10 Month Photo Shoot

Warning: Lots of photos to follow! I included all my favorite ones especially for my mom, who I know will study every detail.

Elijah turned 10 months on March 8th! What a fun boy! He now has six teeth, can stand by himself, and tries to walk fast when holding someone's hand. He eats lots of things (I couldn't resist letting him try mango!), and he sleeps through the night in his own room!
He loves to help Mama with the diapers. What is so fun about waiving cloths in the air?

We go everywhere together and still get lots of attention on the bike--his little chariot!

Elijah loves to praise the Lord with Papa. He is claping along with everyone else.

Learning to stand and walk.

Determined expressions--little explorer.

"Oooh," he often makes that face. I love his little hands and those beautiful eyes.

Two little buddies. Nice sharing, boys!

He loves to play at the park with Mama and the other kids.

A great place to practice walking.

What a joyful boy!

"Let's go fast, Mama!" Soon he'll be running!

Curious boy, he loves to eat leaves and rocks.

The moms thought it would be a fun photo, but the kids....I'm not so sure about this.

Wheelbarrow fun.....fun?

These two buddies are destined to be friends! How great to have another little boy around.

First track and field day---run, Elijah! What a fun little guy.

Bands of Blessing

Last Friday night was the band concert, called "Bands of Blessing". Nate did such a great job as the director! Here is his high school jazz band class. It was fun for them to have him playing trumpet with them.

Notice the Suzaphone (sp?) in the background--a huge gift from some of our principal's supporters. I'm still amazed at all that God has provided since we first came. Now we even have an auditorium and stage!

Here are two of Mr. Becker's students playing a special number. The musicians are making such beautiful sounds!

Here is a balcony view of our new auditorium. Wow! What a difference from our concerts on wooden platforms on the basketball court! Thank you, Lord!

Beginning band students--they sounded really good. One mother heard her daughter practicing and said to her friend, "I don't think she is ever going to play that clarinet," but here she is in concert! I can't help but be so proud of Nate for all his work making beginners into a band! Thank you, Lord, for these blessings!

Fun Family Pics

Nate and I were finally able to have a date out on the town. It was very fun to have special time together just as a couple. Elijah was happy to play with his Ate while we went out.

Elijah loves his Papa and as you can see, Papa loves to chill with his boy!

"What is this? VEGETABLES?" We tried but were not so good at getting him to eat his broccoli! Look at that little face!

Fun boy--he loves to play piano, especially when Mommy and Daddy are trying to play duets. He doesn't want to be left out of the family fun!

Look at those little teeth! Elijah is learning to walk all around the place! He is a little cruiser! This is one of my favorite outfits from Grandma and Grandpa Becker.

Precious! These two are such a pair!

Elijah is so curious about the drums! When we go to Papa's class, he always crawls straight to the drums and wants to have lessons.

"I've got to make my way to the drumsticks!"

Soon he'll be walking without those chairs. He is a jolly joyful boy.

He now has six teeth, which he loves to bite Mama's leg with! I'm trying to teach him not to do that, but it's not sinking in yet.

Outdoor Education--Jungle Survival

Here's Mr. Becker and his OE squad. They bonded and learned lots together. I only have a few pics because I was not the photographer. One of his students had a camera and I got these from her facebook, (thanks, Hannah).

The theme was Jungle Survival. Nate and I led a squad three years ago here, so I can totally picture it. There is so much to learn in the jungle!

Random airplane picture--I did not know about this singing performance until I found this picture on facebook!

Mr. Becker's students help him over the wall. They learned lots of teambuilding and teamwork.

Students in the airport--where else can you go with your whole middle school on a plane for a trip? Pretty cool!

Mr. Becker is there in the background watching his students working together.

The old Subic military base is now a camp where they all stayed. It is like barracks.

Learning how to make fire with bamboo. It's amazing how many things you can do with bamboo.

Here is what they ate in the jungle. What is it??? All served on a bamboo plate with a bamboo spoon. Yum!

Lovely Philippine ocean. Here the whole school went to an outdoor adventure to watch dolphins and other sea animals in a show.

Taoism and Gardens

There were TONS of people actually worshiping at this Taoist temple. It was unreal to see all the different things happening. Here are people getting incense to burn for prayers.

Bowing in worship, to who?

Idols in the background with leaders in the front. Look at their ornate costumes! Candles on the floor, objects of worship, instruments (gong, drum, cymbal), chanting...people bowing, food at the feet of idols, people collecting money and writing something in a book...what does it all mean? This was brand new to me (I think there is a website www.shchm.org). I need to learn more.

Bowing to idols/gods? How many gods are there? What are their beliefs? I just observed taking it all in.

Elijah is very sleepy--what is happening in this place?

A monk? Leader? What a costume! And what is that stick for?

The ribbons tied had writing on them--prayers? This woman is praying to those gods...this is very sad to me. Wow, people were everywhere bowing to idols and gods. I guess it is hard to believe in an invisible God--only ONE--if you were raised in a culture like this.

Do you want to offer food to this pair of statues? Why is his face red? Why the long beard?

Outside the temple was a lovely garden. Much more fresh air here (no incense). I set Elijah down and, bam, there was a crowd. People loved to meet him. What a fun boy.

It really felt Chinese in these places. How funny to see Elijah in a stocking cap! I hardly recognized him in his winter clothes. Around the corner was a Starbucks where I had hot chocolate while Elijah napped. Not very Chinese, but they did greet us "Nee-how!"