Catching up...

Hello!

So much has happened.  Sorry it hasn't made it's way on here.  I'm learning, slowly, how to fit all life into the days and what is priority and so on and so forth.  Whew.

The hand...that you all so very much for your many prayers.  It really looks like it is clearing up!  Praise Jesus.  I haven't been around mangoes, yet people still surmize that it might be stress.  That's a hard one because stress comes about in so many forms.  But then, it doesn't seem like anything except for the lack of cutting magoes, has changed.  Hmmm.  Thank you all so much for praying!

This past weekend was a double whammy birthday weekend.  It was a lot of fun.  Pictures from the second birthday are up on facebook.  We went on a zip line.  Actually two. It was lots of fun.  The facility is called "Outland Adventure."  You can check it out at www.outlandadventure.org.  They have an amazing ministry to the surrounding people, especially schools, in Davao City.  We sure enjoyed our time.

Just prior to that, I was able to enjoy some special time with a patient at an outreach.  We were able to take her to get her Ultrasound.  First of all, ultrasounds are just fun to be at, but being able to take her was amazing.  Just superb.  Nothing goes too fast here, so we had lots of time to sit and tsica-tsica (sounds like chica-chica), or chit-chat in a little Vasyan/English.  Then, we were able to take her back the next day to talk with the doctor.  Her "job" is nothing that we would consider table-talk, but as she works with the outreach (we partnered with a local NGO) she is learning to be open.  Although she was a little dissapointed with her estimated due date (she's not sure then, who the father is), we were able to encourage her and just spend time!

Just tonight...well.  Some girls here were eating durian...again.  They coerrsed me into trying it, again.  So, i did.  This time it didn't seem too bad.  Surprisingly.  However, i'm not ready to admit that, so i'm not saying I'd eat again (tho, i probably will).  And, we had it with Coke, which does help to balance out the flavor.  A little bit.  (like i said, i'm not admitting anything.)

This is one of my housemates, Annabelle.  The Durian is a specific type called "Puyat."  It tends to be "sweeter" than most.  If, you can call durians sweet.  HA.

The clinic is busy, as usual.  Today the day shift I was on (from 6 am - 10pm) wasn't too crazy.  We had a couple postpartum patients, that we discharged after their 6 hours of staying after giving birth.  Lots of baby checks, Newborn screening (government mandated), a couple labors that we had to send home because they were too early and an otherwise happy shift.  You can keep on praying for it.  The LORD will bring the increase.  He is painting a beautiful tapestry with it.

The weather has changed to mostly rainy in the evening, sometimes a rain shower during the day. So, it's a little bit cooler.  And, we are soaking it up.  Especially those of us who are missing Autumn!  So, those of you who are enjoying it, soak it up!!

Blessings.  May His peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds.