Wood to Fire

"As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire,

so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife."
Proverbs 26.21

We had all been at each other's throats for a couple of hours.  It seemed like we were constantly quarreling: Elijah against Malachi, Elijah against me, me against Nate, Malachi smashing Luke...

The 5 of us were in the car and decided to buy firewood for the smores.  While Nate and the 2 boys were out getting the wood, I turned on the Kindle for a few quiet moments alone to resume my Bible reading for the day.

I thought it was totally ironic that

Uninviting or Welcoming?

I was on an early morning walk with Luke through a neighborhood of Ohio, when this sign struck me. It is something I have noticed in American culture that really strikes me as unwelcoming.  I thought, "Gosh, I guess I will stay clear of that area!  I wouldn't want the dog to come get me!"

In Asian culture people are much more welcoming of kids, but in America they seem to be in the way.  I must try to hush them or apologize for them.

In Asia they have a view "There's always room for more", and you can see them squeeze a whole neighborhood of people onto a Jeepney.  In America they ask how many kids you can have based on how many car seats fit in the car.

I'm risking a little here, putting my real thoughts out there on this one, but I am going to give it a shot anyway.

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Ohio---Becker Blast--30 Pics

 For one week we stayed with 5 couples and 5 little kids in this cottage at Maumee Bay State Park in Ohio.  It is bigger inside than it looks outside, though it can be a challenge to sleep under one roof.  Nate's parents were gracious to sleep in the living room!

 It was a joyous reunion--the last one was in 2008 when Elijah was only 2 months old. Now there are 5 grandsons (Grandpa Becker is peeking out below).  This is one of the grandfathers that Luke's middle name, Robert, was named after.  Nate is on the left, Stephen (his bro) in the middle and Tim (his bro-in-law) on the Right.  Malachi pictured also.

 Here's the whole clan!  What a loving family!  We had family devotions and dinner each night.  Then we did various other activities during the week.

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4th of July and 7th Anniversary

 The boys had tons of cultural experiences on the 4th of July--their first one in America.  We saw a parade, with floats and tons of interesting things passing.

 They were happy to learn that parades included people throwing candy at them.  Just looking around at all the people and seeing what they wear, what kind of strollers they had and the various tents for shade was a lot of "America" at once for us to take in.

 Malachi wanted to decorate his bike for a parade too!

 That afternoon at Sarah's house the cousins had their own 4th of July parade.  So fun!

 Sisters!  We were so happy to see each other many times while we were based in Omaha.  I love you, S!

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Refreshment in Orlando, FL

 I got to meet John Piper in Orlando, FL!  He has encouraged me so much in my thirst for the Word and in scripture memory.  I am also currently reading "Desiring God" for the first time.  This leader loves the Lord and His glory!  It was neat to sit in the second row right behind him in worship and to know we are all raising our hands to Jesus together.  "The ground is level at the foot of the cross," and yet it still is fun to meet him in person!

 Here is the huge room that I got to sit in for a weekend and just soak in the feast of the Word and in worship!!!  There were 3,800 women who attended "Here is Our God", the first women's conference with "The Gospel Coalition."  I felt like I was under the Niagara falls of spiritual refreshment!  I kept crying at all kinds of random times as I feasted and worshiped and soaked it in.  Nate was wonderful in helping with the 3 boys while I attended.

 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2012/07/10/now-available-audio-video-from-tgcw12/

I totally recommend you click this link and try to listen to some of the sessions.  It was a conference "For women but not all about women."  It was about God.  I am so hungry to know Him more!  They walked us through the Bible, from Exodus with Moses on the mountain, to the temple in 1 Ki. 8, through the Psalms and Isaiah 6, into the NT with the Transfiguration, and to end in Revelation!

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American Experiences

 Nate had an awesome time with his college buddies hiking and camping in the Grand Canyon!

 Elijah discovered that he LOVES biking around all the smooth cement sidewalks in Omaha.  How fun to have time with his uncles too (here Uncle Micah)!

 Uncle Daniel gave Elijah the experience of playing with a "nice" dog, Jack.  I had trained my boys that  we cannot trust the dogs in the Philippines, so they were happy to meet one that was trained.

 Uncle Daniel reads bed-time stories with his nephews!  Precious moments in America!

 Grandma takes the boys to the zoo!  So many new experiences!

 Luke discovers a real shark.

We love the beautiful parks and landscaping all around the city of Omaha!  So many places to go and things to do and see.  Thank you, Lord, for these blessings!

The Journey to America

 May 28th we stood in our front yard of the Philippines ready to go.  We were sweaty and hot, not prepared for the cold chills we would feel upon landing in the USA!

 Our friend offered to drive us to the airport, which was a huge blessing, because I don't know how we would have fit all this plus the 5 of us in a taxi.  We tried to travel light, but still, there is a lot to bring.

 We spent a day in China, going through 2 airports.  Malachi wanted to try eating noodles with chopsticks.  There were tons of crazy things happening at the last minute with Elijah's ticket, but whew, God parted the "red sea" and we were able to fly after all.

My fam met us in the Omaha airport!  Whew!  We made it!
Elijah is extremely tired and jet-lagged (under the yellow blankie).
I guess we all were!

 Nate and the 3 boys are boarding a plane.  It took us 6 flights to get to Omaha, NE.  I can't tell you how many hours, but the longest flight was 13 hours.  I got sick and had to lay on the floor of the lavatory, but that is another story.  Thankfully we spent 2 nights in LA to recover from the first 4 flights of our journey.  Thanks for your prayers!  We survived!
 Luke's great-grandma was so happy to see him!  We had 2 family weddings the first week.  It was great to see so many of our loved ones and family, and yet the boys and I really struggled to recover from jet-lag.  Thankfully we are now adjusted.

 A rare moment, 4 siblings together!  Sarah, Jessica, Daniel, and Micah!!  Love you guys!

 Jessica and Ali--Micah's Fiancee!

 2 couples--Nate and me; Micah (my bro) and Ali

 It was great to reconnect with one of our home churches--Brookside.  They had a wonderful child-care program and gave us such a warm welcome.  It was so nice to sit in church with Nate!

We also had a fun reunion for the 2Extreme youth group when I was in high school.  How fun to see families with kids and to reconnect!

A Birthday, A Dedication & A Baptism

 This is one of two new posts, so please check the one below also: "A death, a birth and a graduation."

This is my last time to post from the Philippines!  We plan to fly out tomorrow and begin our 4-day journey.  Please pray for us as we travel with 1 Great God, on 2 continents, with 3 small boys, for 4 days, 5 Beckers, 6 flights, 7 cities, and will we get 8 hours of sleep a night?  Pray for grace and strength!

 Today, on our last day, we celebrated Luke's first birthday!  A year ago I was giving birth at home to this little precious lamb.  Nate caught him with his own proud Papa hands.  Elijah and Malachi were excited to hear him wake up, so they could start celebrating his birthday together!

 We had saved this present from Grandma Bruce for this special occasion.  You see the cute guy with his birthday shirt, but you do not see Elijah and Malachi about to rip the wrapping off for him.  Fun brothers!  Luke had fun drumming the box while his brothers played with the new toys.  Thanks, Mom and Dad!

 Then at church we dedicated Luke Robert to the Lord!  Some of our most special friends were there as "Ninongs" (The Filipino "God-parents" idea).  Thank you, Lord, for such precious friends and for this loving community.  We will miss you all, but we hope to be back soon!

 Pastor Norman prayed to dedicate Luke's life to Jesus, praying that he would come to salvation and live for the Lord. 

 Luke's little friend, Elleya, was happy to share crackers.  What cute buddies in their darling church clothes (thanks, Mom, for the outfit--perfect for the dedication!).

 To add one more special aspect to the day, it was baptism Sunday!  Elijah loves to see people choose to "follow Jesus." He can't wait to be baptized, but he said, "I want to follow Jesus," a precious declaration from my son's mouth.  Yes, Lord, may all our sons put their faith in You at an early age and follow you all their days!

 Here's a back view, you can see Elijah is front and center.  Here you can also see our church body!

 After church we had a little pizza and ice cream lunch at the covered court by Nate's class.  It was a little bitter-sweet because it was also our "Despidida" (going-away party).  It was very special to be together with our closest friends one more time.  They are like our family here.

Luke loved tasting chocolate for the first time.  He lasted through the party, but then wiped out for a 3 hour nap.  Thank you, Lord, for our boy and for his special first year of life!  Now we are ready to fly!

A Death, A Birth, & A Graduation

 This was a full week, with packing, saying good-bye, finishing up grades and concerts, and writing tons of emails to prepare for our time in the U.S.  To add to the emotional side of the already mixed feelings I felt, my son's 4 year old friend died and was buried.

 It was so sad to see Elijah (pictured in orange) and Jerard's twin brother, James (pictured to E's left) throwing rocks on the grave to help bury their little buddy.  Elijah came with me to one of the viewings, and he really took some time to process Jerard's death.  Then he traced his hand in the guest book and waved good-bye.

 Here is Jerard's little "Barcada", as the Philipinos call it--his group of friends.  Elijah is hugging his friend James.  How sad to have little kids like this have to stand in front of their friend's grave.  Give these little people grace, Lord, and also may they know you love them.

 Then at the opposite end of the emotional spectrum, there was Ate Emelita, ready to give birth any minute.  Some ladies in my Bible study had been gathering clothes to help with her 7th baby (9th pregnancy).  One of our partners in the U.S. sent the money to help pay for her labor and delivery. 

 Just a couple days after the funeral this little guy was born!  I couldn't have been more on a roller-coaster of events!  What a healthy guy!  I got a text that she was in labor.  Then a few minutes later I got another text "Gawas na!", which means he is out already!  I couldn't believe it!  The head started poking out in the taxi, and she waddled in to the doctor at the public hospital just in time for him to slip out with no pain!

 Praise the Lord that I was able to be here, and for His provisions.  This sister in Christ wanted to choose a name that showed how God had blessed him more than any of her other babies, that he would also be a blessing.  Interestingly, before I got there she had already chosen a name: Jesse!  It is very Filipino to name a baby after someone who had a part in the birth.  I am honored! 

 Jesse and Jessica both mean "Wealthy one" or "Blessed one."  Jessica meets Jesse!  Am I ready for a fourth?  Um....let's wait until the big trip around the US with 3 small boys is over to find out if I am ready or not!  Praise the Lord for this bundle!

 Then to end it all, the high school seniors graduated!  This class is extremely special to me because they were once my 6th and 7th grade Bible students.  Through 7 years, Nate and I had the opportunity to invest in them spiritually and intellectually through teaching music and Bible and worship leading.  What a wonderful bunch of kids, many of them hoping to go on in ministry and serving the Lord.

Nate was so handsome in his Filipino barang (the traditional shirt you see the men wearing).  He was invited to give the opening prayer.  I am proud of this man.  Nate, you worked so hard and now you are done with another year!  Thank you, Lord, for this blessing also!  We have so much to praise You for!