Cagayan de Oro

Monday morning, I did laundry, and we got some  things up around the house, and then spent the rest of the day purchasing things at different stores, with the first stop at the Mall...which we just looked around at.

The Gate Entrance to their village

Toto and Inday's home...so comfortable!!

The Mall--so badly wanted to climb that tree!!!

Toto's cousin-Ja has been watching over the house for him, and adding him to our party was a lot of fun.

Inside the mall

 For lunch, we went to Toto's 'favorite' restaurant...a really nice one too..

 They even had a piano which somehow they convinced me to play on... The humidity kills pianos here, but because of the A/C, it was somewhat salvaged, and had pretty good tone... Talk about my being nervous playing in a restaurant!! Most of the songs I know aren't exactly 'restaurant worthy' songs....mostly hymns or Christian songs, which in America..is a no-no.. They turned the music off too, and every time I went to get off, I was told to keep playing... Yi.. I think I did passable. ;)

 There was a lot to crowd in the back...table, chairs, flooring, etc...but the boys all had smiles!!

Here is a glimpse of what the house looked like with all our junk in it during/before we put flooring down..

The bedroom, (after we moved all the stuff in the Left corner into it)

Looking from the living room, through the hallway/dining area to the kitchen/bathroom area.

The kitchen (where Sylvette was making dinner)

 Putting flooring down. (Unlike in the US, this flooring is 'temporary style'..it just sits on top of the concrete..that is the way they do it here.)

 Sleeping area...Toto and Inday got the bedroom, the boys slept on the floor and I slept in my hammock.

 After I left, Tuesday morning, they painted the walls cream.

Monday night, we stayed up playing a card game and having so much fun....it was such a blast and so memorable!!!

Travel to Cagayan

 Sunday morning came early, and we left around 5am. The plan was to drive to Cagayan, and there we would help settle Jim and Sylvette into their new home before I left Tuesday for Butuan to work with Kuya Bong, and the boys left Wednesday to return to Marbel after their 'vacation'.

With the limited space, we all took turns sitting in the back (and driving)

About 1 hour out, we got a flat tire..which just happened to be the back right...and since I was sitting on the back right (middle)..guess who got blamed for it?? lol Okay...well, most of the heavy boxes were there too...but it wasn't anybody's fault.. ;p

Samuel...this is JUST for you!!!!

Mid morning, we stopped for Durian. I had it last year, and it was 'okay'...but when I had it this time, it tasted a lot better.... Do you like our gloves?? To ward off the mess (or the smell ;p)!

Love Birds

Hate having braces!! You're always worried about your smile.. ;)

When we reached Bukidnon--mid-afternoon (after lunch, which we had by the side of the road), we stopped at their statues....kinda fun!!

My kuyas and I... 

Adorable love birds

 Almost to Cagayan...

The trio...trying to stay out of trouble while the lovebirds are in purchasing dinner goods...

We arrived in Cagayan around 5pm (just as I calculated), but with stops, didn't get to the house until around 6pm. Dinner, situating sleeping pads, and a good night's sleep.

Balik sa Marbel

I met Jim and Sylvette in GenSan early Saturday morning, and then we visited his family and ran errands together before going to the Serisola home. The afternoon was full of preparing for Sunday's buahe (travels) to Cagayan de Oro--about an 8+ hours drive... Preparing food and getting the Jeepy (Jim's vehicle) ready, with a makeshift rainflap.

Saturday night, we had been invited by some friends to a restaurant owned by a near relative.. I guess both parties had kept postponing it due to schedule conflicts... Finally, it happened tonight--with all of us, including Toto and Inday (Jim and Sylvette) present...though Bordz was at the farm still..

It was neat, because the couple helped influence the kids since they were really little, and so they are very special to them... We had some great and memorable conversations, and the food was delicious.

Afterwards, we went downtown to the Capitola, which was completely decorated in Christmas, and walked around...beautiful!!

Tatay with one of the sheep in the life size Nativity Scene

Inside the Capitola, which is open to the public even in the evening

That was pretty fun to get to be inside the Capitola building!!

Thanksgiving in Davao

Originally I was going to only have a few days wrapping up my stuff in Davao, and getting things packed, etc. for Butuan, however I ended up not leaving until Saturday, which gave me the opportunity to not only get in a shift at Mercy--covering for another girl on BCG Clinic, but also to spend Thanksgiving with the Mercy group before heading off to Marbel again to join Jim Harris and Sylvette on their road trip up to Cagayan de Oro to help them settle in to their new home..

Boys wrestling and girls watching...just like in the US. ;) (these are 4 different families)

It was so much fun having real American food..probably one of the best, if not the best Thanksgiving meal I've ever had!!! Maybe partly too, because they had chicken instead of turkey...which I do a lot better on...

Dieneke in her Indian clothes (where her family is missionaries)

Rebecca's boys are so sweet!!

Jamie, Jane and I

 The dessert table.....one of the girls made all the doughnuts, and I have to say that besides Doughnut Holes, they beat all!!

 Our makeshift tables...the prenatal beds. ;)

It was a beautiful and memorable Thanksgiving dinner... I have SO much to be thankful for!!

1) My relationship with Jesus Christ, who without, I am nothing.

2) My amazing parents, who have supported me in all my endeavors, at home and abroad, and trained me up from a young age in the fear and admonition of the Lord.

3) My precious 8 siblings who have taken over the ranch and housework in the past 3 years so well, and who have lovingly encouraged, prayed for, and written me letters, and patiently endured all the time away from them which has been necessary in the last 2 years..and for so graciously accepting me as I am--growing in the Lord, even with all my many faults.

4) My grandparents..especially Oma, who is the self-initiated 'President of my Fan Club'..I love you so very much Oma!! Thank you for being a listening ear, and praying for me every step of the way and of my life, and being one of my role models!

5) My 2nd and 3rd families..the Gauls and Serisolas... I love you all so much!! God has so richly blessed me through you all..

6) My precious circle of friends...especially Selah, Jordan, Alyssa, and Sylvette... I love you girls!! Thank you for your Godly 'peer pressure' ;p, and encouragement to live for the Lord every moment of every day...

7) My church family, who have lifted me up in prayer and encouraged me in my endeavors these past few years.

8) All those here in the Philippines--Subait, Butuan, Marbel, Davao.....each one of you have had an impact to my life...some have been challenging, others have been just a sincere blessing....

9) The opportunity to live here in the Philippines for 9 months (total), and serve the Filipino people in such a variety of ways...

10) To see how God has provided each step of the way, and knowing and seeing that as I call on Him, He is faithful to answer me, lead me, and direct me in His paths.

There are SO many other things I am grateful for....the list is unending.. I am overwhelmed by the love I have felt by so many people, both here and at home, and for the support they have shown me in the last 2 years, during all my adventures, trials, etc.

God is faithful!!!

Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His Holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases;

Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

The LORD executeth righteousness and judgement for all that are oppressed. He made known His ways unto Moses, His acts unto the children of Israel. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will He keep His anger for ever.

He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him.

As far as the East is from the West, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us. ... But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children's children; to such as keep His covenant, and to those that remember His commandments to do them.

Bless the LORD, ye His angels, that excel in strength, that do His commandments, hearkening unto the voice of His Word. Bless ye the LORD, all ye His hosts; ye ministers of His, that do His pleasure. Bless the LORD, all His works in all places of His dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

~ Psalms 103:1-12, 17-18, 20-22 ~