The Blessed Day!

Remember when you were a kid and got something REALLY great for your birthday and your mom would tell you not to go tell all of your friends because you would be bragging? Well, even back then and still now, I just can't NOT tell, when something great happens me! Not bragging, just want to share!

On these trips and at home I have been a part of many personal Bible studies. However, never have I been the one leading the Bible study and the one we are studying with make the decision to to become a Christian and be baptized while I was there. Maybe that says something negative about me but I am not dwelling that now.

This morning we were picked up and got there earlier because Daddy and one of the faculty members, Daniel, had a baptism set up at 7:30a.m. They took NaNa, J.R., John Mark, and the only four of the kids who were there that early. I wanted to go SO badly and was kind of upset that I had gotten carsick on the way there and just couldn't. After they left PaPa and another faculty member left for a Bible study. That left only me, Beverly, and Julia. All of you who know me know that I was sitting there kind of pouting that I didn't get to go with Magiboo and the other kids to the baptism at the beach. When am I going to learn that I'm following God's plan, not mine???

Beverly walked in and asked if I would go on a Bible study with them. I asked if we would be walking or driving and they said we would be walking, that it was "close" I knew that the Filipino definition of "close" is much different than the American definition but that was good because I still was to sick at my stomach to get in the van. As we walked down the road she gave em the prospects background. They would be two 14 year old girls who attend worship every Sunday but had yet to decide to become a Christian. They said that they have had many Bible studies and NaNa and Daniel had even been there the day before. So, we get there and they have a conversation in Tagalog and I'm just sitting there with my "I have NO idea what you are saying so I am just going to sit here and nod" smile when Beverly turns to me and says, "OK, they are ready." "Ready for what?", I ask? "The Bible study. You can begin now." she replies. WHAT?? "OK, will you say a prayer to get us started?" (interpretation: I need divine intervention AND a few minutes to stall!)

Long story, short, I went over the steps of salvation and finally asked what was keeping them from being baptized. Beverly translated what I said, the girls had a little conversation with each other, and then they answered Beverly in Tagolog. Beverly looked at me and smile. I said, "What is it?" She answered, "They said nothing hinders them!" God must really laugh at my lack of faith!! It was a AMAZING experience and they were later baptized at the river! Between those two girls and the ones that Daddy and the others baptized, we now have 11 new brothers and sisters in Christ here!! How lucky am I to be a part of this???

Besides for that I had FOUR HOURS worth of Bible class with the campus kids today and got to spend some quality time with Magiboo and his sister Sandra! This video is just a little something I put together so you all could meet my little Magiboo. You'll have to scroll down and mute my music, I have not been able to get on the website to take it off. The other boy in the video is Jomar, who's mother and father work at the campus. Hope you enjoy watching it as much as I enjoyed videoing it!

Please continue to keep us and the work in your prayers!

The HOTTEST day.....so far!

Well, I had been so happy because I had slept SO well from the time that I left. I mean I had slept well on the plane, in Manila, and here, EVEN with the stupid rooster and Daddy's snoring! So last night we get in and I am so tired, or at least I thought I was. I didn't sleep a wink last night!! I was SO aggervated that sometime in the middle of the night I seriously thought about throwing something in the sirection of Dad's bed to make him quit snoring!!! With a clearer head in the morning I was glad that Dad finally got some sleep, even if I did have to sacrifice mine.

When we got to the campus this morning we had the daily chapel with the students and faculty and then I had my first class with "My kids" from around the campus compound. Don't get me wrong, it's imposible NOT to fall in love with the kids from every compound you go to. They could melt even the hardest of hearts with their purity, their love, and the poverty in which they live. However, I DO love these kids from the camups compound the most. I just know them. And I know I'm not supposed to, but I have a favorite :^) Magiboo is his name. He's five and I don't know what it is about him but I think it's going to get harder to NOT stick him in my suitcase every time I leave! I will defininetly post a picture of him and will try to get video before I leave. You'll just see how cute he is, he can't speak a lick of English and I'm doubting many of you speak Tagalog!

Our lesson at class today was Noah and our memory verse was John 3:16. The kids wasnted to learn it in English. So now they know Gen 1:1 in Tagalog and John 3:16 in English. After class it was lunch time and the power went out and it was SO HOT! I know most of you who read this live in the South but I promise this makes August feel like a "dry heat" in south Georgia! Geez, I felt like I was literally melting! After lunch it was just too hot to have class outside so I brought all the kids in the building. We did our Bible class, sang 1,000,000 songs as always and then me and the boys played some games with them. It was SO fun. I think I lost about 10 pounds in water but I made it up tonight :^)

Then we went to another compound and had class. It was a little distracting because it was "bath time" In the middle of the copmound is a little area where the pump is and they all use it to bathe. The adults bathe in shorts and a shirt but the kids just strip down without thinking about ti! One little girl stripped all the way down and then got distracted by our singing and just ran over and joined in, naked as the day she was born! After an hour of the childrens class (and the adults being COMPLETELY enamored with my "perfect" nose ) we walked through that entire compound and invited people to our Friend Day at the Campus Church of Christ on Sunday. Then we went through half of our compound (there are appx 3,000 people in the compound where the campus is).

When we got back to the campus we met up with Daddy and his evangalism team, PaPa and his team, and NaNa and her team who had been to the other half of our compound, inviting people to Friend Day. Brother Roger then drove me, Daddy, NaNa, PaPa, Arnel, Kevin, J.R., Rodel, and John Mark to Dagupan. We stopped at the mall before dropping us off at the hotel. I ate at McDonalds where I had my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE thing, a Coke float! SO GOOD! WHY has no one in America thought to add Coke, ice cream, ice, chocolate syrum, and whip cream?? It's like crack cocaine! PaPa and Daddy bought us all one. I CAN'T figure out why the Americans aren't embracing this idea AND the idea of Chow King, fast food Chinese...BRILLIANT!

Finally we are back at the hotel and I am gross and exhausted! The game plan from here is shower and fall asleep before Dad!! Please keep us in your prayers!

What day is this??

They LOVE basketball here. Please notice though
their playing shoes. Flip flops. That's all I have
seen them play in!

J.R., Daddy, and Brother Roger taking the confession

of the first baptism of the trip. Not a bad looking

"baptistery", huh?

These are the homes of the women that were

baptised. I honestly have seen bigger tree houses.

Sorry I didn't turn it. This was my "classroom"

I think that there is a time in most every ones life that changes who they are fundamentally. Not necessarily for better or for worse, just changes you. It's not always even one of the biggest moments of your life, it's just the one that changes you. I'm sure that you are probably thinking that I am about to write about how this is that moment for me. Not so much, unfortunately. Like most of us, my life changing moment wasn't a great moment in my life.

The thing about this moment is I haven't really felt like "myself" since then (what ever that undefinable "myself" actually is) It's not that I think about it. I usually don't even realize how far from "myself" I am. Today the thought just crept up on me, "I finally feel like myself again." It even surprised me. I would love to say that it's a spiritual thing but I'm not sure it really is. I can't really put my finger on what it is whether it's not having to worry about going to work, or not having to worry about money stuff, not even having to worry about little tifts and arguments with family and friends, ect. Although I do feel like a lot of these things weigh me down at home so maybe it's a combination of all these things. I've probably rambled but I just wanted to record that thought that I had today. Maybe I'll figure out a way to be "myself" more at home.

Today we started out going out to the campus and participated in their chapel. Then I had my first class with "my kids" from around that area. These are the ones that I met last time I was her and the ones that I would love to take back home with me. After class I sent them home and went in for our mid morning snack. We just visited around until lunch (some of the teachers and students were gone with NaNa and PaPa on a Bible study) and then after lunch we had our second Bible study. Today they learned about Adam and Eve and most of them could quote Genesis 1:1 when we were through. It was a great day. Before I left I sat down with all of the kids and showed them my photo album. By the time we were through I could point to everyone in my "familia" and they would scream out the correct corresponding name. More on this at the end of the blog.....

Next we went with Brother Roger and one of the new students, J.R. to conduct a Bible study that was already lined up. Hopefully, when I post this there will be a picture near this part of the blog of the exact spot of my "class". Picture this grassy ally way covered in trash and goat poo. Why is it covered in goat poo, you ask. Because right along with me and the kids are six goats! One literally wrapped its rope around me during "Father Abraham" and I landed on the ground IN the goat poo! On top of the less than perfect teaching conditions, the kids didn't speak ANY English, understood what can't even be considered as "little", and they knew only two songs and one of them was in Tagalo! Did I mention that it was 798 degrees out there with 800% humidity?? Regardless, it was still an AMAZING experience. We baptized two and the kids knew FOUR songs, Genesis 1:1, and all kinds of facts about Noah by the time we left.

Now for my crowning moment. L and L, this may not be how it is in the states but there is no question how it is in the Philippines! The only background you need to know watching this video is that "maganda"" translates to "beautiful" and that they had no prior knowledge of the questioning! Make sure your volume is up :^)

Day 1, Day 2, What day is it???

Good grief. I just asked Daddy what time it was here and he said, "6:25" I replied with, "morning or night?" Boy is my body confused and it's tough to confuse a night shift body! The good news is, WE HAVE FINALLY ARRIVED!!!!

We drove up to the campus today and the kids were literally chanting my name! They (about 30 of the kids from around the neighborhood where the campus is) hung all over me (again with the no concept of personal space) and told me over and over how excited they were for me to be there and how they had been waiting on me! Before I could even go inside and see the new building and visit with the faculty and students they had to sing me two of the "English" songs I taught them last time. One of my favorite little girls has a boil on her face and my heart just breaks looking at her. The faculty at PTC said they are doing all they can to get her some medicine.

The building and whole campus looks GREAT! I can't believe that it is the same place! I will try to post pictures tomorrow of the campus the last time that I was here and what they look like now. The work is really growing at a phenomenal pace here!

If you read my blog last year you may remember the rooster! I am about to take a sleeping pill and put my earplugs in to avoid the rooster and Daddy's snoring :^) Hope all of you are having a great week! Please continue to remember us in your prayers!

Day 1- Manila

We're here! In the Philippines to be exact. We arrived last night and it was pretty clear immediately why I love this place. It's the people. Since I haven't gotten to see "the people" yet I realize that I'm in a third world country. WAY more people per square inch than Americans can even imagine- Check
People who have NO concept of "personal space"- check, check
lack of hot water- check, check, check
I could go on.....
One thing that doesn't change America or Philippines is how ANNOYING my dad is in the morning! Those of you who didn't grow up in my house CAN'T understand! It's not that he's just a morning person. My NaNa is a morning person and she gets up and enjoys her quiet time before everyone else gets up. My dad, NOT SO MUCH! He LOVES to get up in the mornings but wants EVERYONE else to be up with him!! The man woke up THREE HOURS before our alarm went off. Yeah, we're going to have to set down some ground rules before tomorrow morning!
Today we will make the six hour van ride to the PTC (Philippine Theological College) campus where I will FINALLY get to see everyone! YAY! Believe me, for all of my complaining, I absolutely CAN'T wait to see all the students, the faculty,and the kids that live in the neighborhood!!! Please continue to keep us in your prayers. Hopefully, I'll be able to update tonight!

My luck is changing?

Well, this blog is being written from Tokyo, Japan. We had a VERY bumby but otherwise uneventful trip over. Here's the best part....we were again on the very back seat, which isn't a bad thing on the big jets, right by the standing room and close to the restrooms. Evidently there were kids on the plane but I never heard them (I know though because they made an announcement about one throwing up in the aisle). There were lots of good movies but I only watched "Marley and Me" (side note.....I'm REALLY not sure that falls into the "COMEDY" category!) before I took my Ambien CR! I wish that Dr Lucy read this so I could give her a VERY big shout out right here! That stuff is better than gold on a plane trip!

We have a four hour layover here and then we'll board for our 5 hour flight to Manila. The flights are packed since most of them were canceled due to the plane crash yesterday at this airport. I am really starting to get excited about being there, I have SO missed my friends and the people over there! I hope you are all doing well and I hope that we have internet so I'll be able to keep in touch! Please continue to keep us in your prayers!

It's a good thing....

...that I don't believe in "signs"! First of all I stayed up WAY too late last night (Especially considering that I worked Saturday night, went to services and class and traveled up to Chattanooga on Sunday!) to watch Tennessee LOSE in THE FIRST STINKIN ROUND to BALL STATE!!!! Are you kidding me? REALLY? For those of you who don't understand the severity of this....Since the inception of the tournament as it is, NO Lady Vols team has EVER won by any less than 23 points in the first round! No team has ever NOT made the Sweet 16! Great.....glad I stayed up for that.

Skip ahead a few hours and on the way to the airport the man who drove us starts making conversation ABOUT A PLANE THAT CRASHED overnight!! Really? I mean WE ARE ON OUR WAY TO THE AIRPORT!!! For the love. Then we go to get on our little "toy plane" a.k.a. "commuter flight" from Chattanooga to Chicago and we are on the very last two seats. You know, the ones right beside the lavatory door and the only ones on the plane that don't recline any. Great.

Now we are in the Chicago airport waiting in our terminal and up walks my biggest fear.... two screaming children under the age of 4! No offense to any of you with small, screaming children, but I would rather poke my own eyeballs out than ride on a 14 hour plane ride with them!!! I'll keep you updated!

Last but not last, please keep us in your prayers! We leave here in a few hours for Tokyo, then Manila, then a 6 hour van ride to Dagupan, where we stay! Thanks so much and check back, I hope to be updating almost daily, IF I can find internet over there. If not...sorry....one big blog like last time :^(

Hope you have a GREAT week!