We Are Ready

 Here we are on June 1st, with just a few weeks to go!  We are SO excited to meet our baby girl!  As of today I am 39 weeks (no photo...feeling huge and slow!).  I feel her moving and kicking, but still she is cozy inside!

 Happy Father's Day, Papa!!  We love you!!  These fun guys are also so excited to meet their sister (and Papa his daughter!).

 What silly faces!  Elijah likes to be funny and then see the picture of himself.  Papa joined in the drama fun.

 Malachi helped me organize the baby's clothes.  He had fun trying on the duckie hat =)  Funny boy!

 The 3 boys put their blankies under their shirts in their "wombs", and we all lined up here ready to give birth.  These fun boys are excited!  Can you believe I am a mother of 4?!  Nope, even I can hardly believe it.

Here is our baby girl's room!!!  It is the first time I have ever prepared a room for the baby.  Usually the baby sleeps in our room for 6-9 months--yikes!  This time we thought we'd try something new so we can keep our normal routine in the other room.

When I go in here I feel an emptiness, an ache longing to hold my baby.  She is not here yet!  I miss her!!  Yet, I am joyful to know she is coming soon.  I know she is inside me and she is with me, and I don't know when she is coming, but I LOVE HER!  I can't wait to meet her!

This really reminded me last night of Jesus.  I know He is with me, I know He is real and is coming soon, but I don't know when!  I love Him and long to see him face-to-face!

1 Peter 1.8 "Though you have not seen him, you love him;

and even though you do not see him now,

you believe in him and are filled

with an inexpressible and glorious joy..."

First Ever Davao Orchestra Camp

 Thanks to everyone who prayed for us and helped to sponsor the first ever Davao Orchestra Camp.  Here is Mr. Becker greeting the students and helping to get the camp started.

 We praise God more than 80 students registered for the camp.  Many of them were Filipinos to mix in with some of our Faith students.  We also praise God for scholarships for many of them.  Pictured in front are the 2 directors:  Mr. Becker and Dr. Garcia.  What a blessing that Nate got to work together with this wonderful Californian, who shared his time, talents, raised his own support and shared his original compositions for the music.

 Here are the 2 directors listening to the lovely pregnant lady (me), while I helped give out the thank you gifts at the final concert.  I am proud of my husband!

 Each day there were sectionals for the various instruments.  We also praise God for the many volunteers who helped us during the week to teach and lead the camp.

 Here is Dr. Garcia conducting one of the two orchestras.

The last day of camp we had a huge concert.  There were so many students and instruments that we seated them where the audience normally sits and put the audience on the stage.  I like how Nate is in the middle of this picture, taken from the balcony.  We're praying and hoping to be able to do it again next year!

36 Weeks and a Date

 Nate and I are excited to meet our first daughter soon!  Here we are at 36 weeks ready for our special date.  (As of today's writing I am now 37 weeks!).

 Some friends invited us to a lovely French restaurant for a "dinner for a cause", which was to put a new roof on a school that got ruined in the typhoon.  The menu was rolled up like a scroll, tied with a lovely ribbon.

No photo of the appetizers, but it was:
Hot Chili Gambas (no idea what that was)
Salmon Mousse with Caramelized Rhubarb (never ate Rhubarb while in the Philippines before!)
Homemade Cured Tuna

 First Course:
Neptune Mousseline of Surgeon Fish, Gindara & Bangus Belly
Adorned with Crab Veloute' Sauce
Complimented with French Green Beans & Rice Pilaf
a la Jean Pierre Dujay Chef de Cuisine

 Second Course:
Roasted Pork Rack with Ginger Scent
Infused with Herbs de Provence and Palawan Honey
Sauteed Apples in Calvados Brandy
Marbled Potatoes & Buttered Vegetables
a la Jean Francois Lacassagne Chef de Cuisine

 Dessert:
Souffle Glace au Grand Marnier

It was better than a wedding reception.  What interesting titles and tastes for the food!  Nate and I had a lovely time relaxing and enjoying the restored mansion where the restaurant recently was moved.

After dinner we enjoyed lovely live music by a piano player (Mozart, Chopin and Debussy); mixed with a "Voce Octava" (8 voices) opera style!  We heard excellent vocal music written from all around the world...what an international night!

 "Buntis"=Pregnant in Cebuano.  Cute little baby belly!  Feeling bigger and more ready!

A picture of me not on a date, not dressed up, and with all 3 boys.  Do I look different?! (Answer: Yes, more tired and no make-up!).  These guys are excited to meet their sister!

Joy, our wonderful midwife, who helped with the birth of Malachi and Luke...now checking the baby with the 3 boys "helping".  Precious moments!

We're thankful to God that the baby's head is down, the heartbeat and ultrasound are all good, and there are no concerns at this point!  Pray for a safe and healthy delivery! sometime around July 2nd!