first Sunday

It's the day that I can confidently say the recovery from jet lag is complete.  It's been nice to be back on a "normal" sleeping pattern...aside from a few evenings where the curious eyes don't have the self control to turn off  Netflix until after 2am.  Today is also the day I make it to church undeterred from jet lag or dry throat hackings that were a result of coming back to the moisture sucking dry air of Arizona [after enjoying the heavenly heavy tropical humidity of home].  

Mike checked Mav and the girls in while I went on ahead to the sanctuary.  It's nice to see familiar faces and hear the familiar sounds of Justin Unger doing a small warm up leading to praise and worship.  All of a sudden, it's as though the Lord's reminding me that I'm not allowed to get all caught up and comfortable being back.  Don't get too attached to every new face.  This is really no longer your "home" as it's been called for the past ten years.  I am going back home.  Home to my people on my country islands.  Tears got shoved away as I waited for Mike.  For some reason the P&W songs picked for today didn't have that typical stirring ring.  This would explain why I found myself just listening to the lyrics and not contributing much vocally.   Unfortunately, Pastor Lee has [temporarily?] stepped down from teaching....and when the senior pastor is not teaching, the heart wonders what locum tenens could possibly be just as good. Though it didn't have the same meaty angel, it was enough to wet the appetite. 

  

From June2011

We spent some time in the studio with David Johannes of Within Reach Global at the station.  It was the first time we had done any video shooting for our fundraising presentation.  David is a great encourager and coach.  I couldn't get over the giggles.  We only did two takes each.  On the second take the giggles  and the verbiage mess ups were getting a bit more frequent.  All Mike could repeatedly say to me was, "you are so cute."  I know better....or rather, feel differently with the over abundant poundage.   I sent David home with the SD card that has nearly all the video footage from the Manila trip.  The rest of the video was taken on my olympus camera.  Because the HD camera is so small, it was hard for me to keep a steady hand.  So, I'm really not sure how much of the video footage he can use.  He's well aware.  However, the few by Divisoria he should be able to use...especially to get "the masses" imputed into our presentation.  

Lorna leaves for Manila on the first of August.  If only there was nothing holding me back from going with her.   David then goes on to Kunming China where there will be leadership training in September before he heads onto to Manila.  In our first time together at Starbucks he did ask if we'd be willing to partner with them [after our move to Manila] in starting up a street kids ministry.  That was definitely music to my ears so I let him know that would be more me, and less Mike since his primary priority will be at the station.  I believe that's a plan...and I definitely look forward to having the kids participate as weekends, holidays and vacations permit amidst school.  This will be fantastical for them.

We are SO excited!

a quote floating around: If you're NOT being treated with love & respect, check your "price tag". Perhaps you have marked yourself down. It's you who tell people what you're worth BY WHAT YOU ACCEPT. Get off the "clearance rack" and get behind the glass where they keep all the "valuables." The bottom line is - "value" yourself more.