Fever During 4 Hour Power Out

Malachi Fans Feverish Elijah during a 4-hour power out

This post is a request for PRAYER!

Please be fervent in your prayer for us today and this week.

Today Elijah was home sick with a fever.  On top of this the power was out for 4 hours straight.  Poor hot guy!

Malachi was sweet to fan him and to sing praise songs to him.

BUT
what makes me sad is to think he might miss his own birthday party on Thursday!  He will be 6 years old!  This post will be old news in 2 days, but today if you read it, please pray for us!

I have been fighting the good fight of the faith today, as Paul urges us in Timothy.  It has been a fight.  These rotational power cuts have been a struggle for me.  Last night they cut us out midnight to 1 a.m.  It's one thing to lay hot in bed awake, but it is another thing to have to wake up and care for the kids who are looking for flashlights and screaming in shock that the power is off.

We do have one rechargable fan, which I gave to Elijah (it obviously didn't last for this feverish morning we had today).  Thankfully Emily sleeps peacefully through them.  And Nate is blessed with great sleep too!  Yeah!  So it is me and the 2 middle boys who are losing sleep over these things.

PRAY FOR RAIN!

Tonight I started to cry when I heard the tap tap tapping of the rain on our tin roof.  AH!  Yes!  When the rain comes then the hydroelectric whatever thingy they need to fill the dam water supply will give us enough for the electricity.  Thank you, Father, for rain!

Oh, the rain stopped right now, but keep praying!  I didn't shower yet tonight, why?  Because they shut the water off too.

Emily's 2 teeth came in!  10 months old today!

I know these things are just luxuries, but they still do make my days more of a challenge.  I have been zapped from the heat with energy and am feeling weak.  Please pray for me to persevere and to keep my eyes on Jesus.

On a cute and positive note, today was Emily's 10 month birthday!  She is such a peaceful doll and such a delight!  Her 2 bottom teeth finally poked through this month!  Wow!  Praise the Lord for that little blessing!

Emily 5 months

 November 6, 2013 Emily Amor is 5 months!  What a growing lady.

 I love her blue eyes with those purple flowers.  Thanks, Aunt Martha, for this dress!  I saved it until today for her 5 month pictures.  It has been hanging on the curtain rod since you mailed it.

 Mom, we are still using the Phil and Ted stroller!  Now Emily can sit in the front seat!

 Smiles!!!  Mom, here's another outfit from you--thank you!

Nate and I bring Emily on our dates.  Here they are today--precious!

 Here's a little bonus picture that Elijah's teacher took of their class on the day of the 5.5 earthquake last week.  Notice the 2 chairs that moved out of their place while the class was evacuating the room.  I was on the field for my morning run when I saw the whole earth moving.  "He's got the whole world in his hands."

Luke is a precious 2-year-old boy!  Papa hands him a candle during the Christmas party last night.  "Silent Night."  Lord, may each of our children grow to love you more and trust you as Savior.

Emily 4 Months

 Emily is a growing girl!  We love her so much!  Thank you, Lord, for our baby girl!

Here is Emily on her 4 month birthday (Nov. 6).  What a doll!

 Emily's sisters in life will be her sisters-in-Christ!  Here she is with Janae (8 months--left), chatting about how fun it is to wear matching outfits!  I couldn't believe they each had the same shirt!  (Thanks, Grandma!).

 2 Mamas and 2 Baby girls--double blessing!  2 sets of friends!

 I have to take her picture every day--she is growing so fast!  Here are a few from earlier this month.

 All 4 of our kids sat in this same seat--what a great purchase!

 Pretty dresses are fun!

Meanwhile we are trying to potty train Luke.  Big boy!

Emily's Dedication

 On Emily's 3 month birthday (Oct. 6) we celebrated her dedication to the Lord at church.  We committed to raise her in a family that exalts Jesus, and we prayed that she would choose to follow Jesus at a young age and follow him all her days.

 Our pastor welcomed her into our church family and prayed for her.

 In the Philippines there are always "ninongs and ninangs", who are like "god-parents".  Our friends also committed to help us teach Emily about Jesus.  It is so special to me to see this picture, because at Malachi's and Luke's dedication the same people were also there.  They  have become like our family.

 I sang a "song of dedication" while Nate played the piano.  You can see a video of it on Facebook!  I got all emotional and shaky, so my voice did not work for me, but it touched Malachi's heart so much that he came on stage and started kissing his sister's feet.  Precious!

 Emily is 3 months.  Thank you, Lord, for our daughter!  I love this dress!  My sister Sarah Emily gave this to us before she was born.  You may have seen pictures of it hanging on her curtains.  I saved it just for this occasion.  What a doll!

 Here are the 3 boys before church practicing how to stand nicely during the dedication.  I love each one's expression!

 After church we had a big lunch at our house.  Here is the kids' table.  They are waiting to get their food.

 Our pastor's wife in white, and her mother beside me joined us for the celebration meal.  Also our assistant pastor's wife is pictured here with Emily.  It is a great reason to join together for a meal in community.

Joy was also there!  You remember she is our beloved midwife, who helped with the births of Malachi, Luke and Emily.  We think she is the best midwife in the entire world!

"Lord we dedicate
Yes we consecrate
our daughter to you
For your purposes
for your perfect plan
For all the things you'll have her do
Lord we give back to you this child you've given us
For she belongs to you
She's just a loan of love
A gift from above
And we give her back to You."

Please pray for Emily Amor, that she will come to know Jesus at an early age and follow Him all her days.  Pray that through her many people will come to know the love of God for us all in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Chapel and Soccer

 Elijah has been loving soccer after school on Wednesdays and Fridays.  He is such an active guy and puts all his energy into it.  I love this action shot!  My boy is growing up!

 I love this action shot with Elijah and one of his best friends, Sojo.  Thank you, Lord, for friends and fun!

 I love my little doll Emily too!  This little blue dress really brings out her eyes.  What a thoughtful girl!

 Elijah's class led the chapel this week.  He was Noah!  I pray that he will also follow the Lord in faith, as Noah in the Bible did.

 It blessed my heart to see Elijah praising the Lord with his friends.  "Hallelujah, your love makes me sing!"

Here is the Kindergarten class leading worship.  Praise the Lord!

Emily 2 months--American Citizen

 Emily is ready to celebrate Malachi's birthday!  What a cute party dress!

 On her 2 month birthday, Emily was in Manila for her visit to the US Embassy.  I LOVE the little doll dress my mom sent her, which I saved for this occasion!

 Darling!!  Ready to report her birth abroad!

 Thumbs up!  Emily's US citizenship was approved!  Here we are in Manila just beyond the US Embassy, in the exact same place with the exact same sling we used when we took Luke here 2 years ago.  Funny to find ourselves here with our fourth child, a girl!

 The lovely couple =)  We love you, Emily!

 The next day we took the boys swimming for family day (since we had to leave right after Malachi's birthday for the airport).  I can't help it!  She is such a doll!!  She is learning to smile, and she has dimples!  Adorable!

One of my favorite pics of Emily--her first time to the ocean!  The waves scared/surprised her, but she recovered.

Our Kids Lately

 I haven't had much time on the computer lately.  I've mostly been holding my precious baby!!  My hands are not free, or if I do open the computer it seems like I get interrupted before I can even finish writing half an email.  I had to wake up at 5 a.m. just to post these pictures before the kids wake up.  I am loving the time with my kids, though!  The days will pass only too quickly.

Mom, I posted this pic for you so you can see the lovely quilt under Emily.  Perfect!  Also, isn't she a doll?!

 I love looking at the little dresses Emily will soon be wearing.  I can't decide which one she should wear for which occasions!  Now with a girl in the family I don't just think about my outfits but hers too!  (The boys are easy--just throw on any shirt and shorts--Haha!).  Thanks to those special people who mailed these darling dresses!

 Emily's eye color is now showing more.  I think they are blue!  (That leaves me and Malachi as the only brown-eyed people in the family).  Mom, also notice the cute blanket!

 Malachi loves baking and cooking.  Here is his play-dough cake.  He is excited for his birthday next week!  Stay tuned for 4th birthday photos.  He is having fun being the oldest at home, though he misses  Elijah now that he is in school.  What a transition for us!

 Here I am with my girl--matching girls.  Oh, did I mention I love having a girl?!  I didn't know I'd love it so much, since I really wanted my boys, but it IS fun and it IS different!  Thank you, Lord!

 I had been praying about Elijah's behavior and respect for his teacher at school.  I wasn't really sure how he would do!  I was praising God that his first week he got "King of the Week" for how well he did.  What a surprised Mama I was, but of course also proud and thankful.  What a cute little Kindergarten boy.  Growing up!

 Little Luke spends his time collecting "creatures" around the house.  I couldn't believe he found 23 of these little things.  I even had dreams about them crawling all over me.  Yuck!  What a fun boy.

 Of course Elijah gave his brothers a turn to wear his crown.  Luke really looks up to his oldest brother, Elijah.  What a cute little boy.

 Even Emily got a turn wearing the crown.  Elijah loves his little sister!

 Nate and I usually have our dates on Saturday mornings.  We like going to the coffee shop and playing a game or chatting over breakfast.  Emily gets to come with us, and she has been quite peaceful these weeks.

 Here is a common vision I have of our little lady--sleeping peacefully with perfectly drawn lips.  Erin, I use those swaddling wraps every single day!  Thanks again!!  So cozy.

Luke is now getting used to not being the baby anymore.  He wants to be like his brothers and be the "driver."  He invited his little friend, Ella, over to play.  She is holding the bucket with the "creatures" and he is giving her a ride.  So fun!

I don't have many photos of Nate teaching since I am home mostly with the boys.  I'll have to find some that students took or get some myself one of these days.

Thanks for your prayers for us!