Reading

Some of you may know that Ben has struggled with reading. He'd been erroneously diagnosed with dyslexia by an educational psychologist here but when we had him retested in Manila, it did not prove to be an accurate diagnosis. He does have some educational challenges but dyslexia is not one of them!

This year it seems like a light bulb has gone on and he is reading well now! He recently was one of the top three readers for the month of January in his class! His teacher rewarded him and the other two top readers by taking them to McDonald's on Friday after school!

Reader Ben with his Optimus Prime transformer mask on!

Thanks for praying for him and our whole family! We appreciate the prayers! Thanks!

Clothes Drying during a rainy week

While many parts of the US and Canada are dealing with daghan (much) snow and cold weather.....

we too, recently had a week or so of unusually 'cool' weather. By Michigan standards it would be spring weather....but for us expats and Filipinos used to the high 80's - 90's, the recent week of rainy, 70ish weather was 'cold'!


We needed to hang laundry up in the house with fans blowing
on it to get our clothing dried!

The plants on our veranda flourished during the rain and coolness!


Aren't the flowers here beautiful? God is SO creative!!!

Today, as I blog, the sun has come out and it is about 81 degrees!


James enjoyed watching extra Barney episodes on DVD during
the rainier weather!

Different Perspective

I love handing the camera to Kirsten and seeing what photos we end up with. She comes up with many unique perspectives on our home and life around here. I could put in a plethora of photos from her, but I wanted to share just this one.

For some reason, this photo reminds me of a quote from Brennan Manning:
"If we maintain the open-mindedness of children, we challenge fixed ideas and established structures, including our own. We listen to people in other denominations and religions. We don't find demons in those with whom we disagree. We don't cozy up to people who mouth our jargon. If we are open, we rarely
resort to either-or: either creation or evolution, liberty or law, sacred or secular, Beethoven or Madonna. We focus on both-and, fully aware that God's truth cannot be imprisoned in a small definition. "

Brotherly Love

Like all brothers, there are times James and Ben get along well and other times the verse "a brother is born for adversity" fits the bill!


Psalm 133:1 1Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times,and a brother is born for adversity.

Bath Time Fun

James and Jerard received some bath toys for Christmas. They really enjoy playing with them during their shower time!