7 Months--We love this little guy!

Two little teeth! Don't bite Momma!

Nate and the Philipino Band

One of the ways Nate keeps up his trumpet playing and also forms relationships with local Filipino musicians is to play in this band. They performed the same night as the opening of the new performing arts building, so Nate was exhausted by the end of that week! I was so glad to be able to go watch him perform (as his other performances were late on Sunday nights). I sat in the front row cheering him on. They played for the local public in the "People's Park." What a lovely evening (remember there is no snow or cold here!).

There's my true love. What a happy man! I love hearing him play the trumpet and seeing him having fun with music.

Elijah is proud of his papa! It was a late night for this little guy to stay awake, but it was worth it to hear those brass instruments. Elijah was very content listening to the music. The people around us thought he was like a movie star (they really make me feel like I am with a celebrity when I go around with Elijah! Crazy!).

Date night as a family=) Time for bed, little guy. You're up past your bedtime!

Dedication and Opening of Performing Arts Building

Last Friday was a very special day. It was the dedication ceremony for the opening of the new performing arts center at school. Here is the man who had the vision for the building and listened to tons of input from Nate for the design and plan of the construction. Praise God for our principal and praise God for His provision for this wonderful new facility!

Nate did a great job directing on stage with his band students! I was so proud of him and of course he was proud of them. The sound was wonderful compared to performing outside on the covered court. I could actually hear the beautiful clarinet solo! It is amazing to see how far God has brought the music program since Nate came 4 years ago. We had nothing but drumsticks, but now look what the Lord has done!

Here is the excited audience, and seated in front are the distinguished guests from near and far. It was fun to see the place fill up and be used for God's glory.

The kids were so cute in their little costumes, and the parents were even more funny as they crawled around trying to take pictures. I can understand now more because when Elijah is in the play someday I will be just as crazy as a parent!

Look at these precious kids! I love the colorful costumes. Little Mary and Joseph--so cute! Maybe someday Elijah will be with his little friends up there.

Nate is loved and supported by these two great men--his principal, Alan Farlin, and on Nate's left is Bob Pittman--a very visionary man (who actually helped, with his wife, to get Nate and I together!). Bob mentored Alan and taught him lots--now he has passed on his legacy to Alan and was visiting from Texas to see Alan's vision in reality! Thank you, Lord, that Nate is so supported and encouraged by these men.

Baptism, Buildings and Bouncing

Sunday was a celebration of baptism at church. Many people went forward to follow the Lord in baptism, symbolizing their commitment to follow Christ by dying to sin and trusting Him for salvation. Praise the Lord for this! Two ladies from our bible study (pictured on the right in blue and orange towels) were also baptized. Praise the Lord for their commitment to Christ!

Here we are in front of the sunday school/transformation center building. The church is still raising funds to finish the second and third floors. Pray for God's provision for this.

The first floor is used for sunday school. The second and third floors are planned to be used for outreach to the local community and to train people how to make a living as well as how to live in Christ.

We praise the Lord for His provision at school for the new "performing arts building". On one side is Nate's new band room. What a blessing! There are also three practice rooms for students to use. Nate is loving the new building and all the purposes we can use it for: chapel, worship practice, band class, private lessons and more!

Next to the band room, in the center of the building is the new auditorium! Previously, when we needed to set up a performance, we had some make-shift platforms that we put outside on the basketball court. That was a very tricky thing with the loud rains, the kids playing on the playground and the lighting, seating and sound system. Now look at what God has providied for us to use--to God be the glory!

The dedication of this building is Friday. The workers are laboring hard to finish by then. Nate's room is there on the left and the auditorium is pictured on the right. (Not pictured is another elementary music room/vocal music room on the right and a drama room). Again, this is a huge blessing from God. Praise Him for His provision! Pray for the opening performances and ceremonies of dedication on Friday. Nate is working hard to prepare his students (as you can see from the picture above taken today).

A bonus picture--Elijah joyfully jumping in the baby bouncer. I love this little guy. He is actually bouncing right now as I blog--what a joyful boy. He is like a little frog. Jump, jump, jump!

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!