Monkey Boy at the Market

Elijah LOVES bananas. He can eat four or five a day, and in big bites.

I love that monkey outfit from Mrs. S--it suits him perfectly. Banana boy!

The green guys--I love you two!

Market discoveries--what is that huge thing? It is a jackfruit with rubbery pieces inside. Share it for sure, but don't smell it.

Mama loves you, son! You love bananas!

Always pointing to something new..."What do you see, buddy?"

Becker fam at the market--so much great fruit!

Elijah is picking out a flower for Mama's anniversary--so sweet! (pay no attention to that dude in black...rather notice the lady in pink's smile)

Sweet boy!! Getting flowers for Mama on her anniversary! "Thank you, Elijah!"

Summer Fun

Such a little explorer. Tropical Adventures.

Elijah loves the water. What a fun place to explore!

Precious moments with Papa. Keep that sun off!

For my mom--Elijah is pulling the froggy now!

Joyful boy--loves balls and playing on Mama and Papa's bed every day.

Little musician playing the Chinese flute.

One of his favorite animals--the rooster. We have lots by our house, so he likes to go visit them often.

Sometimes he gets too close and they come unlatched from their string! Chaos breaks out in the rooster pen.

Fun little friend, Sojo. He even knows which house is hers when we pass by.

The next little Becker guy inside! Pray for Elijah's new brother coming soon!

Last Week and Graduation

School ended last week. I loved attending Nate's final exam with his jazz class. They invited other students and parents so they could teach what they had learned. It made jazz and music seem so fun to everyone. Mr. Becker really taught them a lot in one semester!

Of course they played, too. I can never resist a picture of my man playing trumpet along with his students. I'm proud of him! What a great use of his gifts for the glory of God.

My special class of 2009 graduated on Thursday. Jordanna learned piano in two years, so here she is performing at graduation! I'm so proud of her.

Such an exciting and emotional event. I can't believe they are already off in the world. This is the class I started teaching when they were freshmen and I just became Mrs. Becker. I taught them for years, discipled them, listened to them and learned to love them. Now they are off in the world! I will miss them!

There's my class. How fun to have graduation in our own building and now with the school merged K-12.

I said my good-byes at the end and congratulated my special class.

One more good-bye to my piano student--this is the last time I saw her. Who knows when the next time will be.

This was a fun "date" for me and Nate. We didn't have as many responsibilities in this one, so we just sat back to enjoy.

And then we got silly and took this idea from some goofy sophomores. Yeah, the Beckers are wearing the graduates' clothes. Very mature, eh? This is something we think Stephen, Nate's brother would do (Stephen, this bring back any memories?). We took this one for you, bro.

Cheezy smiles from a fun class of 2009. Aren't they great!? I'll miss you all! Stay close to the Lord and follow Him faithfully.

Year-End Ceremonies

The first year-end ceremonies held in our new performing arts center/auditorium. Students from many nationalities entered carrying their national flag. So diverse!

Nate's Jazz students played the prelude music. I love watching Nate play with his students.

The 8th grade class "graduates" to high school. Such sweet students.

I love this shot! While the proud parents captured their kids, I turned to get one of them. Do they know how proud they look?

It was fun to attend this ceremony with my mom and just sit back and enjoy. My mom was able to get a better idea of our school and our students.

College Sponsor and Language Learner

My mom had fun meeting Lavelle in person. Lavelle is the college student that my mom is thankful to be able to sponsor. Without a sponsor, Lavelle would never go to college, and especially not this smaller specialized private one.

We took the Jeepney to her school with her mom. It was quite a fun outing for all--especially for Lavelle to finally meet and thank her sponsor in person.

Here is the college outside. We got the grand tour. What a blessing--thank You, Lord!

And still immersing herself in the culture....

Here she is having language lessons at our table with Ate Bebe. My mom is very brave to use the language to tell the taxi to turn right and stop here: "Sa tuo...para na." Excellent, Mom!

Visiting, Sharing, and Adventures

I took my mom to visit Lin-Lin and her kids. It was fun for her to see their house and to meet her kids. On the right is Lin-Lin's mom, who was visiting from the mountain. Both Lin-Lin and I got to have our moms for Mother's Day!

Later we went to see where Emi used to live. This is the C.R. "Should I use it? Hmmm...."

"THIS is it? I don't think so." This is the one C.R. that is shared by a whole clump of families, living on planks out into the sea. I cannot describe it all here. It is too intense.

Elijah: "Follow me as we tour the Philippines."

All along here you will find rooms, each one occupied by a different family. It is like a college dorm in some ways, but in other ways totally different!

Does this picture say it all? My mom was having quite the adventure and cultural experience. Here is Emi, our tour guide.

My mom handed out fruit to all the people and kids we passed. What a day we had riding different things like trikes, bikes, taxis and walking. My mom is getting to really fit in here. She can even speak the language a bit!

And then back to our "other" world, on the street where I live. It is fun to just have these quiet moments with Grandma.

Can you spot my mom in this picture? We are attending the Elementary chapel where Nate is leading worship. There are many different aspects to our life and ministry here, as you can see by the tour my mom is taking here!

And here is another fun birthday outfit that Elijah got from Grandma and Grandpa. He loves to eat rocks.

I like the natural shots.

We are up to Thursday morning. Later I can post more pictures of our adventures in the Philippines, but for now I need to get Elijah to bed and give my mom a chance to email all her experiences to the fam!

For the Fam

This is a post for the fam, mostly. It is the best way I can share pics with my sister and with Grandma and Grandpa Becker abroad. I love this one of Elijah! Look at those eyes!

I am putting this on for Grandma and Grandpa Becker. We had fun opening the package from you! Thank you! Here is the stuff you sent from America--it made it! Elijah loves those little animals that make sounds.

This one is for my sister and her fam. Sarah, you know what this is for!

"Peter, Clara, Jonas...I love my cousins. I miss you! Thank you for the presents--I love it!"

This is our good-bye! So sad to part with my dad, but very very good that he was able to come for a week! My mom is still here (total of 21 days). A blessing to have them both here. From this picture on, the journey continues with my mom. I love you, Dad! Thanks so much for coming!!!!