Welcome Emily Amor!

 We rejoice and praise God for the birth of our beautiful baby girl, Emily Amor Becker.  She was born July 6, 2013 at 2:12 a.m. at home in the Philippines.  She weighed 8 pounds 9 ounces--my biggest baby!

I have an album on my Facebook page if you would like to see more pictures.  I am "Jessica Nell Becker".

 Papa was the first to catch her and see her looking into his eyes.  This Papa is in love!

 When the boys woke up, they got to meet their sister for the first time!  Now we are the Beckers six!  These guys are thrilled!  Do we really have 4 children?!  What a blessing!

 I love when she looks at me!  What a small live doll!  Thank you, Lord, for so many answers to prayer in her birth and life.  May she trust you, Jesus, at an early age and follow you all her days.

 Emily was named for 4 special people.  My sister, Sarah Emily, who was named for our grandmother, Mary Emily, who was named for her grandmother, Nannie Emily.  Each of these 3 women have/had faith in Jesus Christ which they passed on through the generations.  Amor is love and is also the name of our faithful helper of 4.5 years, who has helped me with all 3 of our boys.

We pray Emily Amor will know the love of God for her and will share that with others.  We pray she will follow in the faith of the women she was named for.

 July 10, 2013--our 8th anniversary.  Our 4th baby is just 4 days old!  Thank you, Lord, for your blessings!

Emily's 3 older brothers love to help their new little sister get dressed.  I love seeing my four children all together.  My Mama heart melts!

To see a great blog post of when the boys first met their sister, visit our student's blog at: http://lightonmylens.blogspot.com/2013/07/emily-amor.html

A Death, A Birth, & A Graduation

 This was a full week, with packing, saying good-bye, finishing up grades and concerts, and writing tons of emails to prepare for our time in the U.S.  To add to the emotional side of the already mixed feelings I felt, my son's 4 year old friend died and was buried.

 It was so sad to see Elijah (pictured in orange) and Jerard's twin brother, James (pictured to E's left) throwing rocks on the grave to help bury their little buddy.  Elijah came with me to one of the viewings, and he really took some time to process Jerard's death.  Then he traced his hand in the guest book and waved good-bye.

 Here is Jerard's little "Barcada", as the Philipinos call it--his group of friends.  Elijah is hugging his friend James.  How sad to have little kids like this have to stand in front of their friend's grave.  Give these little people grace, Lord, and also may they know you love them.

 Then at the opposite end of the emotional spectrum, there was Ate Emelita, ready to give birth any minute.  Some ladies in my Bible study had been gathering clothes to help with her 7th baby (9th pregnancy).  One of our partners in the U.S. sent the money to help pay for her labor and delivery. 

 Just a couple days after the funeral this little guy was born!  I couldn't have been more on a roller-coaster of events!  What a healthy guy!  I got a text that she was in labor.  Then a few minutes later I got another text "Gawas na!", which means he is out already!  I couldn't believe it!  The head started poking out in the taxi, and she waddled in to the doctor at the public hospital just in time for him to slip out with no pain!

 Praise the Lord that I was able to be here, and for His provisions.  This sister in Christ wanted to choose a name that showed how God had blessed him more than any of her other babies, that he would also be a blessing.  Interestingly, before I got there she had already chosen a name: Jesse!  It is very Filipino to name a baby after someone who had a part in the birth.  I am honored! 

 Jesse and Jessica both mean "Wealthy one" or "Blessed one."  Jessica meets Jesse!  Am I ready for a fourth?  Um....let's wait until the big trip around the US with 3 small boys is over to find out if I am ready or not!  Praise the Lord for this bundle!

 Then to end it all, the high school seniors graduated!  This class is extremely special to me because they were once my 6th and 7th grade Bible students.  Through 7 years, Nate and I had the opportunity to invest in them spiritually and intellectually through teaching music and Bible and worship leading.  What a wonderful bunch of kids, many of them hoping to go on in ministry and serving the Lord.

Nate was so handsome in his Filipino barang (the traditional shirt you see the men wearing).  He was invited to give the opening prayer.  I am proud of this man.  Nate, you worked so hard and now you are done with another year!  Thank you, Lord, for this blessing also!  We have so much to praise You for!