Symanzik Family Update

Yesterday (Monday), our kids thought they were just going to have a 'normal' day - go to school, homework, etc.....

But as their Daddy drove them to school he took a wrong turn (hee hee hee!!!)

We (Kurt and I) had planned a family 'sneak' and we took the kids on an outing to Eden Nature Park.

Up in the bukid (mountains) it is cool and quite refreshing to go up to.
We hadn't had a family outing in quite a few months and our family really needed a change of pace for a day. To say that the past 5 months or so have been extra challenging is an understatement. But our God is faithful and we are thankful for all the experiences He has designed for us to go through.

Lola Arlene cared for James and Jerard while we took the three older kids on a 2.5 mile nature hike, swimming, and picnic.

We thank God for the opportunity to enjoy His great nature and for the refreshing time for our family that we had. It was a great time of enjoying 'cooler' weather, reconnecting as a family, talking, laughing, enjoying nature, exercise, etc....

We just found out there there is a paperwork snafu regarding a certain SRC form (Special Return Certificate) that we need in order to properly leave the Philippines and subsequently return to the Philippines in early August. Without getting into the details, we need your prayers that this snafu works out successfully. Please pray that we all get the Special Return Certificates that we need before our departure on May 23rd.

Thank you for praying with us.

We enjoy eating Mexican food sometimes- especially buritoes and tacos.....but it is hard to find tortillas here. I used to order them from a person here but he seems to have gone out of business now.

So, now, we are making our own. They are not hard to make, just time consuming.

Kirsten made them the other day for supper and they were great!

Tortillas De Harina
3 cups flour
3 T shortening or lard
1 t. baking powder
3/4 t. salt
1 pinch sugar
1 cup water (room temp.)

Mix flour, shortening, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
Gradually add water until crumbly dough forms.
Work with hands until dough holds together on a floured board, shape into a ball and knead until smooth. Divide dough into 12 roughly equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and let them set for 15 minutes.

After making the dough, divide into balls.

Use a rolling pin to flatten into 8 inch circles.

Cook on ungreased griddle on medium heat.
When it starts to bubble, turn it over.

When entire tortilla starts to inflate, take it off grill.
They are delicious!

I should've taken a picture of us eating them all for supper!

Thanks, Kirsten!!!!

Please pray that this swine flu pandemic does not curtail our flying to the USA in 3 weeks. Our plan is to leave May 23 to fly to the USA. So far no cases of swine flu have been reported in the Philippines. Thanks for your prayers.

I had to do two parts to recent happenings because the computer wasn't downloading the pictures I needed off the camera, but thanks to my computer-savvy husband, now it is! Thanks Kurt!!!!!!!

Baseball for Ben has finished up on Wednesday. He really enjoys sports and fishing.

Ben with some of his team mates

Ben getting trophy

James and Jerard are doing well. James is busy. Jerard is slowly improving.