Visiting, Sharing, and Adventures

I took my mom to visit Lin-Lin and her kids. It was fun for her to see their house and to meet her kids. On the right is Lin-Lin's mom, who was visiting from the mountain. Both Lin-Lin and I got to have our moms for Mother's Day!

Later we went to see where Emi used to live. This is the C.R. "Should I use it? Hmmm...."

"THIS is it? I don't think so." This is the one C.R. that is shared by a whole clump of families, living on planks out into the sea. I cannot describe it all here. It is too intense.

Elijah: "Follow me as we tour the Philippines."

All along here you will find rooms, each one occupied by a different family. It is like a college dorm in some ways, but in other ways totally different!

Does this picture say it all? My mom was having quite the adventure and cultural experience. Here is Emi, our tour guide.

My mom handed out fruit to all the people and kids we passed. What a day we had riding different things like trikes, bikes, taxis and walking. My mom is getting to really fit in here. She can even speak the language a bit!

And then back to our "other" world, on the street where I live. It is fun to just have these quiet moments with Grandma.

Can you spot my mom in this picture? We are attending the Elementary chapel where Nate is leading worship. There are many different aspects to our life and ministry here, as you can see by the tour my mom is taking here!

And here is another fun birthday outfit that Elijah got from Grandma and Grandpa. He loves to eat rocks.

I like the natural shots.

We are up to Thursday morning. Later I can post more pictures of our adventures in the Philippines, but for now I need to get Elijah to bed and give my mom a chance to email all her experiences to the fam!

For the Fam

This is a post for the fam, mostly. It is the best way I can share pics with my sister and with Grandma and Grandpa Becker abroad. I love this one of Elijah! Look at those eyes!

I am putting this on for Grandma and Grandpa Becker. We had fun opening the package from you! Thank you! Here is the stuff you sent from America--it made it! Elijah loves those little animals that make sounds.

This one is for my sister and her fam. Sarah, you know what this is for!

"Peter, Clara, Jonas...I love my cousins. I miss you! Thank you for the presents--I love it!"

This is our good-bye! So sad to part with my dad, but very very good that he was able to come for a week! My mom is still here (total of 21 days). A blessing to have them both here. From this picture on, the journey continues with my mom. I love you, Dad! Thanks so much for coming!!!!

Paradise Get-Away

Saturday, the day after Elijah's big birthday, we leisurely got ready and went on a little boat over to a nearby island resort. It was special to have family time all together for an overnight. These are unique moments to treasure!

We got to share a duplex with my parents, which had an adjoining porch. What an ideal place! So relaxing and special. I can hardly describe how joyful I felt being there with them and with my husband and son!

Seeing my Dad playing with my son was something I could never stop taking pictures of! I tried to hold back so my dad wouldn't get camera crazy, but these two are precious!

Elijah makes tons of friends everywhere we go. What a social guy!

I also enjoyed watching Elijah experience the water for the first time in his memory (I'm sure he doesn't remember being there for Christmas). He takes it all in so joyfully, splashing, laughing and trying to eat sand.

The one down-side was sharing our room with Elijah. We attempted to close him in behind a curtain in the corner, but he was peeking out and calling to us: "Why are you leaving me in this corner? Get me out of here!" It was so funny to see all his faces and reactions! We ended up skipping his nap for the first time and just taking pictures of him crying--too funny.

Mother's Day! I love our boy! I remember last Mother's Day, Elijah was only a few days old and I was home with our newborn. How special to have a new child just before our first Mother's Day!

Look at that water--ah! Don't you all want to come and visit us?!

This could be you....

Oh, it is great to have Grandma and Grandpa to watch our son while we go out kayaking. I love my husband--these are great times!

After our lunch on the beach we were surprised to find a special performance of native Filipino dances. Very interesting to see.

We praise the Lord for those special times together and for His beautiful creation.

Birthday Party #2--200+kids

That afternoon we went to the local neighbor kids and had a huge party--not really for Elijah, but it was his birthday. Look at my parents--aren't they great!

Tons of kids and neighbors came (this is the same neighborhood where all the house projects below were completed). This is the place we are investing time and love in, so it was a great opportunity to share God's love and fun games with them.

Nate was a great sport with my Mom's slide whistle. The kids were amazed and had never seen it before.

Look at the smiles! My mom has some great ideas. You don't even need language for this one.

Elijah's greatest birthday moment was going in the parachute and having the kids sing HBTY to him as he climbed around. He's clapping with joy here.

This is one of my favorite moments--my dad helping out so much at the party. He was such a servant that day!

My husband and my dad--working together to serve. They are having tons of people line up as they hand 300 snacks out to people (loaded up in 4 big suitcases). What a party!

First Birthday

He's one year old! Look at this little adventuresome boy! I love the new outfit Grandma and Grandpa brought from Gap Kids.

I love his expressions. He's growing fast--that's what they say, so I want to enjoy every moment!

Oh, look at the new Nike shoes, also from the grandparents. It was so funny to see him walk in shoes and to experience them for the first time!

He loves his Mama!

Mommy loves you, too, buddy! Look at this cuddly guy. Not long from now he won't want to cuddle much anymore!

His first present that morning was the outfit above. Fun to have visitors for the birthday.

Indeed I decorated a cake during his nap--does anyone think this resembles Thomas the train?

Birthday party #1 at the playplace with his friend. Great friend, eh, taking her pacifer away!

Here's the party at MacDonalds. Lots of great friends! He did have a melt-down, but I didn't put that pic in here=)

Blowing out the candle--one year boy!

Parents Arrive in Philippines!

Here they are--my loving parents. They came all the way from Omaha for a second visit to the Philippines, this time for Elijah's first birthday (and to see us of course). It was GREAT to have them in our home and to have Elijah getting to know his grandparents.

Here we were showing my parents a tour of the new building and Nate's jazz class. Very nice!

Grandpa and Elijah--bonding moments! Oh I love this pic.

We took them to visit our Filipino friends. Look at this warm welcome (and I mean warm!).

Here is my mom meeting her namesake--Eunice Marilyn. Can you believe Emi named her baby girl after my mom?! Also in the back is the new library that they also got to see. It's fun to share our lives with them first-hand.

Here is the welcome sign they made for my parents. I still can't believe they are here!

A candid photo of Mom getting a tour by Ate Bebe, our language tutor. My mom is walking the streets of the Philippines! What a new experience for her! Doesn't she look like she is really in another country?!

The five (six!) of us had a nice outing to a restaurant on the hilltop, overlooking the city by night. You can see the ocean and the mountains in the distance. It was fun to have one nice dress-up evening and meal out.

My dad blew up tons and tons of baloons for Elijah's party--way to go Dad! Great lungs! My mom and I stayed up late getting the two parties ready and the treats that we would hand out to 300 kids and people.

Elijah was also getting ready for his special day--he loves his red balloon!