Save the Date

Dust off your passports and pack your bags!!  We are getting married and want to share our special day with you.  We have set a date and picked the perfect beach.  We can't wait to see you for a weekend of celebration in Cebu.

Twas a Few Weeks before Christmas

Twas a few weeks before Christmas and all through the malls
Gepher and Andrea were stirring up and down the halls

The merchandise was placed on the displays with care
In hopes that great sale shoppers soon would be there

Gepher and I were searching for flip flops in red
While visions of children’s excitement danced in our heads
Children’s shirts were thrown on the tables without care
Our hopes of finding the perfect gift would surely be there

   

And I with the generous donation and Gepher with the list
Begin choosing kid’s gifts with our hearts filled with bliss
Pink flip flops for the girls and red ones for the boys
Along with a new shirt and book that is sure to bring lots of joy

Sunday morning we wrapped the gifts up quick
Because after church the children would visited by “St. Nick”
More rapid than eagles to Bible class they came
I greeted each one and called them by name

Welcome Mary Joy, James, and Marvin
I’m so glad you are here today Joven
Everyone take a seat as today is a special day
We are going to celebrate Jesus’ Birthday

 

The children sat quietly as we read Luke 2,
The story of a Royal birth where a manger would do
“The Crippled Lamb” was the movie loved by all
The children’s handmade nativity scenes hung on the wall

No party would be complete without fun games
The children enjoyed “Jesus Bingo” with prizes of candy canes
As Bible class drew to an end,
The real fun and surprises were about to begin

The children moved to the auditorium full of glee
Their smiles, giggles, and laughter made everyone happy
“Santa” and the gifts magically appeared
As the “elves” begin to help and cheer

   

Each child’s name was called by “Santa” from his list
Santa’s “elves” made sure no one was missed
The smiles on their faces and laughter in the air
Are sights we’ll never forget and memories we’ll always share

The Christmas season is a time to celebrate and show God’s love
And blessings in abundance as all gifts come from above
For those He has called , who are called in His name
His promise of eternity is still the same

So join in the chorus and share with those who don’t know Him
Oh Come All Ye Faithful, Come Worship and Adore Him.

A Day in Paradise

The definition of Paradise is a state or place of extreme beauty, delight or happiness.  Plantation Bay is our little slice of Paradise.

   

Gepher and I spent a lot of time during my last trip teaching Bible classes, planning youth events, and Christmas celebrations for the kids and members of Naga.  On top of our ministry responsibilities we stayed busy with work, family time, and wedding plans.  This made for a very busy trip and one that did not leave much alone time for just the two of us.

   

We are strong believers in the importance of a date.  Its a chance for us to refuel our relationship and focus on what's important, our love for one another.  Plantation Bay was the perfect setting for the perfect date.

Gepher was the tour guide for the day.  He made sure we experienced every activity the resort had to offer.  We started our day playing in the salt water lagoon zipping down the twists and turns of the water slide.  Our afternoon wouldn't be complete without a little snorkeling and diving from the rock.  Gepher is definitely part fish.  He loves swimming with the fishes and pretending he is one. 

   

We capped our day off with a little kayaking.  The two of us are definitely not ready to enter any kayaking races.  Let's just say you can't get anywhere fast when you go in a circle.  In true gentleman fashion, Gepher took over the rowing and I enjoyed the ride up and down the salt water lagoon.

The day was absolutely perfect.  We enjoyed a slice of paradise as we reconnected and focused on one another.  We cannot wait to enjoy more slices of paradise as our future together unfolds.

The First Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is America's preeminent day. It is celebrated every year on the fourth Thursday in the month of November.  For our family it’s a day to come together as a family with close friends and reflect on the bountiful blessings God has given us throughout the year.  This year our table looked like the First Thanksgiving feast.  We gathered around the table with close American friends in Cebu along with some special Filipinos.  Just as the Pilgrims celebrated with and were thankful for the Native Americans, we feel the same about our Filipino family here in Cebu.  This year I was excited to share this tradition with Gepher as we celebrated "The First Thanksgiving" together in Cebu.

   

Mom and I spent the day cooking together.  Cooking here is more of an adventure than when we cook together at home (as you never know if you can find all the ingredients or not); however, the outcome was just as good.  The kitchen was filled with the smells of home and the holidays.  Even being on the other side of the world it felt and smelled like Thanksgiving.  We had all the southern Thanksgiving staples on the table and even had a new addition...RICE!  Mom and I wanted to make sure there was at least one familiar item on the table for Gepher.  Gepher was very adventurous and tried every dish as it was passed around the table.  He actually got so full off of the Thanksgiving staples that he didn't even eat the rice!  (I believe this was the first time I'd ever seen him not eat rice at a meal.)  We had a wonderful night chatting with another American/Filipina couple, playing Thanksgiving trivia, and listening to the sounds of Bluegrass music. 

Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude to God, who's guidance and care go before us and who's love is with us forever.  Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the changes, to remember we, too, grow and change from one season of life to another.

This year Gepher and I have a lot to reflect on and be thankful for.  Of course we are thankful for one another but we are most thankful for the gift of prayer.  Without prayer we would not be together.  Without prayer we would not know God's plan for our lives.  And without prayer we would not have a relationship with our heavenly father.

Thank you God for the ways you have blessed our lives more than we ever asked or imagined.