Brown outs due to El Nino

Mindanao is experiencing a drought. Farm lands are dry and cracking.
The soccer field grass at school is brown. Water levels in the lakes are low.
This is causing the power company to reduce generation capacity of the hydro electric plants in Lake Lanao in Lanao del Sur and Pulangi River in Bukidnon as advised by the National Grid Corporation of the Phils. (NGCP).
We've been told to expect a two hour power outage daily. It hasn't been occuring every day as the schedule at the power company's website says, but we are experiencing outages about 2 - 5 times a week.

So, pray for rain. It's been a long time since there has been any significant rain fall here.

Retreat!!!

For the next 30 hours or so I will be gone. I'm going on a Womens retreat that the Member Care Coordinator has organized. There are about 40 women attending.
I am looking forward to this time very much. We've had a lot of issues going on in our family recently and I'm thankful for this time to pray uninterrupted, fellowship with other women, and recharge.

Psalm 73
21 When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,

22 I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.

23 Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.

24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 27 Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. 28 But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

Soccer, Band, Game Night, Movie

Mikayla and Kirsten had a busy day today.

After school they played a soccer game.


Mikayla (#15) and Kirsten (#11) playing. Their uniform
numbers match their ages!


Kirsten


Kirsten in action.


Mikayla


Mikayla

The soccer game ended with Faith losing 4 - 1. We hurried home for Mikayla and Kirsten to shower up, eat a quick dinner......and
then there was a band concert.
Kirsten played percussion to help out the 5th grade beginner band.


Kirsten playing snare drum.

Mikayla played clarinet in the High School Praise Ensemble.


The Ensemble Mikayla played in.


Mikayla and her friend Jeen. These two have played clarinet
together since 6th grade!

The concert was really good.
We thank God for the opportunities our children are receiving at Faith Academy.

We thank God for the band director. He is enthusiastic, talented, and a great band director for the kids!


Band Director, Nate Becker!

After the concert Kirsten attended the Middle School Game night and Mikayla went to a movie with some of her friends!

Some days are like that....busier than normal....but fun!

Abandonment Papers

James and Jerard were visited yesterday by the social worker in charge of their foster care and adoption case.
She explained to us that because the father's name is not on the birth certificate of James and Jerard, they will need to be declared legally abandoned which will open the door for us to file the adoption paper work.
The social worker also has to obtain a copy of the mother's death certificate for us to have in the adoption process.
The process for the declaration of abandonment will probably take 3 - 6 months or so.
In the meantime we will continue to be their foster family!

Pray for all of us and for this legal process. Thanks.

Jerard's Standing Table


When I was getting ready to take this photo Jerard was
looking away. I asked him to look at me and he turned his
head toward the sound of my voice! That is cause for major
excitement!

Psalm 20:7Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
8They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.


Jerard's chariot!

I hired a local carpenter that had been recommended to us to build a standing table for Jerard. I showed him a picture of a standing table from the "Disabled Village Children" book and he made this for Jerard. He delivered it yesterday evening.