Be Blessed!

I pray that you will be blessed by these two friends from Kakabay.

Things NOT to Pack

Sunday, I was hoping to make a short ice fishing escapade with the kids at the pond in the neighborhood. After lunch I went over and checked the ice. Unfortunately, while some areas were good, others were not. If it was just me I would have gone for it, but with the kids out running around it did not seem like a wise decision. Another favorite lake in the area had similar conditions. Since then the temperatures have been too high. Add in the wind and rain and I would be surprised if either is still completely covered.

Anyway, after coming back, there were a number of things I thought of that would not be getting packed with the luggage when we finally get to leave for Bontoc. So here is a sampling...

There may be more later, but since the snow has melted to slop now it wouldn't make such a nice wintry backdrop. (Although since I initiated this entry a couple hours ago, the thundershower we had earlier has transformed to a light snow and everything is once again white - as it should be.)

For those friends who have rarely, if ever, experienced snow you may not know what some of these items are. So for your benefit, from top to bottom:

• Ice Auger - used to make a hole in the ice so you can stand on the ice looking into a hole watching for something to happen to your bobber. If you can't understand fishing, you'll never understand ice fishing.
• Snow Shovel - designed as much for scraping and pushing the snow as for heaving it.
• Snow Brush - once you dig the snow out of your driveway, you can then begin to brush the snow and scrape the ice from your windshield. Credit cards are often used as a substitute. This generally wreaks havoc on your credit card, which in turn helps your financial situation.
• Cross-Country Skis - skis designed for going for a walk, of sorts, over the snow. They are a great way to explore the fields and woods when there is a fresh blanket of snow.
• Sorel boots - the boots I have found to be the best blend of comfort, warmth, and economy. Playing outside is not fun when you are cold.

I am still holding out hope for an ice fishing excursion. A few years ago, my Dad and I took my kids and my sister's kids out on the pond in our neighborhood. It was a lot of fun. Maybe if we get the chance again before winter is over, we will actually catch something. (While it is always fun to do so, fishing is not about catching fish!)

Grace,

Tom

What We Have Learned

Thomas and I sat down to write what the most important thing we had learned without any knowledge of what the other was thinking. We did this for Adriana's birthday book. Here's what we wrote:

The most important thing I have learned is I am deeply loved by my Heavenly Father. His love is not dependent on what I do or don't do. His love is not only unconditional, it is eternal. He loves me because I am His child.
Lisa

Probably the most important thing I have learned in my life is that God loves me. He loves me the way I am, not just for who He desires me to become. He loves the way I talk. He loves the way I think. He enjoys the silly songs and the most beautiful of my artwork. He is eager to hear what is on my heart, even when it is not all good and pure. He loved me for who I have been and He loves me for who I am. But He loves me so much that He will not leave me the way I am now; He sees who I can become.
Thomas

I share these because it is our heart that everyone know this. Yes, our 13-year-old and all our other daughters too. But if you were to ask me what my heart for our ministry in the Philippines was it would be this message of God's love. So many are trying to appease the gods. In their fear, they offer various sacrifices. Many others, even in their worship of the true God, are caught up in a religion of works constantly striving to earn rather than accepting the gift God offers. This too seems motivated by fear. Our prayer is that all would be released from this bondage...

School Days

This week was especially interesting as our science studies involved some subjects the girls had been able to experience in our last year of travels. The first was geysers. In our time at Yellowstone, we wandered around taking in the sights while waiting for the next anticipated display of Old Faithful. We were able to see spouters, fumaroles, hot pools, and mud pots, before experiencing the famous geyser. In the Philippines, we enjoyed a few hot springs. The first I still chuckle when I think of the time spent on the jeepney then walking through the village to get to this tourist attraction. The only place I remember being bold enough to post a higher fee for foreigners. It wasn't all we were expecting but as we hadn't had hot showers, it sure was nice to relax in a big warm bathtub.

Later in the week we did some experiments about soil erosion. We got to create our own terraces, proving that is the best way to control erosion. Of course, in the Philippines we saw many rice terraces, and walked along the terrace walls (well most of the time, I do remember one small detour). It is not all the time you get to experience school like this. But we always say "Life is school and school is life."

Where in the World!

In case you wondered where in the world we are eager to go, we thought we would help you find where Bontoc is in the world. You can click on the maps to get a better view. It is about a 6 hour drive from Baguio; there are no straight roads in the mountains.

Grace,
Tom

Life Goes On

While it is difficult to be here, when we are wanting to be in the Philippines, we believe God has something here for us while we wait. Thomas has put his application in to work the spring outage at the nuclear plant. This would mean working many hours for about a month. We are hoping to earn enough to cover our travel and visa expenses. We also signed up Annalise, Alayna, and Alexie for soccer, volunteering to coach. Me heading up Annalise's kindergarten team and Thomas the Keepsake team he has coached for the last 4 years. Our Garden of Grace Girls Academy has been busy with hopes of completing the year's coursework before we get on the airplane.

Lisa

Lisa's Top-ten List

1. God, He is the solid foundation of my life and my hope
2. Thomas, God's greatest gift on earth to me
3. Adriana, Alexie, Alayna, and Annalise, gave me the career I'd always dreamed of-motherhood, each is so special to me
4. Time with loved ones, I enjoy sharing my life with others
5. Photographs capturing all the memories on the journey of life
6. Home is the place I like best
7. Sunshine, golden warm rays always make me feel happier
8. A hot shower and a good night's sleep, so relaxing and refreshing
9. Snuggling under a blanket with a good book
10. Music, songs are like stories- I can sing along, they remind me of important truths and special memories.