Dec. 19, 2010 - First Christmas in Lanas

Today was a memorable day. At 4pm, it was our first Christmas Program and dinner in the village of Lanas. We had encouraged the attendees to invite their families. Especially the ladies, we really wanted them to bring their husbands. We have a shortage of men as it is VERY hard to reach men in this area. They are so affected by their barkada ( their drinking buddies).

After the service this morning at LBC, we had our last Cantata practice and got ready to go perform in Lanas. We like to allow the 2 churches to fellowship and get to know other believers. Plus, the Cantata wanted a night to practice our songs before the big night at LBC, their own church.

There was about 100 adults, alot more than the 17 we usually run. Of course, this is to be expected when there is food, but we took advantage of their presence. We shared the Gospel all throughout the night, hoping that the Holy Spirit would work.

Later, we had a delicious dinner and the attendees exchanged gifts. The kids were totally chaotic, so I am thankful that our Bible School girls were there to take them and seperate them while Ferd preached.

Dec. 11, 2010 - Bible Club Christmas Party!!!

The Bible Clubs have been going on for nearly 8 years! They were our first ministry and have proven to be very successful. Through these children outreaches, we have been able to meet countless parents and lead whole families to the Lord. Most of the people in our first church plant are a result of contacts through the Bible Clubs.

Today was fun because we got to throw Christmas parties in each of the Bible clubs. The children enjoyed Filipino style speghetti which is sweet banana based sauce with red dyed hot dogs cut up in it. I LOVE IT and actually prefer it to American speghetti now (-; It's sooo yummy! We also were able to present each child with a brand new pair of flip flops, thanks to our home church which bought them and sent them over with us. The kids were thrilled and it felt so good to give them that blessing!!!!

Dec. 5, 2010-Christmas Program Practice

Every year I write the Christmas Play and it is always at the last minute and we always think that we aren't going to have enough time to do it...but we always pull it off. I am praying that this year is the same. Because we landed here so late and we are trying to yet again pull off an awesome Christmas Program with limited time. I hope we can manage. We have had a couple of practices so far and they have added some more parts to my original ideas. I think it's going to be great...but we still have ALOT of work to do.

Our theme is " Declaring God's GLory to All People"...so our play is about going into Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the earth. Only, we transform it into our own lives by showing different ways to soul win in different nearby and far off places. The message is really good...just hope we can sqaure away all the acting and costumes...

Music Fest 2010

We traveled to Sn Fernando to watch the Bible college students perform their musical Drama again this year. They always do a great job, and I sit there and just cry as I watch the students from our church perform. I know where they have come from, their backgrounds, all the obstacles that they had to overcome , and it just tears me up inside! Praise the Lord for the total transformation these young lives have made for the Lord. They are totally surrendered to Him and excited about what the Lord has in store.

After the ceremony, they each presented Ferd and I with roses to say Thank You for investing in their lives...yeah, I was an emotional wreck..it wasn't pretty. I cried like a baby!!!

Recognition Day- Dec. 3, 2010

Today I went to Colegio de Dagupan ( the college in Dagupan City) to recognize a VERY special young lady in my life...Jen.. She is one of my biggest helpers in the church and is pretty much my right hand man, or lady (-; She is super smart and today we went to celebrate all her accomplishments in the Recognition ceremony. She made the Dean's List again..and will be graduating this coming April!!! I am so proud of her!!!

First Sunday Service in Lanas- Nov. 28, 2010

Today was another milestone for our second church plant in Lanas. After meeting for nearly 2 years as a Bible Study group, we merged today as a Sunday church meeting. We meet at the same time as Lighthouse does, so I miss the help we once had from the Lighthouse members. Thankfully, the Bible School students come in on the weekends so we hope to schedule them to come and help us. I plan to rotate piano and children's Sunday school with the other 2 girls in the future. But, for today it was just Ferd and I...just like old times when we first got here. There is so much blood, sweat and tears that goes into planting a church. The first one nearly cost our lives several times, but it was all worth it! I hope this next church will strive to live for the Lord as LBC does!

Back in the Philippines! Nov. 15, 2010

After 37 hours of straight travel...we arrived safe and sound here in our home! It was very emotional for me to see all the faces that I had missed so much and see just how much they missed us and love us. The Lord has renewed my passion and vision for the work here. I was so worn down from health issues that I wasn't able to see how important I am in their lives. I am so glad that the Lord has used me to make a difference here!

We enjoyed 3 back to back parties...ate WAY too much..but the people have definitely poured out their love and showed us how much they love us. I love them more than I can express in words..

Reviving the Blog- Nov. 2010

I allowed my blog to get WAY behind.. things were so hectic in the US that my blog suffered, but I hope to get back to date now that I am back in the Philippines...

But my time in the US was AMAZING! I feel better, I am thinking more clearly and I feel super refreshed! I will forever treasure that short, unexpected trip..I needed it in more ways than one!

August 2, 2010 - My surgery

Registration and Paper Work....

Surgery Preparations...

Recovery..still totally out of it. I have no memory of this picture or Ferd taking it..

A Few Fun Moments July 22-Aug 1

Well, I had to meet with the Dr the very first week we got here and he scheduled me for diagnostic surgery 6 days later..so, literally from the time we got here in the US until now, has been devoted to getting my health straightened out. I was able to see my family, go out to eat at a few places and run into a few friends along the way.

I got to meet my nephew Carson for the first time, who is almost 2 years old

Of course, it was wonderful to be reunited with our church family at a Temple. Many were not there, as they were on a missions trip in Costa Rica...but it was good to see all the others again.

Sunday, August 1, the whole church gathered around me for prayer and it meant the world to me to have so many folks care after suffering alone with this disease for so many years now..

July 21, 2010 - Trip to the US

A few memories of the trip over... We had a lay over in Japan. It was fun to get to walk around a bit while waiting and then eating McD's in Tokyo. The food was very expensive. 20$ was only enough to get Sean some nuggets and fries!!! Crazy!

Then, We had to sit on the run way for 2 hours due to "mechanical" problems (yay)..not something you want to hear right before you are about to fly 14 hours over the Pacific Ocean! But, the Lord was good and the flight went smoothly and we made it back to the good ole USA! After landing in detroit, we missed our next flight and had to wait another 6 hours for the next one, but we managed to make it back to Ronaoke, VA. My favorite part of the flight is the decent in Roanoke, when all the sudden you see mountains and trees and you realize you are really back! No more oceans and palm trees or rice fields...The Philippines is so very far away right now, hard to believe.

July 18,2010 - Goodbye

It was hard to say Goodbye to everyone in our church at LBC as well as the new villages.. The hardest part is that we don't know when we will be back. We are entering on a 1 way ticket to the US because we dont know what the Dr will say or what the surgery will find. So, when the people ask when we will return, we can't answer, and that is hard. There were many tears today, especially as they threw me a surprise Goodbye treat. Tons of cards and beautiful flowers, and special music..yeah, it was hard.

Also, for a big surprise, the kids all used their offerings to throw Sean a surprise party. They had pizza, which they know is Sean's favorite and played games and just had fun..it was hard to say Goodbye..

July 16, 2010 Lanas Dedication

Even though we are going to be leaving for the states next week, we decided to go ahead and go through with the planned Dedication Service in the new village of Lanas. We wanted to dedicate the new shelter to the Lord and have a big celebration. We had singing, preaching, food and fellowship.. I even got to lead 2 visiting young ladies to the Lord. I didn't feel well at the service, but I carried through because I did not want to miss this service. Sean loves playing with the animals that wander through the shelter during the service..ducks, dogs, cats, chickens, goats, etc.