Sunday, July 18, 2010

Good morning! I'm sitting at a hotel diner to get some internet and connect with you again. Just a few moments ago some helicopter flew over, which has been happening often in the past several days. They look a little intimidating, and it makes me wonder what's going on around us. In fact, we know that there are many battles being fought around us, battles that we often are not aware of. Battles in the invisible world for our hearts and minds. Battles in prayer. May we stand strong in the TRUTH, kept by the Spirit of God!

Garry is trying to catch up in his office and working with Brian and some projects these days. Last week they flew our C180 to Cagayan to show it to a prospective buyer. We are thrilled that he is very interested in our airplane and has made an offer! Pray that the sale goes through quickly so that the helicopter can be shipped from Arizona soon. Garry's main responsibility these days is teaching and training our 6 pilot families. He enjoys passing on the technical experience he has gained over the years as well as encouraging them in faith.

Kevin has been enjoying mountain bike riding, a sport that is much
dirtier than I had known before he started. He loves the thrill of speed and the challenges.

Kaleb has been busy building balsa wood models. He made a new model airplane that flies and a little hover craft that hovers when connected to a 9 v. battery. Kaleb turned 11 while we were in Palawan and next time I'll post some pictures of his special day.

I'm so glad to be home and settling back into life at home! I love cooking our own meals and having our school space to teach. I enjoy having things in cupboards instead of suitcases as they have been over the past weeks. However, I could do without some other things-- the hundreds of mosquitos that have been breeding while we were gone, the gecko that is apparently addicted to processed food and keeps eating through the packages of crackers and candy in the pantry, the freezer that is almost back to its normal smell after being turned off while we were gone, having no internet, and the pile of papers that are still gracing my desk.

Yes, God is at work here in amazing ways. We see it. We know it and experience it. We are thrilled to be a part of it. Yet some days we are reminded that we live in a fallen world far from family and many of our friends.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Good morning from Mindanao! Yes, we're home again! We arrived last Tuesday and have been busy getting settled back in, enjoying our regional conference, touching base with Brian & Bailey, and cleaning out the freezer the went off while we were gone.

Our regional conference was great! We enjoyed getting to know some of the families that we've barely met and also hearing what God is doing in different locations. We were reminded to pray earnestly for God's work. We were encouraged by the fact that the trials we face and "light and momentary" and the reward is always bigger than the cost in God's economy. Kevin jumped in to help with the younger kids. Kaleb enjoyed some new friends. Wow, God!

Garry is back at the hangar this morning and I'm headed downstairs to look through our school stuff so we can get started this morning. Kevin got a bad cold which seems to have traveled to his chest. He's been resting and trying some home remedies, which seem to be working. Kaleb is busily learning about animation.

Yes, it's good to be home. My internet is incredibly slow, so I'll keep this short and won't even try a photo. Hopefully next time...