Just 2 More Weeks...

Two weeks from today we will be coming home! After two years living in the Philippines, we will arrive back in the States on June 2. We look forward to many special times with our family and friends before we leave to return to the Philippines on September 9.

A Furry Creature

Hearing "furry creature" is okay if you are presenting me a cute plush toy. Not so much if you honestly mean a real live furry creature that happens to be a rat! Not so happy feelings filled me when I heard Thomas say last night, "Let's keep this door closed because there is a furry creature out there."

"What do you mean furry creature?"
"How big is this 'furry creature'?"

These were just a few of my questions followed by a proclamation that I will NOT be going out there until said "furry creature" has been evicted.

I am trying to not think about the other questions, "How did this rat get on our second floor porch, that we can only access by going through our apartment? How is it going to leave? If one can get there, will there be more?"

This porch is where our washing machine is located and where I hang our laundry to dry. Usually on a daily basis. Not today because I have no intention of going against my proclamation! Of course, we haven't had any running water since about 5:30 a.m. yesterday and I am not sure when we will have any. This porch is also where we store water for times like this.

This morning as I was having my quiet time and my dear Heavenly Father gently reminded me that I was to give thanks for everything, I struggled with how I could give thanks. Here's is my feeble attempt.

"Dear God, thank You that I have not seen this rat. Thank You that it is a small rat. Thank You that this is the first time, we have had a rat on our porch. Thank You for my amazing, loving husband that is willing to take care of everything that involves the porch including getting water for our family."

My thanksgiving was followed by trying not to be anxious but instead presented my requests to God. This didn't take quite as much effort. I know I want Him to get that rat off my porch and keep all rodents far from our apartment!
Amen
Lisa

My 7yo Preacher

Yesterday, Annalise and I were not feeling well so we stayed home while the rest of the family went to church. I was thinking the two of us would have our own worship time. We did, although it was not quite like I planned. It was better. I let Annalise choose a worship CD. We sang and danced together as we praised our Heavenly Father. The next thing I knew Annalise had her Bible and she was searching the Scriptures and writing notes. She said, "Mommy, you need to get your Bible because there are Scriptures to be looked up."

It was such a precious time together. To give you a glimpse, below are her sermon notes.








I am so thankful for how God is using my little girl today and His plans for her future.
Lisa

Motherhood

Today I have been flooded with memories from my journey of motherhood. As long as I can remember, I longed to be a mother. As a little girl, I lovingly cared for my dolls as I pretended to be a mommy.

A few years after marrying the love of my life, it became clear that my dream of being a mother was not going to quickly become reality nor would it come without great sorrow. But God has been so faithful to carry me through the struggles of infertility and four miscarriages.
Today I am blessed to be the mommy of four precious daughters. Four gifts from God. Today I am remembering the sorrow and the joy of the journey of motherhood and thanking God for the many times He carried me through the sorrows and blessed me with joys. All are part of who I am today.

Lisa

Digital Kid Photos

Kids and digital cameras can be a frustrating combination! Kids move fast in action, expression, and emotion. Digital cameras take time to turn on and focus. Even more irritating is the delay between when you press the shutter button and the photo is captured. A child can be out of site in that amount of time.This little guy came to our health clinic last Friday. He was brimming with excitement about the balloon and had a beaming smile to prove it. While his Lola (grandmother) had her blood pressure and glucose levels measured, he smiled and played with the balloon animal I had made him. Lisa got the camera out to capture the joy in his face. However, between the time the photo was initiated and the electrons were captured in silicon, the smile had vanished.

Fortunately, we did get to enjoy many smiles before and after the picture was taken. Perhaps the most enjoyable was when Lisa showed him his picture on the back of the camera. A video camera would have been needed to share that experience.

By the way, the YWAM Health Clinic has been going really well. Our average attendance has been increasing. Since it began a year and a half ago, we have seen 590 different patients with a total attendance of almost 1400. That's a lot of squeezed arms and poked fingers!

Before going on furlough we will hold the clinic 3 more times. Please pray with us for our patients:

1. That they will understand God's love for them and His concern for every part of their lives.
2. That change is needed for the proper care and healing of their bodies and souls.
3. That they will forsake the pagan practices in light of the truth that sets them free.
   

Only One Month Until...

the six of us get on an airplane to fly back to the States! The excitement is building, as we countdown to the much anticipated reunion with our loved ones back home. We are looking forward to many experiences but on top of our list is being with our family and friends!

VBS Team

Yesterday I spent the afternoon with a group of young men and women who are using their summer vacation to minister in the villages around Bontoc. Most of them came from Baguio, while some were from Bontoc and Can-eo. They came together to learn how to present a VBS program for kids in various villages. Once their training is complete, they will divide into groups and spend 3 days in each of the villages in which they will minister.

I was requested to facilitate some team building activities that would help them come together and work as a group. Although some much needed rain (and lots of it) prevented us from doing any outside activities, everyone seemed to enjoy the activities we undertook.

The riddle of the rope...

One group works to solve the Broken Squares puzzle.

Please pray for this team over the next week or so; their message, their unity, their health, and their passion.

Grace,
Tom