Thanksgiving Dinner Thanks

Our friends, Janet and Ruth, invited us to dinner at their home recently.


Janet - friend and teacher at Faith


Ruth - friend and teacher at Faith

As I looked through the pictures I became very grateful in my heart for friends who have helped, supported, encouraged, prayed for, listened to and have just 'been there' for us. At this time of year we are missing friends and relatives in the US but we are so grateful for the friends and 'extended family in Christ' we have here. Our world has widened and we are so thankful to God for all his blessings!


Ben, Mikayla, Kirsten, JR, Lani Lou, and Lori Ann have known
each other since shortly after we moved here.


Bebe and Alan - Bebe is our language and culture teacher,
a good friend, a sounding board for cultural questions. Alan
has been a language coach for Kurt and a friend.


Bebe and Alan loving on Jerard.


The meal was delicious!!!


Janet is a great cook!


Playing a Filipino party game.


Ruth has helped us with Jerard since we got him.

Philippians 1: 2-4 Grace to you and peace from God our
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you
all making my prayer with joy,...

Christmas Decorating

Our family put up our tree this past Sunday.
It was a fun afternoon. Most of us are really missing our relatives, friends, and snow at this time of year! Come visit us!!!!


Our tree being decorated.


Our advent wreath.


Kirsten and Ben enjoying putting up ornaments.


Hmm....maybe they want to be presents!!!!


Mikayla trying to fix the lampshade that James had ripped.
I ended up sewing it back on.

Christmas High School Banquet

The High School had their yearly Christmas Banquet at a nice hotel here in Davao.

Mikayla, Lindsey, and Josie before banquet.
Kurt drove the girls to the banquet.


One of Mikayla's classmates


Jim and Cherry - teachers at Faith and the High School Student
Counsel sponsors.

Twas The Concert Before Christmas

Last Friday the Beginner, Middle School, and Advanced Bands played a Christmas concert at Faith Academy.

We are really pleased with the high quality music program Faith offers our kids. Kirsten did an excellent job in the percussion section of the two bands she plays in.


Kirsten playing snare drum. She really does well!

Concerts like this are great for remembering the Christmas season is upon us.
Next week, the elementary choir is performing a Christmas cantata.
Every year, in this warm climate, it often doesn't "feel" like Christmas to me.

But we have decorated our house and are in the process of baking cookies, buying gifts, going to Christmas get-togethers (and hosting a few ourselves.) Christmas carolers have been coming to the door at night to sing. I've been playing Christmas music in our house!...

Praying your holiday preparations include keeping the center-focus on Christ!

Isaiah 9:6For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Intro to Scuba Diving Dive

Kurt and Kirsten went on an "intro dive" to scuba diving today.
Ben and I came to watch.


Dive Shop Sign


Loading up gear to go over to a beach on Samal Island.


Having a pre-dive lesson with Frank, a PADI DiveMaster and
Scuba Dive Instructor (and new friend), while drinking coffee/pop at a great little coffee shop on the beach of Samal Island.


Kirsten getting her gear on. Dominique, a PADI Dive
Instructor-In-Training, was helping her and showing her
how the various apparatuses work.


After suiting up, Kirsten and Frank head into the water.


Practicing using the regulator under water.


Going under the water.


Meanwhile, Ben and I snorkeled in the water. Kurt did too.


Ben and Kurt snorkeling while Kirsten was on her dive.


After about 45 minutes, Kirsten, Frank, and Dominique came
back! Kirsten enjoyed her first dive.


Instructor Frank and Kirsten


Kurt's turn to suit up for his first dive.


Heading out into the water.


Learning about the regulator and hand signals.


Practicing with the regulator before going down.


While Kurt was diving, Ben played in a boat, in the rain!


So did Kirsten! It started raining shortly after Kurt and Frank
went on their dive. But, hey, it's the Philippines, and it's
warm rain, so just keep playing!!!!


Dominque, Frank, Kurt and Ben at the end of Kurt's dive.


Instructor Frank (and our new friend.)

Kirsten and Kurt enjoyed their dives, though Kurt says he won't do it again. Kirsten is considering doing it again.
Mikayla and I think we will try an intro dive soon. Ben is considering the possibility, too.

Come visit us! You can go on an intro dive, too, if you desire!

(Mikayla wasn't with us today at the beach because she wasn't feeling well.)