The new year has begun!  Once again, the LORD gave me much favor throughout my travels.  What initially appeared as a hassle with my bag being overweight (actually our fault for mis-reading the website) in the end was a blessing.  In Manila they only allow 7k for the carry on bag.  We almost packed it with 20 lbs more due to the weight in the very beginning.  However, we didn't and it worked perfectly in the end!  God's hand.


My flights, though each was slightly delayed went smoothly.  Only one was completely full.  In fact, on  one flight the entire row was empty, so I slept very well on that flight!  :D  It rained the whole way and continues to be a little rainy here, but no complaints considering that is keeping things a little cooler.


It's great to be back for sure.  Yet, my heart was sad to leave my dear family and friends.  My heart was also troubled with fears of this upcoming year,  "What if it's too much?  Will I burn out?  What about failure?"  (just the inevitable thoughts after leaving such a different world) So, my heart was turned to pouring out to my dear LORD.  He reminded me of His faithfulness and goodness, that my expectation is in Him (Ps. 62:5-8), and of all His clear working for me to be here.  "being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." -Philippians 1:6 (also 1 Thess. 5:24).  Praise the LORD.  


And, the LORD gave me one more verse to remind me, again, and humble me, also again!  

"There are four things which are little on the earth,

But they are exceedingly wise:

²⁵ 

The ants are a people not strong,

Yet they prepare their food in the summer;

²⁶ 

The rock badgers are a feeble folk,

Yet they make their homes in the crags;

²⁷ 

The locusts have no king,

Yet they all advance in ranks;

²⁸ 

The spider skillfully grasps with its hands,

And it is in kings’ palaces."

-Proverbs 30:24-28

He gives gifts and has a different value and view than we, in our human weakness place on things.  He's my strength, and my joy and my song!  Amen? We are each created for a purpose and we will certainly fulfill it because of Him.

That's the summary for the moment.  The first shift I will work in on Thursday for an outreach (Talikala to the prostitutes).  Lovely.  In the meantime, there is much adjustment back into the Philipines.  The culture, standing out as a "puti" or white person, time difference, food differences....  and yet, it's all familiar.  There was no need to change money, it was relatively easy to speak with the taxi driver, settling in before bed only required unpacking a suitcase, not setting up shop!  (and of course, i'll have to watch some Olympics online!)

On this year shall go with Yaweh Nissi, the LORD is my banner!  And all ya'all for my support with many prayers and great encouragement.  

Blessings to you all!

Hello!

Oh, my.  Time has really flown.  If you've heard or read it once, then you know just how true Eccelesiastes 3 is.  To everything there really is a time.  This is true, even with this month almost over (and it's so hard to believe) everything has had it's place and it's season.  Some planned and some unplanned.

For those of you with whom we crossed paths, it was WONDERFUL. (even phone calls)  For those of you that it didn't work out this time, next year.  :)   All in good time.

This time has been filled with so much conversation of the Lord's work.  He is always at work among His people.  He is jealous for His name and displays His glory in so many ways in both foreign fields and home fronts.  What an inexplicable life that we live to know God and be loved by Him.

To summarize this past year in writing, it's been challenging for sure, yet, these challenges have allowed for new vision and to deepening my Faith.  The LORD clearly is watching over the needs of the fatherless as many of the mothers we see are single, or are having a child with their boyfriend, who is currently present, but the future is unknown.  Working 4 shifts a week is a new physical challenge, but it's doable, especially when we can all encourage one another.  So good.

Anyway, here's a few points of prayer for this upcoming Year, 2012-2013:
- Continued Language Learning (Visayan)
- There is a NEW team coming in!
- For the work at the clinic; especially recognizing postpartum depression
- Continued health through this next year
- Continued capacity to be ready to learn new things
- Always being ready to share Christ in word (even if another language) and deed
- Higher clinical expectations

And, there never was a list of things that I would be refilling on  (sorry), but for future reference (Holiday Season....  :))  if you want some ideas:
- Baby clothes (hats, blankets, mittens, and booties)
- Chocolate (dark is the best! nuts and dried fruits are ok too)
- Letters and Cards
- anything that's just plum fun! :)  (Desi can be a good resource too!)

Blessings to you all!!

Hello!

It is so amazing and weird to be back in the United States.  Reverses Culture shock, as it's been called, is a whole new ball of wax. Wow.  It can certainly blind side one.  None the less, other than a funny incident.

The bathrooms here.  Well, you must understand.  In the Philippines, it is totally normal to have one urinal in the woman's bathroom.  Don't ask why, I don't know.  Anyway, at the airport in Detroit, while waiting for the plane it seemed prudent to avail of a CR (they are called restrooms here) before boarding.  So, i walked passed the men's entrance and walked into the woman's entrance which was much further passed the first entrance.  I glanced at the sign which both said "woman" and showed the supporting picture of a female stick figure.  Yeah, that's what I saw.

Walking into the said restroom, i noticed that infront of me was a urinal, but I honestly couldn't remember if that was normal or not.  So, i slowly walked into the stall while glancing back at the mirror to see who would walk out of a different stall.  The poor man...he affirmed this was indeed the men's room.  Gracious sakes.

One down for culture shock!  haha.  Thankfully, we didn't run into each other again.  :D  Whew.


This is some of what is such a shock:
- Tall people, especially guys
- White people, well, summer tans, but obviously white
- Space between the houses
- Open roads that are well kept up
- we are NOT close to the equator
- everyone speaks English...amazing
- There are trees everywhere, like tall, full leaves, no palm trees
- People, well, they just shout to each other in public!

Yup, that's a little taste of what's hitting the senses.  It's been super relaxing thus far too!  Living in A.C., being cooked for, laughing loads, sleeping pretty much whenever, just soaking up each day.  Ahhh.

Hopefully in a couple days, there will be a little list of some "re-stock" to take back to the Philippines.  For now, as mentioned, i'm just soaking up the each day.  It's sooo lovely.