Maayong Pasko!

"Maayong Pasko!"--Merry Christmas! It is time to decorate for Elijah's first Christmas! Look at this little guy! He is ready for fun. He wants to eat the green paper and help put up his special ornament given by Aunt Sarah while he was still in the womb last year.

It's definitely more fun to get ready for Christmas when you have children around. How fun to introduce Elijah to the ornaments and the bows. He wants to eat everything! May he one day know the reason for the season--Jesus Christ! A Savior is born--Emmanuel--God with us!

"Look at this guy!" That is something we say a lot as we enjoy watching Elijah grow. He loves to study his little baby words: eye, hand, foot, legs!

Ah, we love our boy. He is precious. Elijah is eating his little food: squash, potatoes, oatmeal, carrots, and rice. He is almost sitting alone, but I don't want him to fall sideways and bonk his head. He tries crawling like a little worm, but he gets annoyed when he can't go where he wants. He misses you all! Thanks for praying for us!

Journey to Contentment

For 12 weeks the 12 ladies met at our house for a Bible study: "Calm My Anxious Heart--A Woman's Guide to Finding Contentment" by Linda Dillow. I met with Emi on Fridays to teach her in English, and then Wednesday she would lead it in Cebuano. Ladies lives were transformed, scripture was memorized, and their husbands grew more hungry to know God as a result of seeing their lives.

The ladies performed a beautiful native worship dance for their husbands. They were singing about how they want to be godly wives and mothers for the Lord.

At the end, the husbands stood beside their wives as they committed their way to the Lord. The women want to live lives of contentment and joy by the Word and the Spirit. It was such a blessing that ALL 12 husbands came to support their wives, even though some of them do not yet know the Lord personally.

Here is the fun group! I was so thankful for what God did to bring these people into our lives. May the Lord continue to help everyone live out what they learned, especially me!

We don't really celebrate American Thanksgiving here, but we did have quite a feast on Sunday after the special event. We had a Filipino favorite--lechon baboy (roasted pig). They also made other specialties like Buko salad (coconut salad), kinilaw (raw fish with vegetables), and a very rare dish made from the pig's blood. I think Elijah wonders if the pig is still alive!

Precious Moments

Look at these two! Observe the new backpack (a hand-me-down from some generous friends of ours here). Also observe the Penn State fans--like Father like son!

Precious moments with Papa! Strong loving arms of a Father...what a picture of our heavenly Father holding us as we rest peacefully in His arms.
Taking after his Mama--a theology student. Curious, a learner...this boy is quite a student!

"I miss you all! Come visit!"

God Gave Grandpa 90 Years!

Psalm 61.5 "You have given me the heritage of those who fear your name."
I love my grandpa! God has blessed him with many years as you can see from the blaze. I wish I had been there to celebrate! What a faithful man. You can read his memoirs by clicking the link to the left "Roger's remembrances." God has let him see his children's children's children. May he live to see many more!

I love my family! Thanks for the pics, Sarah and Uncle Keith! Love you all! J

Elijah is 6 Months!

Look at this big boy--he's growing by leaps and bounds! I feel like he grew up overnight! He is trying to eat rice here for the first time. He doesn't really like rice cereal, so we'll try the real thing.

Here is a common expression of Elijah. He is teething and likes to say "Mgg...mmmgggg" while making this face.

"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news." May Elijah Samuel one day be the messenger of the Lord in bringing the good news about Jesus to others. Look at those toes!

These are precious moments I treasure up in my heart. Elijah puts his little hand there and rests so sweetly. It was quite a tricky thing taking this picture by myself putting my left arm up and trying to get the right angle--without waking him up!

Lord, thank you for our boy and the joy of raising him!

Who can resist a sleeping baby. Is he a baby anymore? He seems like a big boy, with his own thoughts and ideas....except when he cries. Then I think, "You're such a baby!"

This guy is so full of joy and laughter. It is just making our hearts melt to hear him laugh. On Nov. 8th, his 6 month birthday, I got to put on his new little outfit (saved from gifts in the U.S.). We then went to the ladies' retreat and everyone was glad to see him!

He is becoming his own little person. Everyone says it goes fast, so I am going to soak in every moment. At first I used to not want to blog pictures of Elijah because I was afraid it would become the "Elijah blog", not the Becker blog. Yet, I now am thinking, "Hey, these are precious moments that I want to share with my friends and family afar. Why should I keep these pictures to myself?" I hope it is okay...now I understand why mothers put so much about their kids on their blogs. Who can resist?!
Mama and baby. This week was the first time I left Elijah with a baby-sitter. I cried when I left! After being with him almost constantly for 6 months straight, it was quite a separation for me. Yet I also felt so strange, "Where is your baby?" When people asked me I almost burst into tears again. At first you think, "When am I going to have my own time?" but now I know it will come all too quickly. I will just enjoy these moments and praise God for each day.

I love sharing this boy with Nate! What a blessing!

Well, folks, that was a lot of pictures of Elijah. You are free to skim past them, but this is a big part of my life now, so why should I keep him to myself! I'll admit it--I'm a crazy mom and I'm crazy about our boy! Praise God for 6 months--a healthy boy!

Recently--Random

Nate's high school music students just had a performance on Friday in his new band room. They did a great job! Mr. Becker himself even performed with the class on his trumpet using mute for "Pachabell's Canon." Lovely! I was so proud of him! The most fun for Elijah was seeing his papa play the drums. I've been really enjoying getting to know the Cebuano ladies more this year! They love Elijah--calling him "Upaw" "Calbo" or bald. See if you can spot him in the picture! We don't want that little white head to burn in the sun!

Elijah loves his papa. He wants to be just like daddy! Look at those shoes--silly boy! Precious.

Elijah loves time with mama in the rocking chair. After his morning nap I always teach him to spend time in God's Word daily. I want him to be able to say along with Timothy "From Infancy I have known the Scriptures."

P.S.!! Elijah has a new cousin! Caleb Andrew was born on October 30th in Ohio to Nate's sister, Jessica and her husband, Tim. Praise the Lord!