Jet Lag

Ok, I'm over it, but Papa/Dan isn't quite there. Me thinks it's the extra days of melatonin me took.

We are still enjoying our memories of our Manila trip. Dan/Papa leaves a week from this Monday for VA Bch. He'll be gone 2 weeks. UGH. I have a trip to TN planned mid-Aug. Got a great deal on a small airline called Allegiantair. They go to smaller airports. So I fly out of St Pete/Clwr and into Knoxville.

Today we went 3 hours north to help Mom and Dad Ebert get down here. Dad's shoulder was bothering him. They look great and Dad seemed better after resting some. They'll be here July/Aug.

J&L found a place and can move in Friday! We are so excited for them as it's a great place in a great neighborhood. A car is next. But we are seeing God provide for them and trusting Him is what it's all about.

Heidi & Troy left for TN. GG & Popi are excited!

Mary Jane & Israel are wanting/needing to find their own place. Keep them in your prayers.

well, I'm tired.. it's been a long day... missing my sweeties in other parts of the world... smoochies to you all.

Saturday Morning in Clearwater - Home Sweet Home

Hello Everyone,
We made it back home Thursday night as scheduled. Friday was a blurr, but believe I had Vicki Jane over for lunch and then we joined Leighann's family for a birthday celebration at Olive Garden. Leighann is 23 today! Getting pictures of our last few day in Antipolo will take some time as they are on Dan's laptop, but they were great days and we have wonderful memories.

Found out that if you take melatonin (1 a day) starting 3 days before you fly, it helps cut down the jet lag.... seems to have worked. I slept till 4am yesterday and then 6am today. :)

Laundry

Today, Tuesday, started out still. Not a leaf moving. The air was heavy with rain just waiting to fall. I washed a load last night and hung it up in the CR (comfort room for some of you). The towels didn't dry fast enough (actually, they didn't completely dry) so our showers this morning ended with a bit of musty drying off. The load I washed this morning was hung out for an hour or so, but I just got them inside (shower rod comes in handy) when it started to rain. :) We hope it will cool things down a bit. I am grateful the washing machine still works and spins well. I haven't tried the dryer cuz the wall outlet is under repair and not sure if the gas tank is hooked up or not. We are managing without it.

It's Tuesday!

Good morning. I survived Divisoria yesterday. Another missionary ended up coming along and also provided a ride to and from the new metro transit/train. You older kids may remember her, Jen Chrystemen. Wow, the train is a great way to get around the city. Divisoria wasn't "too" bad; not too many people, not too much muck on the streets, and not too much of the foul smells. First thing I bought was a back-pack. That came in handy for the heavy stuff and my arms free to carry 4-5 other bags. HA! Sorry, no pictures of that trip into town as it would have been dangerous to take it. I even removed my wedding band and watch for the day. My money was either deep in a front pocket or in a cloth bag that was safety pinned inside the waist band of my jeans.

Saw Marcelena at Faith Academy. She's working in the HS office. She looked great and has two kids. Her son is 11 and her baby girl is 1.

Went to see Malou Abella last night. We took pizza and sodas. She shared with us more details of Nilo's illness and death. We cried together and ended with prayer. Our hearts break for her. She has shared that through this tragedy, she has grown closer to the Lord. Her mother, Nanay DeGuzman, is still going strong. She, too, is a precious soul. She seemed quiet last night. I believe she is hurting for her daughter right now. Pray for them.

Saturday

Our rented van came for us at 8am. We left shortly after and made good time. It only took us 1hr 30 min to get the whole 20 or so miles! :) The dedication service for Sophia was an hour. About 30 people were there, if you count all the kids. It was almost like a church service. They had all the grandparents and parents give a short "blessing" as it were. I cried through mine, of course. DOH Afterwards we loaded up and took off for another part of the city to a Chinese restaurant. Good food of pancit (some of the noodles were crispy.. .they must have fried them) beef with vegies, vegies with liver (I think) and fried chicken and of course, rice. Oh, we also had egg-drop soup to start with. It had corn in it. :) All of the food was very tasty.

Mary Jane ordered a birthday cake for us as Sunday is Sophia's birthday. It was fun to see the kids sampling it before hand. It was a tearful goodbye, but a day of wonderful memories.

Saturday Morning Musings

Well, it's Saturday morning. We are heading off into the city to Mary Jane's church for Sophia's dedication service which is followed by a meal at a Chinese restaurant in Quezon City. I think I mentioned that. Papa and I were concerned about the van we were assigned for the day as the AC doesn't work. So we have hired a driver and van for the day. Pastor Rene' and Che Che are also going with us.

Friday was a day to visit around on Hilltop. Mary Jane's family left around 4:30pm. I have returned to meals with Papa at Bill & Darla's. Mary Jane literally has 3 babies. Just watching her try to get them cleaned up and dressed and then keep them cleaned and dress makes me tired. She's a wonderful mommy.

Friday night I invited all the kids from Hilltop to come up and do the foam craft of door hangers. The little kids of yesteryears are half way grown up and delightful. They sang an action song for me as a thankyou. It was a great night with them. I'll always remember this one.

Gourmet food?

I guess in some circles last night's meal at the dining hall would be considered gourmet food. The cook is good at what he does! I am joining Mary Jane and family at the dining hall while they are here. Yesterday for lunch, we had pork menuedo. Very delicious. Of course, rice goes without saying. Then last night we had battered and fried squid. I LOVED IT. (I like my squid crispy as opposed to leathery.) There was a noodle soup/type dish on the side. No vegetables for that meal. Guess the menuedo had the vegetables for the day. The meals are simple, but creative and tasty. Papa has continued eating with the Bill Eberts (using a Criderism here!) as fish is often a part of the meals at the dining hall.

Busy!

I don't have time to post new pictures, maybe later. Yesterday was a full day of just being with Mary Jane and kids. We went to a new supermarket in Antipolo. Whew. If I don't mention the heat often enough, you may not understand the effect it has on us. Exhausting. Just sitting - not moving- I have sweat dripping off my face. Tomorrow, we are go to Mary Jane's home/church for Sophia's dedication and the lunch at a Chinese restaurant in QC. The van's AC isn't working and so we are anticipating the worse. Pray for us. Each day is now getting booked solid with seeing friends and churches.

Papa's lectures, along with Dr. Jack's, are going well. Everyone asking if and when we can come back and stay. That's hard because the need is great here.

For those who know this place, I am planning to meet up with Carol K. and go to Divisoria on Monday. :) Pray for survival! ;) What I won't do to get a deal ... and gifts for my kids and grandkids!

I would like to get to Greenhills for pearls, but we'll see.

Yo, James

Would you please make sure Dan & Jen get to see my blog when they are over?

Tuesday on the Hill

They have arrived!
Mary Jane, Israel and kids arrived last night. We had to scrounge around for food but eventually they were fed. We decided not to set up a kitchen here at our old place and just order food from the dining hall at the school. That should work fine now.

Phones not working.... since Oct last year. Seems someone has stolen the fiber-optic cable near by. UGH. That was part of our problem with getting hold of MJ and her with us.

Papa and I went up to see the sunrise off the balcony yesterday and we also saw the moon. I blew a zillion smoochies up to it, so be sure the grandbabies all get their smoochies from Grammy! I miss you all.

Cedar, the middle child of MJ and Israel, is a bit active! ;) Bouncing off the walls better describes it. Jared is a lover of books. Sophia is scared of us... we'll see if we can do better today with her. Saturday is Sophia's dedication at their church and we will also celebrate her birthday which is Sunday.

oops

Ok, when posting, one should put them in last to first. So when viewing the pictures start at the bottom and work your way up! ;) I'm learning!

Manila

Hey ya'all. It's 4:30am Manila time and we've been up an hour or so. But, we did go to bed quite early, so it isn't as bad as you would first think.

I don't think I've mentioned the heat yet. It is a large factor in our day. Yesterday, while at the chapel meeting, they asked all in the back to move forward to make room for others. I moved up with our guest Paul Campbell and in moving we were farther from the fans. After just one song, I was getting faint and we made a bee-line back to our other seats. We have also made a point to carry water with us at all times. They are telling us 3 weeks ago, the heat was unbearable. We are thankful the rains have begun and have helped bring the temps down some.

I have pictures from our trip and the gathering on Hilltop yesterday. The one set is of the CR in the Japan airport. Some of you will get a kick out of them.

I spoke to the Pastors wives yesterday so there are some shots of us ladies. It's been such a fun trip so far. Lots of friends to visit with yesterday. The little kids are now grown up and the next generation is starting. I tear up when I see the faithfulness of these dear people coming regularly to meet with the community of faith under such difficult circumstances. It is humbling.

Mary Jane and family should be arriving today. We are making arrangements to have food from the dining hall brought up to us. The old house has been vacant too long to try to start doing food prep. I am going to try and wipe some walls down today and get rid of the mold.

I'm leavin' on a Jet Plane

Well, in a few more hours Papa & I will be up in the air. We'll be stuck in Detroit for about 5 hours. UGH. As you can see in the picture to the right, I've packed some fun! Stay in touch through email. I would suggest that you email us both in case we have a hard time getting on line and can only ck one.

Oh, and check out the family photo of J&L with Gabe!!! They'll be watching over our place while we are gone.