crossing paths

Our trip across the country included a stop in Dallas

for meetings at our organization's headquarters.

In addition, we had the added delight of a short reunion with co-workers

whom we had learned to know and love in Davao

but who we hadn't seen for the past year.

 It was a very sweet time to catch up with these brothers and sisters of ours,

to reminisce, and to hear how God is leading in each family.

 The kids picked right up where they'd left off...

all ages enjoying being part of that familiar missionary community again.

As is so typical of my friend Leanne,

she opened her home to us, even though her husband was out of town,

and she suggested a time of prayer for us girls in the back room.

 Yes, I took a selfie to capture the moment.

Veronica, you may have never TAKEN a selfie, but you're in one now!

:grin:

The time was bitter sweet, as we all went our ways, 

not knowing when our paths may cross again.

But we know Who guides our paths,

and we thank Him for allowing us to walk alongside these precious people

at least for a little while.

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

in our new nest

Do you remember the little bird

who built her nest outside our kitchen window in May,

just as we were vacating our home and preparing to move back to the US?

The day before we returned our house keys to the landlord,

I peeked inside her nest, and this is what I saw:

She had found a place to stay.

And now we, after what seems like a very long time,

also have a place to stay,

a home for this year; 

a place composed of bits and pieces lovingly gathered together

by dear friends and church family members who prepared this 'nest' 

as a warm welcome for our family.

We were overwhelmed and blessed by their care for us,

and reminded all over again of our Heavenly Father's provision

of exactly what we need to make a home.

Just like He provided the twigs and feathers, grass and vines for the olive-backed sunbird,

 so He has, through His people and their kindness,

supplied just about all we need for this new nest.

Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, 

and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. 

Are you not of more value than they?

Matthew 6:26 

We hope you'll stop by for a visit!

Amy and Elise Skype with 3 friends at once in their new room

 Now that we're back, we'd love to spend some time with you.

You've heard all about us5 through our newsletters and blog,

now we'd love to hear about you, 

and how God has demonstrated His goodness in your lives!

 

one month ago

One month ago today we arrived back in our home country.

It's been a month of good things - of reasons to give thanks!

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; 

His love endures forever.

1 Chronicles 16:34

We've basked in the loveliness of the Northwest,

especially as we traipse through local trails.

We've treasured time with our families,

celebrating birthdays, early and late

(above, 5 family members share the candles on one cake!)

and catching up with one another.

There's nothing like family!

We love you all, and are deeply grateful for this time with you.

“There is no doubt that it is around the family 

and the home 

that all the greatest virtues, 

the most dominating virtues of human society,

 are created, strengthened and maintained.”
― Winston Churchill

yes, we're here!

Do you remember the Shire, Mr. Frodo? It'll be spring soon and the orchards will be in blossom, and the birds will be nesting in the hazel thicket. And the whistle in the summer barley in the Lower fields. And eating the first of the strawberries with cream. 

Do you remember the taste of strawberries?
-Tolkien

It's been over two weeks now since we landed in Seattle

and tasted strawberries again.

Jet lag, a tough trip, sickness, and exhausted minds and bodies from all that went before

left us very thankful for the loving welcome of family and for time to rest and be quiet.

Mark and his sister on a hike at Wallace Falls

Amy pulls out her watercolors

We've enjoyed time outdoors in some beautiful Seattle sunshine

breathing deeply of the cool, dry air.

Mark found and bought a car which we plan to drive cross-country in coming weeks

while Elise and Amy are studying a drivers manual in anticipation of learning to drive.

We've made intrepid forays into American grocery stores, 

stocked with more food options than seems believable.

Mark and Michael doing minor repairs to our 'new' Taurus

 Amy and Elise (below) flew to the east coast days after landing here,

where sweet friends cared for them,

(THANK YOU, G family!!)

and took them to the Student Orientation and Registration session

at the university they will attend this fall.

(They were gone just 5 days, and are back in Seattle again with us now!)

Thanks for the photo of Amy and Elise at Orientation, MEG! 

And Michael's been enjoying good cousin-time.

They've done some r/c building together, and went for a maiden flight this afternoon.

 Now that we've had time to rest, and to acclimatize back into American culture,

we're looking forward to spending time with more family and friends here in the NW.  

For any of you in the area who would like to get together, let's do it soon!

two suitcases and a carry-on

   Look around the house. If you were asked to whittle it all down to just two suitcases and a carry-on, what few things would make the cut?  Grandma’s cookie lifter.  All the handmade cards from our children.  The clothing that’s not yet threadbare.  A dog-eared book or two.  The computer, of course.  Snacks for the journey, and a pile of good-bye notes from friends.  Toothbrush.  A stuffed animal from childhood, and a Filipino sarong.

And so it is that when a man walks along a road, 

the lighter he travels, the happier he is;

-Tertullian

  That’s where we are now, all packed, ready to leave Davao tomorrow on an early morning flight.  Home and belongings have been distilled into a few suitcases.  They’re heavy enough, though we’ve left behind so many possessions that composed our home.  Our hearts are heavy too as we leave our place of service, our community of the family of God – loved ones we may never see again this side of Heaven. We will board the plane sad but grateful, smiling because it happened.

a few of our farewells

   As we disembark Tuesday evening, after over 30 hours of travel, we’ll be entering another world – yes, our own home culture, but somehow so foreign after daily life in S.E. Asia.  We may look just the same on the outside – Michael a little taller, Amy and Elise more sweet, Mark a little more handsome.  But inwardly we’ve been changed, impacted in inexplicable ways by these people and this place.  

So we zip up our suitcases, memories packed in tight, giving all thanks to God for His gift of these five years.

Go in peace! 

I will not say: do not weep; 

for not all tears are an evil.

J.R.R. Tolkien

 

We’ll see our American family and friends soon! 

How we’re looking forward to seeing your dear faces again!

happy, happy Christmas

Michael and Amy weigh a suitcase

Last Monday morning our bags were packed  and weighed,

and we traveled northward to St. Louis to return our rental van.

With a few extra hours to spare before taking our flight to the NW, 

we visited the St. Louis Arch,

the Gateway to the West.
(For us it's more of a gateway to the East...)

We rode to the top of the arch; 630 feet up.

The view from the top was breathtaking,

but not more so than the swaying of the arch

under us...

It was  good to get our feet back on firm ground again.

decorating the tree

Then on to Seattle, where we've been celebrating the season

together with family.

building gingerbread houses

  These are sweet times.

Happy, happy Christmas, 

that can win us back to the delusions of our childhood days, 

recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, 

and transport the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home!

~Charles Dickens

wending our way

The house was filled with the cheer of Christmas carols playing this week, but instead of unpacking boxes of ornaments to decorate the house, we packed up boxes of our personal things and squirreled them away in our friend A's attic (many, many thanks, A, for storing our things!) for hibernation during our next term overseas.

Then we swept the rooms, raked the yard, and packed our suitcases, all while saying good byes left and right to people we love here in Savannah.  It seems a strange way to celebrate the season of Christmas.

saying good byes

 

to friends we love...

But in the midst of it all we found time for a few Christmas traditions, 

like a ferry ride across the Savannah River to the Westin 

to see the Gingerbread houses, 

a gingerbread library!  how great is that?!?

to Leopold's for some of Savannah's very best ice cream, 

 

watching The Muppet's Christmas Carol while snuggled under blankets, 

 

and a grand finale of beauty 

in the majestic Lessons and Carols service 

at church on Sunday evening.

Elise and Amy join the youth choir one last time

more good-byes

And now, as you read this, 

we'll be wending our way across the country 

to spend the holidays with our dear families in the Northwest.  

And soon afterward we'll begin our travels back to the Philippines!  

We treasure your prayers for us in all of the transitions.  

Saying good bye is hard. 

It just always will be.  

  

But as Dr. Seuss said, "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."  

So we'll smile and give thanks for all these wonderful memories.
We hope you'll give thanks with us!
 

where did it go?

November flew by...

where did it go?

And the first week of December is almost past.

But the memories from November are fresh...

Memories of my sister and brother-in-law's special visit to Savannah,

when we explored Fort McAllister,

Michael mans a cannon

...and beautiful Jekyll Island together.

Yes, we saw a 'gator in the Jekyll Island swamps!

Memories of time outside, playing, working, 

savoring the fall temperatures and foliage.

photo from Wikipedia

Memories of college trips

 to explore options for fast-approaching college years...

Photo by Kay

Memories of time with friends.

Amy takes a shot

And memories of Thanksgiving, riding out to the field to shoot the big artillery

after savoring a simply scrumptious turkey dinner.

Elise aims

Michael's turn

Photo by Kay

All too soon it's gone.

but we treasure the remembering...

A pleasure is only full grown when it is remembered.

-C.S. Lewis