Paradise Get-Away

Saturday, the day after Elijah's big birthday, we leisurely got ready and went on a little boat over to a nearby island resort. It was special to have family time all together for an overnight. These are unique moments to treasure!

We got to share a duplex with my parents, which had an adjoining porch. What an ideal place! So relaxing and special. I can hardly describe how joyful I felt being there with them and with my husband and son!

Seeing my Dad playing with my son was something I could never stop taking pictures of! I tried to hold back so my dad wouldn't get camera crazy, but these two are precious!

Elijah makes tons of friends everywhere we go. What a social guy!

I also enjoyed watching Elijah experience the water for the first time in his memory (I'm sure he doesn't remember being there for Christmas). He takes it all in so joyfully, splashing, laughing and trying to eat sand.

The one down-side was sharing our room with Elijah. We attempted to close him in behind a curtain in the corner, but he was peeking out and calling to us: "Why are you leaving me in this corner? Get me out of here!" It was so funny to see all his faces and reactions! We ended up skipping his nap for the first time and just taking pictures of him crying--too funny.

Mother's Day! I love our boy! I remember last Mother's Day, Elijah was only a few days old and I was home with our newborn. How special to have a new child just before our first Mother's Day!

Look at that water--ah! Don't you all want to come and visit us?!

This could be you....

Oh, it is great to have Grandma and Grandpa to watch our son while we go out kayaking. I love my husband--these are great times!

After our lunch on the beach we were surprised to find a special performance of native Filipino dances. Very interesting to see.

We praise the Lord for those special times together and for His beautiful creation.

Birthday Party #2--200+kids

That afternoon we went to the local neighbor kids and had a huge party--not really for Elijah, but it was his birthday. Look at my parents--aren't they great!

Tons of kids and neighbors came (this is the same neighborhood where all the house projects below were completed). This is the place we are investing time and love in, so it was a great opportunity to share God's love and fun games with them.

Nate was a great sport with my Mom's slide whistle. The kids were amazed and had never seen it before.

Look at the smiles! My mom has some great ideas. You don't even need language for this one.

Elijah's greatest birthday moment was going in the parachute and having the kids sing HBTY to him as he climbed around. He's clapping with joy here.

This is one of my favorite moments--my dad helping out so much at the party. He was such a servant that day!

My husband and my dad--working together to serve. They are having tons of people line up as they hand 300 snacks out to people (loaded up in 4 big suitcases). What a party!

First Birthday

He's one year old! Look at this little adventuresome boy! I love the new outfit Grandma and Grandpa brought from Gap Kids.

I love his expressions. He's growing fast--that's what they say, so I want to enjoy every moment!

Oh, look at the new Nike shoes, also from the grandparents. It was so funny to see him walk in shoes and to experience them for the first time!

He loves his Mama!

Mommy loves you, too, buddy! Look at this cuddly guy. Not long from now he won't want to cuddle much anymore!

His first present that morning was the outfit above. Fun to have visitors for the birthday.

Indeed I decorated a cake during his nap--does anyone think this resembles Thomas the train?

Birthday party #1 at the playplace with his friend. Great friend, eh, taking her pacifer away!

Here's the party at MacDonalds. Lots of great friends! He did have a melt-down, but I didn't put that pic in here=)

Blowing out the candle--one year boy!

Parents Arrive in Philippines!

Here they are--my loving parents. They came all the way from Omaha for a second visit to the Philippines, this time for Elijah's first birthday (and to see us of course). It was GREAT to have them in our home and to have Elijah getting to know his grandparents.

Here we were showing my parents a tour of the new building and Nate's jazz class. Very nice!

Grandpa and Elijah--bonding moments! Oh I love this pic.

We took them to visit our Filipino friends. Look at this warm welcome (and I mean warm!).

Here is my mom meeting her namesake--Eunice Marilyn. Can you believe Emi named her baby girl after my mom?! Also in the back is the new library that they also got to see. It's fun to share our lives with them first-hand.

Here is the welcome sign they made for my parents. I still can't believe they are here!

A candid photo of Mom getting a tour by Ate Bebe, our language tutor. My mom is walking the streets of the Philippines! What a new experience for her! Doesn't she look like she is really in another country?!

The five (six!) of us had a nice outing to a restaurant on the hilltop, overlooking the city by night. You can see the ocean and the mountains in the distance. It was fun to have one nice dress-up evening and meal out.

My dad blew up tons and tons of baloons for Elijah's party--way to go Dad! Great lungs! My mom and I stayed up late getting the two parties ready and the treats that we would hand out to 300 kids and people.

Elijah was also getting ready for his special day--he loves his red balloon!

Project #3--God Provides House for Sister #12

Since the Adopt-A-Sister program in November, we have been waiting for the money to arrive from the sisters in Canada who adopted Ate Jean. Her prayer was for a house, since she had no house. Finally the money arrived and the work began the week before Easter!

I've never seen her so happy! Here she is on her new land (which I witnessed the transaction for to make sure no one would take her title!). The support is being laid with stones and beams.

Ate Jean practically camped out there watching all the progress to the building. Elijah and I biked there every day to share the joy and also photograph the project so the sisters and their husbands in Canada can see! (You too!). This was also a blessing for the carpenters pictured, since they are also Christians and live in the neighborhood--they were able to earn extra money to provide for their families.

The next day the frame was up and Ate Jean was still there watching with excitement. They have five people plus one relative in their family, and currently they all sleep in one room on a mattress!! That will not do (says the American). Wow, this will be a huge blessing with multiple rooms and two floors.

The other sisters came by to join the fun. Here we are praising GOd with Ate Jean, and here are all the kids who wanted to help build too. The sisters said "Completo na sa panalangin" (The blessings from God are now complete). It was great to have sister #12 finally receiving her answer to prayer.

Doesn't this look so Filipino? I love it. The sun is coming in, the banana leaves are shading, and the panday (builder) is measuring by hand and working hard in the sun.

The roof is up and some walls are up. There are stone blocks for the foundation. Make sure it is high enough so the rain does not flow through.

Elijah is always ready to see what is new. He looks up at the house as if to say, "Wow, good job guys, the work is coming along!"

This is the progress as of today! The cement floor is in, the stairs are up, the kitchen sink is in (no water yet), the amacan walls are up.....

The parents have their own private bedroom here on the first floor with walls and a C.R. just near (so they don't have to go outside).

Here is the C.R. (Comfort room)...right inside the house! The pipes are yet to be laid for the septic tank and they still need water installed.

Upstairs there is a lovely terrace with a beautiful view and nice breeze. I love balconys. This is now one of the nicest homes in the neighborhood. What a testimony to God's gracious provision.

Here we are in one of the three smaller rooms upstairs. NOw there is one for the two girls, one for the older boy and one for the relative. (I can hardly imagine before all of them sleeping on one mattress!)

Here we are outside the house, and Ate Jean is lovingly touching my pregnant belly. Here you can finally see the baby popping out a bit. (20 weeks now)

Ta-da!! Compare this to the picture on the top! Wow, what progress! Praise the Lord for the Canadian sisters and their husbands who shared their blessings with Ate Jean so she and her family can have a home of their own!