Family

When you live so far from your family-by-blood, you quickly learn that being family is not only about bloodlines.  Family are those who love you just the way you are, people you are comfortable being yourself around, people who you know "get you" and have your back, no matter what comes up.  Even though our biological family is far away, God has blessed us with people who have become family to us.  Some of these are just as far away geographically, but they make many sacrifices to stay in touch faithfully and have proven time and again that they have our backs.  Others who have become family to us live closer, and we praise God whenever He allows our paths to cross.  God blessed us richly this past month when He allowed TWO of our family to come for a visit.  Joseph may not look much like the rest of our family, but he has definitely become a part of it; and we had a great time sharing our home and ministry with him for a week.  He was such an encouragement to us, we thank God for him, and we can't wait to see how God continues to use him in the future.

 

My dad also came for a visit!  Although he partners closely with us in our work and makes frequent trips to the Philippines (7 trips this year I think!), we actually don't get to see him every time he comes.  Both he and we keep really busy with our responsibilities, and it just doesn't work out schedule or budget-wise to see each other on every visit.  But on this past trip, he was able to fly down to our place from Manila for 1 day to celebrate his birthday with us.

We are SO thankful for the family that God has blessed us with, and we cherish every opportunity He gives to be together.