crescendo halt

Life is so intricately custom designed and orchestrated by God Almighty for every individual.  It's amazing to step back and look at where there were crescendos, decrescendos and plateaus.  While plateaus came be nice every now and then, too many can create havoc of sorts. This month's orchestra seems to be starting off right smack dab in the middle of a crescendo with Mike getting ready to go back out to Davao for the biannual on air fundraising. He's had much prepping to do along with our personal challenges as overseas missionaries.  Our challenges may seem like nothing to the average local because they are so used to the evolved island living.  We are only challenged because we come from the western world of comforts where service is spot on, where toilets flush like they "should", where traffic regulations make sense, where driving courtesy is the norm....where it's simply much easier.  

But unlike playing by a music sheet, there is no way to see where crescendos and decrescendos will happen.  The pitchy bugle blast was waking up this morning to an apparent flood line on the vehicle, which sits higher than the average car.  A line so high that the water was apparently all the way up to the seats.  High enough to flood the oil, the transmission, the side cylinder, the starter....and the list goes on.  Flooding is always bad news for every vehicle.  For weeks we've had short bouts of heavy tropical rain but no flooding since the last typhoon.  So, this stealthy flood was not long lasting.  It's a joy of living in an area where the drainage is so bad off.

The Lord knows our petitions that would help cushion the challenges of overseas mission life.  We could use a cost effective house on higher ground, a house with at least one more bedroom, a full time Ate [house helper] or two and a better built vehicle.  Yes, home making is so much harder here. I have no interest in listing all the ways.  ^_^ But that's why every missionary has one.  

I will miss my husband next week.  But thank God, it's only for a week.  

floodzone

August 18th developed from a nice chill Sunday morning to heavy tropical rains in the afternoon and into the evening.  Monday morning was a flood day.  Ever been in and experienced heavy tropical rain?  It's loud as thunder.  So thick.  So beautiful.  It's what keeps the tropical flora so thick and lush.  Since it didn't seem to want to let up Mike put the car up into our steep driveway.  That's one of the only reasons we picked this house to rent.  It's high off the street and less likely to get flooded.  This village gets flooded every year during typhoon season.

3am Monday morning Faith Academy sent out word that school was cancelled for the day due to flooding. Good thing because our street was under six inches of water...give or take.  The girls were not so happy.  They love being at school so much they don't like weekends, let alone being forced to stay home because of flooding.  It was perfect for.....me and me alone. (cheesy devilish chuckle).  I had my husband home and all my 6 other favorite peeps.  Leave-the-fan-off-temps, all day long HAWt coffee, kindle reading....what could possibly be better?  

The rain just would not let up so Tuesday morning was the same only even more "exciting".  Even though the water never reached up the entire seven feet to our house, moving electronics and other expensive precious things was good practice.  Another day of taking turns in the kitchen and family bonding like we hadn't done since the school year started.  

Wednesday.  Back on track.  Back to school.  Have hubby home for one more day.  Still have the sweat-free satisfying temperatures..... It was a short lived vacation to be loved while it lasted.  This tropical business is glorious living.
````````

several boats came but we hailed them through while continuing to move electronics
...but ended up not needing them after all

His faithfulness

For over a year the girls have been praying daily.  They've been praying and trusting that Jesus hears their prayers, cares about their petitions and will remain faithful as they trust him.  Sierra first saw the result of prayer and trust back in March when she first asked Jesus to bring her daddy home from Davao for the weekend.  Her daddy showed up at the gate that late Friday night and she broke down in intensely grateful tears.  

They were so jacked happy to enjoy camp where they made friends and packed as much fun with those new friends as possible over a four day period.  The summer finished and they watched the boys register for the new school year.  The first morning of school registration and orientation was extremely difficult as a parent to witness what felt like a death that had suddenly swept through the house for the girls [not me mind you].  Another year of home schooling with little to no opportunity to be with friends and helping mom at home was not exactly their idea of real living.  Before I left with the boys, we three ladies sat down.  It was my mother duck moment in which I gathered my limping chicks under my wing.  They were given the freedom to express with honesty what was going on inside.  Without being preachy [at least I tried not to be] I encouraged them to keep trusting that Jesus heard them, that his timing is always perfect, thus we should never think that the opportunity is over for him to move on their behalf because he is faithful.  If he is faithful to provide for the birds of the air and the fish of the sea, he will be more faithful for his children.  I know Jesus is faithful and I live in the peace that passes understanding.  He's given me a lifetime of reasons to live there. But the girlies.....obviously, that's a different story.  Their story.  His story. It's  still under spiritually gestational development in their very young lives. 

Just as I had suspected and lived in the peace of trusting, Jesus was not done with our petition as they have long prayed for the funds in order for them to attend Faith Academy this year.     Last week, during the boys' first full week of school, we received more inquiries from a supporting family concerning Faith Academy tuition costs for the girls. Then on Thursday evening they messaged and asked again for the total amount still needed so they could mail the check. We didn't say anything to the girls right away.  Mike wanted to do it right.  With him having a big Positively Pinoy app kickoff in Makati with all the volunteers, we wanted to make sure that how the Lord worked his hands to make this happen IN HIS TIMING was well worded for their understanding.  His faithfulness to our family must be given it's due recognition, respect and gratitude .....as a family. 

It was a devotional that happened shortly after he got home late afternoon -  early evening.  Mike used the story of Martha, Mary and Lazarus.  There is no such thing as lost opportunity for God to move and prove his faithfulness to his children.  He moves when he means to.  If he always moved when we expected and planned he wouldn't get the recognition for it.  We'd be taking credit far more often than we should.  This family devotional moment was one of the most beautiful moments in time as Jesus took ALL the credit.  May there be more moments in which our family remembers to praise him for his faithfulness and humble ourselves to total trust and obedience.  For only then can we continue to freely live in assurance of his care for us...to finish the work he started in/for us.  He called us to this place for his glory.  Of course he will provide.  All over Scripture that's what he promises and assures us.  There is peace and freedom when we choose to trust.  

 little man says he can handle his mommy and big bro Maverick
 on his own just fine ^_^

Friday evening I received the message that the check had been sent for the total amount for the girls.  I didn't tell the girls until Saturday morning.  Sunday afternoon the rain started while we picked up some school items for the girls in Taytay.  Got home and got word that Typhoon Utor [the season's first typhoon] was quick approaching.  Monday morning the girls got their physicals taken care of, we did their online registration and turned in all the documents at the school even though classes were cancelled.  The Filipino employees were working the offices so the typhoon ended up being a blessing so that the girls wouldn't be even more behind already starting the year late with their classmates.  Fortunately, the uniform store was open.

With a tiny hurdle first thing in the morning at the registrar's office the girl's first day was a long time coming today.  I've grown so accustomed to the girls' help in the house and with the baby, but the stress of  relearning how to home school [just] one child and keep up with our busy body toddler was avoided by the simple re-assurance of what's happening.  These are surreal moments. That Jesus is faithful to those that practice obedience in trust.  There is unspeakable joy knowing that if he provides for big ticket items, he will certainly continue to provide for each month, the rest of the year...etc.  No need to stress or fear over bank statements for any reason.   There are a lot of home schooling missionaries in the community.  I pray they experience the same blessing very soon.

what a prize

It was a big day for ‪‎Edge Radio‬ A big day for the volunteers. It was the big kick off into a new chapter. A new logo. A new effort to help the locals take pride in their identity through positive media. So, Mike had the car. I didn't even get to see him off this morning at such an ungodly hour. Maybe he didn't want to interrupt my rhythmic snoring pattern. I don't know. But none-the-less, after a year of toil, sacrifice and burning of the midnight oil today was the launch all the volunteers had been waiting for. While Mike prepped, set up and lead the excited generation into their launch I stayed home to fulfill the wifely duties as usual. All duties require some seriously literal sweat because it's that dang HAWT and humid on the island. But today there was a little break I had been looking forward to. Today there would finally be a little catch-up with another MK/FA alumni now FA teacher....over coffee. But this would require some more sweating to get there... after the day's first refresher shower. Public transportation can be fun. Personally, I totally dig the jeepnies. They're cheap and so ubiquitous no need to fear not getting to your destination. This little cutie couldn't get his eyes off me. My presence kept him from finishing his mama's milk. Nor could he stop smiling. He's their first baby and a complete dollbaby. So, we flirted with each other until it was time for me to get off at my destination. These sweet beautiful encounters add a tiny piece of heaven to the mission because He makes beautiful things out of us. What a prize. What a beauty. What a treasure.

new season

There are many parts of the world that experience four seasonal changes.  Quite possibly these islands only have one season with no change...HAWT.  There are claims of two but it's definitely debatable. After a fly-by-night summer break we finally started another school year on the 1st of August.

Dylan was apprehensive but excited.  He's a high achiever expecting much of himself so often self inflicting stress to make sure he accomplishes beyond what's expected in order to be more than safe.  Mediocrity is not his typical strategy for anything.  Excited to head out of the relaxed summer he was because doing almost nothing most certainly doesn't define him.

Tyler's excited because what he missed most was being active.  Faith Academy has high expectations for physical activity.  He fell in love with it last year and missed it so much over the summer.  The best part for him, I've observed, is being active with his friends.

I watched, from the front of the newly renovated face of  the Faith Academy high school offices [which back in my day was the main office], with renewed anticipation for my boys, the other students, the staff and myself.  Here starts another chapter in our transient lives.  Renewed goals, more achievements, another level of success, and more life to experience.  Then there was Keith. As often as he can, he gets up so early every morning, is at the school so early in the morning, has the encouraging Scriptural words picked out and printed for the day...and then he moves like lightening through the halls handing out these words and verbalizes his own encouragement to as many kids as he can. Things like, "you look beautiful today...I'm so happy to see you..."  The man's plethora of encouragement is what the kids need as they face each day's academic, social and spiritual challenges.  It was pure delight to watch this first morning of the first day of this new school year unfold in so many beautiful moments.

True to the command that our words should be encouraging and uplifting, the students are blessed 
with a teacher that loves, cares and encourages so radically. He greets them all with God's encouraging 
words which reminds us all of the profound value he created us with as only God Almighty can. This is how 
they start their day. This is how they get through their day.....and this is how it should be throughout 
the entire Jesus loving community. Not for our own praise but for Jesus himself. For by this they will know....

students catching up with each other and figuring out their schedules

While I was excited, there is this thorn in my side that can't seem to get pulled out.  Regret and resentment promise nothing but the company of pain. An aching for the years God robbed me of.  Years I strongly believed should have been spent here with my friends.  This was home.  They were my heart and he robbed me of them.  But those years are long gone.  Childhood friends got their near perfect high school.  They experienced everything this heart was deprived of.  They got all the moments they ever dreamed of cherishing.  Their memory files are packed full of treasures safely burried beneath the sands of time...to be recalled in great sentiments at every reunion or small reuniting of sorts.  So, for each treasured moment as I enjoy student watching [and watching of my own,] as they high five returning friends and lock arms together into a new year, there are sweet bitter tears that haven't stopped dripping off the sentimental faucet.  Yet, without these tears and without this nagging thorn in my side, I seriously doubt that I could ever treasure days like today as much as I do.  Such an odd pairing of emotions that apparently work to constantly feed on each other fueling and fanning the flames of God authored sentiments.  After all, he's the one that orchestrated every chapter and sustains my every breath.  Uniting passion with emotion, purpose with drive, and experience with sentiment.  So, maybe....just maybe that thorn shouldn't be gotten rid of after all.  

Bobbi's first day teaching at ‪#‎FaithAcademy‬ who-da thought when we met back in 5th grade 
(the Wullimans' first year as dorm parents...in the white dorm) that this day would come and 
she'd be my kid's English teacher?! ^_^

one year anniversary

July 26, 2012 we landed for the first time [with the entire family] in Manila.  What a ride that was....and what a ride the first year has been.  It's too hot to move an inch, or else I would've logged on more to describe more of this first year.  Maybe if I had signed up for AdSense, it would've been the incentive to do just that despite. Laugh, chuckle and snicker.

The last weeks in Arizona were strangely surreal.  Back in the 80's when a newly missionary family set sail [so to speak] for new overseas lands there was typically more expressed last minute must do gatherings of sorts before the final good-bye.  Maybe even more endearing words and affection of farewells and best wishes.  I don't know.  Maybe I'm wrong.  But today's ever evolving media technology has buffed the need for that some.  I didn't want to keep verbalizing in public "hey, by the way we're leaving in just a few days....!" The idea seemed selfishly weird to me.  But what a blessings that there was a farewell gathering set up at the station so Mike and we 7 others could hug our farewells to those that knew of the occasion.  Those that came I can still remember the few faces of.  They were very sweet in their words and truly saddened by the quickly approaching departure that would take away the one voice they learned to love so much over the air waves hundreds of miles away across the Pacific.  There's just one thing.  Such gatherings can also make it hard to truly spend the time we would've really liked to spend with each individual/couple/family recalling great memories and what not.  But that's typically the way it is.  It doesn't matter how you cut that social puppy.  A big farewell gathering will always have that as the draw back.

The last two Sundays at church were such odd surreal moments.  I sat there in mushy sentimental [but lonely] moments reminding myself of how I once lamented that there would never be such a thing as last Sunday in Arizona.  But here it was.  Oh, how Jesus truly answers the prayer of a woman who's ached to be a missionary for over two decades...knowing full well that was his calling for my life.  So I sat there for two Sundays excited and wondering a few selfish thoughts.  The teenagers didn't verbalize much, if anything, of the last Sunday regret.  Maybe they kept it painfully to themselves.  Maybe they didn't.

There was more sentimental glee than sadness as the departing moments quickly approached.  While, for everyone else in the family it was the opposite.  All the things I had prayed for were about to come true.  My kids would learn a few things from another culture, their other heritage, another climate, the MK life and perspective, make new friends, appreciate God more, appreciate God's blessings on America more, become less selfish, gain a more servant like heart, become more multi-cultural sensitive...etc.  All the good things that come from being an MK.  Never ever having gone beyond American borders before they had no idea what they were in for.  Sure, that was part of their major apprehension.  What isn't for any kid new to overseas missions, right?  Soon, their lives would change and never be the same ever again....ever.

What an emotional chaotic and beautiful morning of last hugs and kisses.
It was so good to be loved so much.  Last moments in Prescott.  Last moments in Arizona.

Friends came the morning of with coffee from starbucks [for me!!! ^_^] other treats and hugs.  I can't remember who brought the donuts.  Naughty they were for doing so....but it was perfect for Mike, the Krispy Kreme addict.  Adorable Dori came with one daughter and passion to help me literally clear out the rest of our remains and get those 17 pieces of  allowed luggage closed.  Maleah spent the night withe Sierra and Nicole came to give Tori one last hug.  There were a good number of teenage boys to see Dylan and Tyler off.  Tyler's last tears were heavy after having started out the morning with a rush over to Marcus' house [a very dear friend he didn't get to see all summer] to say good-bye only to be told that Marcus was some distance away working.  Oh, wait pain to see your own teenage boy cry so hard.  Oh, such pain.  Probably the most hated moment for him...and the most hated moment for me. I still fight tears remembering those moments because he spent several hours walking back out, up and down our street crying his heart out.

Such a treat to have Charlie and Cathy come, hugs us fervently and Charlie help transport all our luggage...with a small mishap breakdown on the way to Phoenix.  What a dear couple to us.  I just wish we'd had more time to get to know them better before our flight out...more than a year.

What organized chaotic moments of physical, mental, psychological and emotional frenzy.  There's nothing like being caught up in those kind of moments and wondering what in the world just happened moments later.  Certain life moments just happen so fast the inner you feels ill equipped to keep up enough to truly soak it in right.  Maybe that's the way it is with every move and every geographical change for big families.

As the plane raced down the runway, everyone's hearts were taking a big dive.  So much ache.  So much apprehension and so much "I can't believe this is happening."  Their eyes said it all.  Their faces said it all.  Everyone but me. It felt like a last dash race to freedom.  Something that only I could understand.  For I have yet to meet another soul that ached for this as much, or more, as I.  Mike was just as excited but on a different level.  It was a good excitement as he recalled all the ways God ordained each and every step to this day and the new chapter fast approaching.  The moment the wheels lifted off Arizona soil, there was the heart skip that words could never justify.

Charlie got a smile and a fist bump from Maverick before leaving us at the Phoenix airport.
The hero that helped get all our luggage to the airport.
After all the times we drove to California, this was the first time we'd ever taken the kids out for a cruise through Hollywood.

 The following week in California was probably the best lay over the kids, Mike and I could have ever had.  Not only were they able to hang to all things American, but they were able to do so with one last day with our awesome friends: Pat and Heather Eddolls and company.  We first took care of the rest of the dual citizenships for Dylan, Maverick and Orlando.  Something perfectly necessary to be able to stay in the Philippines without the annual need to renew visas and flying out of country to do so.  On that day we enjoyed a little bit of LA culture as we drove through Korea town and hunted through a thick Filipino restaurant business community to find some great pinoy grub.  The kids were sentimental with their last week of swimming on the California beaches.  They savored the last Papa John's pies with every bite.  They texted their Arizona friends like only kids do in their last week on American soil.  I tried to simply relax knowing the next chapter would start out with so much to do [never realizing what organized frenzy was truly around the corner].

Sam posted on facebook that he was in Ocean Side, California with his relatives.  The boys seemed to pine for an opportunity when telling me about it, not realizing Ocean Side was the day's surprise.  After two hours driving down the coast, they were pretty jacked to see Sam, Josh and the rest of the familiar faces.  All day they enjoyed the pool and beach together.  In the evening we enjoyed some singing together.

Finally it was the biggest fly out day ever for the kids.  It was the long anticipated and new adventure.  While Mike took care of returning the rental van, I sweat through the counter line with the kids trying to reorganize the suitcases, reshifting the weight of each one and filling out the luggage tags.  Maybe she's been around for years.  I don't really care.  But the woman working the lines that day was a divine angel carrying my pieces of luggage back and forth to and from the scale letting me know where the weight was on each one so as none would go over the alotted amount while others well under.  By the time I was done, Mike had made it to us and he was able to finish all the counter check-in dealings.  There's truly nothing like sweating all that with six kids and one of them being only three months old.  He handled it all quite well.  By the time that was over and we had gotten to our gate there was no time to even think about texting Tom Walker [FA 80's alumni].  We'd develop kinda sorta an accountability type of texting relationship over the past year in which we shared Scriptural encouragement.  He'd caught the Jesus fire and was balancing work with seminary school.  I'd planned and promised to let him know when we were at the LAX so he'd know when to pray for traveling mercies.  So much for that.  It was nothing but pure rush until we finally had all the kids boarded and situated in their seats...and the baby was latched and nursing.

Tokyo was the first unlisted stop where we got a little walk about exercise while the plane got cleaned and reset the the rest of the leg to Singapore.  Singapore Airlines turned out to be a nice airline.  We'd heard good things about it and we were thrilled that they had the cheaper one way fair for all of us.  Singapore was the brutal layover where we had to wait for 12 hours.  The airport has a lot of free internet screen stands where you can get on for a limited time.  Of course we checked facebook pretty often.  Told everybody where we were.  Tyler's funny but serious line was "where are all the white people"...."I need some white people".  Something like that.

There's plenty to do at/from Singapore Airport: replenish on diapers, massage chairs,
stroll a baby, food, movies, city tours.....etc.

The home stretch to Manila was only a few hours.  We were all exhausted.  So ready to find a bed with comfy pillow and some Z-time.  It was the perfect entrance home despite that it was already dark.....just like the visit the year before. All because the MABUHAY sign was all lit up.  That always makes the perfect landing for this pinay.  Makes the heart thump with yummerlicious joy to be welcomed home.  Rainy season had already begun so the HAWT humidity was high.  " home Home HOME" was all these fingers could muster as the facebook post while we waited through the customs lines.  AT LAST is all the rest of the body could say in sinc with the pitter pattering heart.  Yes, indeedy.....at last.  Tori's first words to me in quiet afflicted breath, "I can't breath".  To this day we still josh with her and have a good laugh over it.  

Our Welcomers once outside the airport: Rolli, mommy Luz, Rynen, Ron and Joyce.  We all packed like sardines with our luggage and took the first curious ride to our temporary abode through the city, to Cainta and into Brookside.  Orlando was sleepy feverish but fortunately, nursing in the car is a big help.  Ron and Joyce treated us to some Yellow Cab pizza.  Sleepy as we were we chowed down and swilled.  The following morning Ron and Joyce came back with milk, American cereals, fruit and a few other breakfast items....oh, and STARBUCKS.  Looking back they most definitely went above and beyond to help make us feel at home from that first night through the rest of the year.  We did several outings in which we were more familiarized with places to shop for needs and wants.  They were awesome with the first Christmas too bringing a tree with decorations...and STARBUCKS again.  They are quite the treasure.  May alzhiemers NEVER remove the many memories of their generosity they carried out in so many ways.  God's angels come in different disguises.  

After the first night's rest American cereals, mango, papaya and starbucks help officially get the
tropical island living to a rather delectable start.

Last week, on his way home from work and looking for a jeepney, Mike texted of his significant moment:  suddenly he realized he feels like he belongs here.  It usually takes that long for any foreigner to be able to say that to themselves.  The year was well saturated with initiations of sorts: fender benders, traffic violations (both of which foreigners get majorly price gouged by the locals), slow filipino timed processes of sorts...etc.  If you can graciously weather through a myriad  of such adjustment initiations then you've earned the right to call the Philippines your home for sure.  

an eighth of the view that always takes my breath away

the evolved back view of Faith Academy.  The additions are nice and all, but I will always miss the 80's stage.

Tonight we dined at Romeo's overlooking the school and the city.  The girls' hightlight was not surprising.  Camp.  They came home with big  smiles that bounced off the walls with new found spunk.  They'd spent new memories with new friends and they just couldn't stop telling me all about it their first night back home.  Tyler said that the high school retreat is what got him all cuddled into the new school and island life like a bug in a rug having been able to spend quality time with new friends and they entertain themselves outside of the school setting.  But if my memory serves me correctly, he was also able to woo them further into his affections with his [what is now termed] dub step moves at talent night, last night of retreat.  Dylan couldn't pinpoint any specific time when he felt he had finally gelled into his new life chapter.  It was all pretty much a time caressed gradual transition from "I can't stand being away from my AZ friends" to "mom, I don't know how to act with my new friends without being dorky" to "okay.  this works.  it all works."  None-the-less, the kids are a bit more settled in this life chapter as a missionary family.

for some reason there are times it takes more than an arm and a leg cooperation to get Mav into a family photo

Here's to the ongoing work to help young Filipinos apply what they know and love about Jesus to their daily lifestyle choices and/of entertainment.  We pray for more radio frequencies where we can provide tens of millions more young people with family friendly  and  God-honoring Christian music lyrics.  American families have a radio buffet from which to pic.  Filipinos only have the plethora of the neutral to the not so neutral forms of entertainment which desensitizes them from applying Biblical principles to the things they watch and listen to.  To my people.......

a new favorite spot

Found a new favorite spot: atop the steps behind the gym. The tantalizing view that almost paralizes the MK labrynthian mind of memories from years gone by as the eyes gaze with sentiments and wonder at such an amazing site. In the background are the sounds of sneakers squeaking against the polished floor and a basketball bounced around by the Varsity-player-wanna-be huffing and puffing with dripping sweat to improve his skill. It's been a nice first full summer so far in a land so full life. The breeze blows a refreshing cooler temp for a few moments....hm.... What a great life where refreshing moments make the missional discomforts and challenges worth it. Tempting to close the eyes and breath it all in with deeper breaths....but then again, why close 'em?

Lois Salisbury, Jenny Headland Hoffman, Jerry M Isaac and 20 others like this.

Favorite views of my whole life!!!

15 July at 07:45 via mobile · Like

 I used to like to sit on the benches at the top of the field and look out over Manila. Especially at night. Nothing like it.

15 July at 08:00 · Like

 I would climb all the way to roof and sit up there!!  I would also be one of those squeaking shoes inside! I can smell the gymn just thinking about it!  Ah memories!

15 July at 08:08 · Like · 1

 Renae, there's a couple million more lights than there were in the 80's ...it's SO BEAUTIFUL. Steve, I wouldn't mind learning ur hike route to the top. I'm sure the view is even better up there!!

15 July at 08:13 via mobile · Like · 1

 I am sure! I would love to see it again!

15 July at 08:40 · Like

 I would love to connect with you! Let me know when is good. 

15 July at 15:42 via mobile · Like

Jennifer, text me n e time n let's have coffee.... assuming u have prepaid set up already n like/love coffee  09192719339 is my SMART # 
The kids like to go to the pool so we can meet there too!!