Life is full of surprises and changes. I finally have a classroom and I'm so happy! I've been teaching Kiara for two years now and for that whole time we never had a classroom. It was always the living room, the dinning room, or my room, but never a proper room where I could teach. But now my dream has finally come true.
I also have a brand new pupil--Brendan, Kiara's new little brother. He's almost 4 months. I know that's kinda young, but who says he can't learn? So far he can hold his head up, stick his toes in his mouth, and of course make the scariest poop packages you've ever seen! He's so lovely I wish you could see him. He smiles more than any baby I've seen so far.
Things are so different now being with the two of them. Kiara takes being the big sister really well and loves to help. She likes watching when I change his diaper and then throwing the used diaper in the trash. (So funny the things that make little ones happy!) When Brendan wakes up from naps he's usually content to amuse himself by playing games like: "let's see if I can get my toe in my mouth". Reading is the most important subject with Kiara right now and when little man is busy I get more focused time with her.
Now Reading is a whole 'nother subject. I'm so excited and thrilled to see Kiara progress in reading. I always knew tiny guys could learn how to read, that's what I was told. But I never really got to see it till now. Kiara can read! I think I have to say it again because I'm so happy. Kiara can read! It's like a teacher's dream to see the results of what you pour into that little one. There's so much more she can do and I'm so proud of her, reading is just the latest thing right now. We have a little book just for her that I write words and sentences in. Then we draw a picture about what I wrote, and she gets to color it after reading. She's a little shy and whenever I encourage her to read to others she's a little hesitant. But when she gets the courage to read to others a page from her book, she gets all excited and a little proud too. Oh, it's so cute to watch!
In spite of all the little frustrations, times of fatigue, poopy diaper after poopy diaper, or the constant "why,why?", teaching is fun--and I'm proud to be a teacher!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Adorable
I was feeling a little sad that I haven't been putting up any pictures on my blog. It looks a little empty...So I decided to share some of my favorite cutie animal pictures with you!
"Just a little stretch..." 
"Heeheehee, no one will find me here!"
"Who cares if you're wrinkly? I still love you."
"This suit is a little tight but just what I need. I've always wanted to have spikes and look fearsome."
"Ooohhhhh, I just love you!"
"Just a little stretch..." 
"Heeheehee, no one will find me here!"
"Who cares if you're wrinkly? I still love you."
"This suit is a little tight but just what I need. I've always wanted to have spikes and look fearsome."
"Ooohhhhh, I just love you!"As You Pour Out…
Sometimes when talking and pouring out to people special things happen. I’m naturally very shy, so going up to complete strangers and talking to them has never been easy. Just yesterday though, I got to go witnessing at the university. I hadn’t been out personal witnessing in a long time and I felt a bit nervous about how I would do. This time was different; okay I did feel a little shy, but it wasn’t that paralyzing and nerve-racking fear. Usually my stomach gets in knots, my heart races, and my hands tremble. None of that this time, I felt perfect peace and I didn’t even have second thoughts about approaching people.
It was almost time to go home when I starting talking to this one guy. I gave him a tract and told him about our work and a bit about my life and background. He in turn told me about how he discovered Jesus and what he was now doing. We talked about the country and the economic and political situations in the world. He told me how he loves to teach and was just getting ready to give a Bible class to his students that evening.
Just when I thought it was about time to leave he offered to pray for me. I was a little surprised as I had been offering to pray for the different people I had met and now someone wanted to pray for me! I said sure, we sat down and he took my hand and started praying for me. It’s nice to have people pray for you, but it’s even more special when it’s a complete stranger. He prayed an amazing prayer—amazing because mentioned things in his prayer that I had not even told him, he must have gotten it in the spirit. I think that to know things and to pray prayers like that you have to be really close to Jesus. It felt like there was an angel telling him what to say and what I needed prayer for.
Something similar actually happened to me earlier this year. I never got to write it down but I never forgot it and never will. A few of us had attended a wedding party/event being organized by our friend. She had wanted us to help at the event and witness to the people. We agreed to be there and we helped as waiters. We were also all dressed up as people from Bible times. Imagine a headdress and long robes and you’ve got the picture. It was fun serving drinks, talking to people, and making sure there was enough food and snacks. People were really intrigued by our strange dress and were very eager to talk. We got to witness to a good number of people that day.
Later in the evening we were supposed to keep the coffee table running. I remember thinking that there were so many people. Between Joy, Gina, and myself we barely managed to keep the table going. Just as we’d put down new coffee cups and saucers they’d be gone! But it was fun and people were so appreciative and sweet, they kept on thanking us.
A little later I was putting out new dishes, things had calmed down and the girls went to take care of the food. A lady came up to get coffee and her and I started talking. She inquired about our dress and nationalities. Most people that day thought Joy, Gina, and I were triplets and possibly from the Middle East. I explained that our parents are French and Filipino and that we were all full-time missionaries. She was so impressed when I told her about our work and she shared what she was doing as well.
I don’t really remember how it happened, she came around the table and we kept talking. Then it was almost like she started prophesying, she starting asking personal questions and saying things that she couldn’t have known. She held my hands and told me how precious I was and kept blessing me for serving the Lord. Then she started praying for me holding my hands all the while. I felt like it was Jesus right there, someone knew everything about me, my faults and weaknesses, my doubts and fears, and was praying for me and strengthening and encouraging my spirit. It was so powerful I had tingles all over my body and I started crying.
I was going through a really difficult time spiritually and emotionally and was tired of fighting the battles. I would never have told a complete stranger all these things, but she already knew! It’s hard to find words to describe the whole thing. In her prayer she said, “She loves you so much Jesus and she just wants to serve You with her whole heart. You bless her Jesus, You give her the desires of her heart. Help her not to get discouraged, strengthen her faith. Bless her for giving to others every day even when she gets nothing in return. Bless her for the little things she does every day, the things that nobody knows about but You know Jesus. You see her heart and You know she loves you more that anything.”
I cried and cried, how could she know what I felt, how did she know what I was thinking? Jesus was the only person I had really told about the little things and the struggles I faced each day. I just felt His love so strongly as the spirit spoke through this woman. It was truly amazing!
When she finished praying she squeezed my hands. I wanted to hug her and thank her for her prayer. She reached out saying, “we can hug we’re sisters”. I thanked her and we hugged, I was still in awe at what just transpired. She squeezed me tight then we both acknowledged our need to be elsewhere. She went to get coffee and she was gone. It was like the Lord anointed her for something special, to pour out to someone else but now it was done and she was back to her normal self. I went back to serving and I didn’t get to see her again, or say goodbye. I haven’t seen her since but I know that Jesus sent her to touch my life in a special way, and to let me know His love for me. I won’t forget that lady and I will always be grateful to her and to her willingness to obey the Lord even in the little things like: praying for a stranger.
It was almost time to go home when I starting talking to this one guy. I gave him a tract and told him about our work and a bit about my life and background. He in turn told me about how he discovered Jesus and what he was now doing. We talked about the country and the economic and political situations in the world. He told me how he loves to teach and was just getting ready to give a Bible class to his students that evening.
Just when I thought it was about time to leave he offered to pray for me. I was a little surprised as I had been offering to pray for the different people I had met and now someone wanted to pray for me! I said sure, we sat down and he took my hand and started praying for me. It’s nice to have people pray for you, but it’s even more special when it’s a complete stranger. He prayed an amazing prayer—amazing because mentioned things in his prayer that I had not even told him, he must have gotten it in the spirit. I think that to know things and to pray prayers like that you have to be really close to Jesus. It felt like there was an angel telling him what to say and what I needed prayer for.
Something similar actually happened to me earlier this year. I never got to write it down but I never forgot it and never will. A few of us had attended a wedding party/event being organized by our friend. She had wanted us to help at the event and witness to the people. We agreed to be there and we helped as waiters. We were also all dressed up as people from Bible times. Imagine a headdress and long robes and you’ve got the picture. It was fun serving drinks, talking to people, and making sure there was enough food and snacks. People were really intrigued by our strange dress and were very eager to talk. We got to witness to a good number of people that day.
Later in the evening we were supposed to keep the coffee table running. I remember thinking that there were so many people. Between Joy, Gina, and myself we barely managed to keep the table going. Just as we’d put down new coffee cups and saucers they’d be gone! But it was fun and people were so appreciative and sweet, they kept on thanking us.
A little later I was putting out new dishes, things had calmed down and the girls went to take care of the food. A lady came up to get coffee and her and I started talking. She inquired about our dress and nationalities. Most people that day thought Joy, Gina, and I were triplets and possibly from the Middle East. I explained that our parents are French and Filipino and that we were all full-time missionaries. She was so impressed when I told her about our work and she shared what she was doing as well.
I don’t really remember how it happened, she came around the table and we kept talking. Then it was almost like she started prophesying, she starting asking personal questions and saying things that she couldn’t have known. She held my hands and told me how precious I was and kept blessing me for serving the Lord. Then she started praying for me holding my hands all the while. I felt like it was Jesus right there, someone knew everything about me, my faults and weaknesses, my doubts and fears, and was praying for me and strengthening and encouraging my spirit. It was so powerful I had tingles all over my body and I started crying.
I was going through a really difficult time spiritually and emotionally and was tired of fighting the battles. I would never have told a complete stranger all these things, but she already knew! It’s hard to find words to describe the whole thing. In her prayer she said, “She loves you so much Jesus and she just wants to serve You with her whole heart. You bless her Jesus, You give her the desires of her heart. Help her not to get discouraged, strengthen her faith. Bless her for giving to others every day even when she gets nothing in return. Bless her for the little things she does every day, the things that nobody knows about but You know Jesus. You see her heart and You know she loves you more that anything.”
I cried and cried, how could she know what I felt, how did she know what I was thinking? Jesus was the only person I had really told about the little things and the struggles I faced each day. I just felt His love so strongly as the spirit spoke through this woman. It was truly amazing!
When she finished praying she squeezed my hands. I wanted to hug her and thank her for her prayer. She reached out saying, “we can hug we’re sisters”. I thanked her and we hugged, I was still in awe at what just transpired. She squeezed me tight then we both acknowledged our need to be elsewhere. She went to get coffee and she was gone. It was like the Lord anointed her for something special, to pour out to someone else but now it was done and she was back to her normal self. I went back to serving and I didn’t get to see her again, or say goodbye. I haven’t seen her since but I know that Jesus sent her to touch my life in a special way, and to let me know His love for me. I won’t forget that lady and I will always be grateful to her and to her willingness to obey the Lord even in the little things like: praying for a stranger.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Internet
Ahhhh, the little things in life we take for granted. Like internet. Sigh. Our new house is not completelly set up yet and one of the things we don't really have is internet. Right now all the people with desk ministries share one tiny little G3. It's expensive but we have to do it for the work. I don't have a desk yet so I can't set up my ancient laptop. So right now I'm at a cyber cafe...yoohoo! Contact with the outside world, ooohhhh! Yeah, it's things like that, that I take for granted untill I don't have it anymore. It's a bit expensive to be here but I thought it was worth it to write you. Don't give up on me though. I love you!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Little Creatures
There's so much to discover at our new house. There's no end to the freaky and strange bugs and creepy-crawly-creatures that we keep finding! Just last night we found this terrifyingly ugly creature. It looks like a spider but it has ten legs and mandibles. I caught it(this was before I had a good look at it) and we put it in a big glass jar. Gabe is collecting strange things as he hopes to make a collection of it. Well, it's just plain creepy, it gives me the shivers every time I think of it.
We also found a snake in our house the other day. Gabe caught it and we discovered it's a poisonous snake. Oh well, I guess we have to be more mindful and not walk barefoot.
We also found a snake in our house the other day. Gabe caught it and we discovered it's a poisonous snake. Oh well, I guess we have to be more mindful and not walk barefoot.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Chips
French fries or chips are soooooo yummy! I'm sure you agree with me. During the move, when we had the trucks over, we decided we wanted to eat chips. It was Thursday last week and the truck had already left with the stuff and a few of us were left home to clean and do whatever was needed. Steve had left with the truck and I had managed to make a few sandwiches for him to take along.
We didn't really have anything to eat at home, we had moved the whole kitchen to the new house. Joy, Tim, and I decided to take a break and just go eat out. Give ourselves a little treat for working so hard...you know? Anyway, we took a little walk to Attebury and found a little chip stand. By this time we were starving so we bought nice big boxes of chips and I got a ham and cheese sandwich. We were so tired and hungry so that led to foolishness and we were being silly with the lady making us the food. Joy and I kept of teasing Tim and telling the lady to put chutney sauce on his fries. Of course Tim didn't want chutney sauce with his fries but the lady would play along with us and it was just so funny.
Once we got and paid for the food we found a bench to sit down. Ahhhh, it was so nice to relax and eat fries! It's so fun to be with Joy and Tim, they're so cute together.I think eating good food is really soothing for a weary soul. You should try it sometime.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
New House, Unpacking, And Other Tidbits...
We have now officially moved into our new house! Since then we have been busy unpacking, cleaning, and moving heavy furniture. I carried so many heavy things that I had such a backache for a few days. It's a weird feeling, you feel sorta like an old man, only minus the grey beard and wrinkles. I wish you could see how much stuff we have. It's crazy! I felt like we should just get rid of half the stuff. It takes forever to unpack and find a place for everything...
Being in a new house takes some getting used to. The first few nights I didn't sleep so well. That's also because we have a new bed! You know how it is, all of a sudden you have new factors like: mosquitoes, strange noises, strange smells(we have a thatch roof), strange sounds. The first morning after getting up I was looking out of our balcony and I saw a bunch of blesbok(a type of antelope) grazing near our property. That was cool!
For the two days we had the moving truck Steve was in charge of all the moving. He was the "moving manager" and took care of telling the movers what to take and out what to leave, what goes on the first or second trip. Then he also had to ride with them and direct the offloading. It was such a big job and he almost missed eating meals. I had to run around and make sure he had food to eat and make him lunch, etc otherwise he wouldn't eat. I'm so proud of him though and I don't know what we would've done without him.
A few guys from other home came to help: Phil, Ben, and Ben. They did so much for us and we're so thankful to them for their help. We also had Tim to help us for a few days of the move. He was such a big help and it would've been a lot harder without him. He did cooking, carrying furniture and boxes, cleaning, and much more. Of course Joy was happy to have Tim at our house so that was a double blessing. THANK YOU GUYS FOR ALL YOUR HELP!
Pretty much everyone(except Kiara and Brendan) is suffering from extreme fatigue and aches and pains. But, praise the Lord, we did it. It's not really over yet, there's still lots more to move and arrange. The good new is, is that we've made it this far and we're still alive! I love you all and thank you for thinking and praying for us.
Being in a new house takes some getting used to. The first few nights I didn't sleep so well. That's also because we have a new bed! You know how it is, all of a sudden you have new factors like: mosquitoes, strange noises, strange smells(we have a thatch roof), strange sounds. The first morning after getting up I was looking out of our balcony and I saw a bunch of blesbok(a type of antelope) grazing near our property. That was cool!
For the two days we had the moving truck Steve was in charge of all the moving. He was the "moving manager" and took care of telling the movers what to take and out what to leave, what goes on the first or second trip. Then he also had to ride with them and direct the offloading. It was such a big job and he almost missed eating meals. I had to run around and make sure he had food to eat and make him lunch, etc otherwise he wouldn't eat. I'm so proud of him though and I don't know what we would've done without him.
A few guys from other home came to help: Phil, Ben, and Ben. They did so much for us and we're so thankful to them for their help. We also had Tim to help us for a few days of the move. He was such a big help and it would've been a lot harder without him. He did cooking, carrying furniture and boxes, cleaning, and much more. Of course Joy was happy to have Tim at our house so that was a double blessing. THANK YOU GUYS FOR ALL YOUR HELP!
Pretty much everyone(except Kiara and Brendan) is suffering from extreme fatigue and aches and pains. But, praise the Lord, we did it. It's not really over yet, there's still lots more to move and arrange. The good new is, is that we've made it this far and we're still alive! I love you all and thank you for thinking and praying for us.
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