Sunday--Village Day

Sunday we woke up very early to take a local bus two hours up the mountain to a village church. My dad keeps commenting, "It feels like we are in Romancing the Stone! There were chickens on our bus, but instead of being on top they were inside the bus. One even sat behind me!"
The people in the village church were so welcoming and friendly. They smiled so big and shook our hands many times. Mom and Dad were so generous and gracious to experience this new culture--the whole service was in another language.
Look at Dad mingling with all the locals! It was so fun to share in worship with our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world.
I love this picture with Dad and this little girl. They are all watching a cultural dance and worshiping God on native instruments. What great fellowship we had!
See if you can spot the foreigners in this picture! What a wonderful day of learning about what God is doing in the mountain. Mom and Dad learned all kinds of things about literacy, translation, and culture. Praise the Lord for bringing us back safely down the mountain for a much-needed rest.

Saturday--Boat Trip

Saturday we took Mom and Dad out on a boat to a nearby island. It was their first time snorkeling! Dad especially liked snorkeling most of the day. Mom and I saw a sea snake! They were both amazed at all of the fish and things they saw in the coral garden--God's creation!
I dove to the bottom to collect some unique starfish to show my parents. They love the ocean and the funny things you can find in there.
Later on the beach my mom and I relaxed together in hammocks in the shade while Dad and Nate played frisbee in the ocean. The local kids giggled as they tried to learn how to throw the strange new object. Dad and Nate did a great job welcoming them and helping them take turns.

Friday--Anniversary, Orphanage and Graduation

Friday was Mom and Dad's 33rd wedding anniversary! Praise the Lord! That afternoon I took Mom to a local orphanage to see the babies and play with them. She is so good with little kids and has a huge heart for the orphans.
I had fun taking pictures and then showing the kids. One boy liked playing with my tripod.
Here's all the beds upstairs where the babies sleep. We were thankful that they had some provisions and that the ladies there took good care of the babies.
That night we went to the high school graduation on the hilltop. What a lovely view of the valley and ocean below. I enjoyed watching my parents mingle and get to know the important people in my life. Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

Thursday--School and Violin Recital

Thursday was a busy day at school for me and Nate. We taught and graded and tied up loose ends. Mom and Dad had a chance to lay low and relax at home. That night we went to a student's senior violin recital. It was fun to have our parents there to support us as we accompanied her on the piano.

Wednesday--Paradise

Wednesday we went to the beach for lunch and leisure. Mom enjoyed the fresh mango shakes!
Dad and I enjoyed the sunshine and the warm water. Father and Daughter together!
That night we went to a nice hotel for dinner. While we had many Filipino choices for dinner like lobster, rice, squid and unknown dishes, Mom and Dad chose pasta and bread.

Tuesday--Grading, Golfing and Dancing

Tuesday Dad got to visit a local golf course with my student's dad. They had a great time exchanging stories and golfing past the native crocodiles.
No one is going to go looking for their lost golf ball in there! "Look at those snappers will you?" (a quote from "Romancing the Stone"--eh, Daniel?)
While Dad was golfing, Mom was inside helping me grade my final exams. It is so nice to have a teacher's assistant here with me! The grading was done twice as fast. Thank you for your hard work, Mumsy!
That night we ate dinner at a local courtyard which presented native cultural dancing and music. This was one of the better shows we've seen and we were thankful for the great costumes and interesting instruments. The dances were beautiful and gave a great taste of native Philippine cultural.
To top off the evening, Nate and I were invited to the stage to join the nationals in the show. Dad was great at grabbing the camera for us to capture this unique experience. "It's all part of the plan!"--it seemed like we had planned that just for my parents to enjoy.

Monday--School and Culture

Monday my parents got up at "six bells", as my dad would say. They were so gracious coming to our school to observe our normal teaching routine. They got to meet our students, see us teach and they even went to a class of their own--Cebuano lessons from Ate Bebe. My dad came prepared with his notes and my mom was eager to practice the new words at their language lesson, "Maayong Buntag!"
It was so encouraging to have Mom and Dad affirming and blessing us in our ministry here. Even though we are so far away from them, they can see that God has really placed us here and has suited us to this ministry.
That night we had many of our Filipino friends over for dinner. It was so fun to hear everyone sharing stories and tidbits about their culture. They were so great to teach my mom and dad about what to expect and what to watch out for. The fellowship was wonderful and memories were definitely made.
This is a classic! Dad with his new Filipino friends--they are getting a taste of our culture with these thoughtful gifts Dad brought--Husker shirts! They are making friends here left and right.

Sunday--Venturing Out

Sunday morning we had a lovely breakfast of french toast and mangos. Then we took my parents in their first Tricicab ride. It is, as my dad describes it, "a motorcycle with a carriage attached." They are such great sports and eager to learn the Philippino ways.
After church we took a passenger ferry to a nearby island. Isn't the scenery lovely! I love sharing this with my parents.
Once we got to the island we hired some guys to take us on their motorcycles across the island. It was so fun to see my mom and dad riding on those things! What an adventure. They certainly are brave.
Aw! There we are together at last in the Philippines. Thank you, God!
My dad and Nate had a fun dive down in the falls. It is great to cool off in this hot land. Bonding is happening here, folks.

We enjoyed the freedom of being able to get right in the falls. When do you ever get to do this!? We are playing and laughing and splish-splashing. God, your gifts are great.

And this is the moment I have been waiting for--putting a hammock up in the jungle for my dad to relax in. Enjoy your vacation!

Saturday--The Best Day of the Year!

Here they are!! My wonderful loving parents. I could not believe my eyes when I saw them walk through the doors of the airport! Nate was waiting excitedly with me as my heart was pounding. "I see a man!...but that's not my dad." "OH! There's someone!!...but that's not them." Finally, I saw my very own dad walk through the doors with a luggage cart!
This is the best moment that I have been praying for and waiting for! An answered prayer--my parents came to visit us in the Philippines. They arrived safely and with much more energy than I ever expected.
After a wild taxi ride home, we gave them the tour and introduced them to new fruit. This is rambutan shells that my mom thought looked like fuzzy glasses. We couldn't show them everything all at once, but we couldn't wait to get them to dive into their Philippine experience.
This was amazing--they packed a whole suitcase just to bring us Christmas in May! They brought all kinds of things for us to use and enjoy. Nate's favorite item is obvious. Praise the Lord for bringing my precious parents here safely.

They're Here!!

Mom and Dad are here in the Philippines!!! I can't believe it. This is the best day of the whole year. I will never forget waiting at the airport and then seeing Dad just come through the door with a luggage cart followed by Mom. "There they are!!"

The reunion was unforgettable. So many hugs and tears. It was the most amazing gift from God! We chatted and they told stories and excitedly looked out the window asking questions. Now they are resting and recovering from jet-lag. They brought me a new camera!! So as soon as I get the software downloaded here I will post the photo of the wonderful reunion. It was Christmas in May today! Thank you, Lord!

They're Coming!!!

I'm teaching a class in ten minutes, but all I can think about is my parents coming!! They are in the air right this moment over the Pacific Ocean. It is unreal. I cannot imagine seeing them here in the Philippines!! It is so hard to believe!

This is such a huge answer to prayer and such a gift from God. I cannot wait to see them. It is even better than Christmas. How am I going to get through this day knowing they are in the air to Asia!? Wow, I am pumped. That is all I can say. THEY'RE COMING SOON!!!

Pray for my parents that they will be healthy and safe as they are here visiting us. Pray that we will have some special family time and that we will make lots of great memories together. I hope they love it here!

Also it is Nate's Mom's birthday today! Happy Birthday to my other Mom!! Yay!! What a great day. You'd think it was Mother's Day all over again.

So happy birthday to one Mom and I'll see you soon to my other Mom and to my Dad! !

Praise the Lord for this great day!

Concert Time Again

Here's some pics from Friday's middle school concert. We love to praise God with music. Last night was also our high school vocal music concert. It started downpouring so loud I wasn't sure we'd be able to hear, but the rain died down just in time for the concert. Thank you for praying for us--pray we will finish the school year strong.

Our First Visitors

We were so excited to have our first visitors this past week! Trisha and Michelle arrived last Friday morning, and from that point the fun never stopped until they left Wednesday night. What a joy to have friends from America come to give us encouragement and a taste of home.
Their first day we took them out on the ocean to go snorkeling. We found some crazy starfish and they tried to get some sun.
Sunday we all hopped on three motorcycles and toured the rural areas of a nearby island.
On the other side of the island were these gorgeous falls! We had a blast playing in the water and taking loads of photos. It was fun to mix our friendship groups together.
Of course we also got to relax together in hammocks. Don't we look like nature-girls?!

Once they left I was so sad and grieving! I had so much fun with Trisha and Michelle and also seeing them get to know Nate more and vice-versa. It seemed so empty once they were gone.

I think I am soon going to recover and be back to "normal" because tonight is our middle school concert! Thank you, Lord, for great friends and for this past week! You are so gracious!