there and back again

We are officially back in the Philippines again,

battling jet lag,
joyful to see 'old' friends,

bunking at a guest house while we
clean up our home before moving back in!

New Year's Eve at Mark's sister's home in the Seattle area

ended with games up to the stroke of midnight

(okay, for some of us...others of us read books!)

 New Year's Day more family joined in the games,

 and we enjoyed a delicious celebratory meal

and scrumptious dessert together!

(Thank you, Mandy and Mom!)

January 2nd we left frosty Seattle,

saying final good byes at the airport,

and beginning our 29-hour journey back to Davao.

The trip was long but smooth,

except for a bit of intestinal trouble.
But now we are here,
healthy,
safe,
and so very thankful for all of your prayers along our way!

goodbye

Saying goodbye is like a mini-death, a loss, a separation.  It can’t really be done well, because, like death, it’s due to our sinful condition.  Separation from those we love on earth brings grief and sadness.  No amount of hugs and “I’ll miss you’s” is adequate to dispel the pain.  We were not created for goodbyes.  In Heaven we’ll know what we long and groan for here – the end of partings.  The ceaseless unity and fellowship of souls specifically designed for such oneness. (John 17)

Just like in death, saying goodbye hurts.  And it hurts because in some way you have blessed our lives.You have demonstrated something of Christ to us.  Thank you. 

 If you had not, it would have been easy to say goodbye.

And then we remember the goodbyes Christ said for us, so that we might know Heaven’s long hello.  

We don’t grieve like those without Christ.  Our hope is grounded in nothing less than the promises of God.  Now we get to go and share that hope.  And your prayers blaze the trail; they avail much – though we don’t understand how or why, we know they do.

So thank you for praying for us.  Please pray that, as a result of our goodbye, there will be richer, sweeter, fuller glory to God for all eternity from His entire kingdom, His perfected bride, His completed body; not one stone of His church missing.  

For He alone is worthy!

Welcome to our blog!

It's been several weeks now since we left our home in Savannah, on our 11,000 mile journey* to live here in the city of Davao in the Philippines. We'd like to give you a glimpse of that journey before we begin to share a window into our lives here in our new home. We hope you'll enjoy your visit to our blog, and that you'll check back often for news and photos!
(*4,000 miles by car to Seattle, then almost 7,000 miles by plane from Seattle to Davao!)

May the 26th
With the capable help of Joe, Andrew and Clay, we moved the remainder of our household goods out of our home.




Friday, May 29th
The bittersweet day we left Savannah. We had stayed several days at the home of Joe and Mary, enjoying their incredibly gracious hospitality and flexibility while we finished cleaning our home to prepare it for the renters. They blessed us enormously.




May 30th-June 1st
We stayed with our dear friends, Hank and Jane, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. They took us out on the lake several times in their boat, and we all got to do some tubing! It was fantastic spending time with you guys!






Thursday, June 4th
The Grand Canyon. What an amazing opportunity to visit this place of beauty.
"O Lord, how manifold are Thy works! In wisdom hast Thou made them all: the earth is full of Thy riches." Psalm 104:24






Monday, June 8th
A dream come true for Lego-crazy Michael! A loving relative sent us all to Legoland for the day. We all had a great time!

Wednesday, June 10th
The crossing of the Golden Gate Bridge on our way to see the magnificent California Redwoods.















Friday, June 19th
Happy 13th Birthday, Amy and Elise!





June, 2009
We enjoyed special time with family and friends

Picnic with Mark's family








2nd cousins unite!

on our way

A furious game of Dutch Blitz with Judy










Fourth of July fun!


Michael and Kevin in water balloon wars

Packing our suitcases for the trip - using Space Savers, a gift from thoughtful friends!

Wednesday, July 8th
Saying goodbye at the Seattle airport

Some snacks and books from Grandma and individual movie screens helped pass the 11 hours of flight time.

During our orientation in Manila with our guide at Fort Santiago, learning some of the Filipino history.















After a stop in Seoul, Korea, we arrived in Manila at 1 A.M. on Friday, July 10th. Here's a jeepney full of coconuts

















Most of our luggage - we traveled with 10 checked bags and 5 carry ons









We're here! We arrived in Davao on Friday, July the 17th.

Elise does some drills in the soccer clinic she and Amy are involved in each morning this week at the school adjacent to the guesthouse.

Amy poses by some Bird of Paradise flowers.