Christmas!!

Giving out food bags in Malabon on Christmas Eve!

Christmas, a time of JOY!

One of the great things about being a child of the Most High God is that along with the privelage of being His child, you also have Joy... even in the hard times! Even when things are going wrong in nearly every way imaginable... we still have Joy knowing that our Heavenly Father is still on His throne! He is still in control! Nothing takes Him by surprise, even when it knocks the breath from our lungs, He is not surprised in the least! I take great comfort in this! That in the unbelievably good times and the unbelievably bad times... He is still GOD and we, as His children still have JOY!

Sunday Uno!

Patrick, Franz, and Em!

My Uno playmates...Patrick, Em, and Franz!

Em and his Uno cards!

Gil taking a picture of Patrick.. without previous warning to Patrick.

Gil being silly in the kitchen!

Franz!!

Laughing at these silly boys.

Patrick with his cards!

We had a rare lazy afternoon yesterday, and played Uno! I had so much fun with Gil, Em, Patrick, and Franz.. even if they cheat at Uno!!! haha!

The beginning of a new day...

I've only been here for a few days, but I've got a few pictures of some of the kids. Hard to get many pictures with so much craziness going on with everyone getting ready for Christmas. These pictures were taken earlier in the day before one of the Christmas parties they had.

From Manila...

So I'm here! It's been a very crazy day! As soon as I went down to the first floor today, I was tackled in the hallway by a bunch of the older kids (4-8 year olds!)!!! Things are pretty crazy around here right now, trying to get ready for Christmas. We had a Christmas party here today and had a bunch of visitors from the community. That's about it for the first day. I'll try to post updates as often as possible! ~To God be the Glory!

December 15, 2009

So it is finally here. Today is the 15th, and tomorrow morning I board the plane en route to Manila, Philippines. Today and tomorrow morning is as my momma always says, is going to be very bittersweet. While on one hand I am leaving my family and friends, my sweet church family, and my familiar surroundings; I'm also going where God is calling me, going back to another family, my sweet filipino family he has placed in my life, a family with nearly 40 little children and about 2o brothers! I've been counting down the days for months in anticipation of tomorrow, biting at the bit to get back, but at the same time, cherrishing each moment here with my dear family that God has so graciously given me.

I will be arriving in Manila Thursday night (Thursday morning KY time) and will hopefully be posting an update soon.

But in the meantime, here are some of my favorite pictures over the past 4 1/2 months that I spent at home in KY!

Charming Fabulous Church Family!

I never brag enough about my church family! They are simply precious! I feel so overwhelmingly blessed when I think of how these Christ-loving and God-fearing people have touched my life! They have been so encouraging to me over the years, always supporting me wherever God was leading me. When I hear them say, "We'll be praying for you" I know one thing... They will actually be praying for me! It's not something they just say, but a promise that they fully intend to keep. Especially here lately, the church as a whole has swallowed me up in support and encouragment as I start this slightly new chapter in my life.

Part of my wonderful church family is my Sunday School Class. I can't even begin to describe this group.... we are all so unique in our own ways, but have one thing in common... we all love God! It can get crazy sometimes..well most of the time actually, but we still fit, just like a family does! We fit together like puzzle... by ourselves we all look kinda silly sometimes, but we fit together and are an amazing picture of a part of the family of God.

Well, today after another wonderful morning at church, I was sitting down and checking some email before we were supposed to head to a family gathering, when the doorbell rang. I went to the door and ... "Surprise!!! This is your 'Going Away Party'!!!" ...there on my porch were 8 college students and our Sunday School teacher and his family, everyone had their hands full, some had pizzas, others with 2-liters, others with plates and napkins, others with crock pots of dip, others with chips in hand. Come to find out that my dear siblings began planning about 3-4 weeks ago, my parents were in on it, even the relatives to whose house we were supposed to be going to knew.... I was clueless the whole time!

It was such a precious afternoon. I feel so blessed to be able to call these people not only my friends, but my family in Christ! Words cannot express how grateful I am for their presence in my life! ~ To God Be the Glory!