US Adventures

Well, in case you haven't noticed, I won't be updating the blog quite as often while we are on this side of the world - our adventures in the USA somehow just don't seem as blog-worthy as those we have in the Philippines.  But even though our adventures haven't involved hiking through tribal villages in exotic tropical jungles, we have had some amazing experiences and made some wonderful memories in the last couple weeks.

We have been having a wonderful time reconnecting with old friends...

 ...and these are just a few of them!

The kids got to go wakeboarding in 60 degree weather with Kirby, a professional wakeboarder.  The swimsuits and winter coats made for an odd combo, but they sure had a blast!

 One of the highlights so far has been working cattle at our friends' ranch.

 Zach was using the cattle prod to get them moving through the channel, and Mikayla was slamming down the door of the stanchion at just the right time.

 The kids have been having fun learning to drive a variety of small vehicles.

 We visited a farm and pumpkin patch with some friends.

 Zach doing a cartwheel on the hay bales.  Just because.

 We have had fun at an amusement park with friends & family both...

 ...enjoyed the GORGEOUS foliage...

 ...and even got to ride in an itty bitty plane...

 ...AND a glider!!!
(airplane without an engine that gets towed into the air by another small plane, then disconnected)

 We have been having a wonderful time in the States, even if it has been a bit of a whirlwind so far.

Fun at the Lake

We have been thoroughly enjoying reconnecting with our family here at the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks.

 The kids had so much fun taking out these little sailboats with their cousins.

 Grandpa Hagen has made this cool contraption - a pontoon sailboat made out of 2 canoes.  And of course you need a platform mounted on it so that you can fish with a crossbow.  Needless to say, the kids are having a ball with all these new adventures. :)

 The best part though has been just being with family.

Back in the US of A!

The kids and I (Jen) arrived back in the States almost 3 weeks ago to begin our short stateside assignment; Steve just landed in Chicago a couple hours ago, and we will pick him up at the airport here in Missouri tonight.  Steve stayed behind in order to do some strategic ministry travel, both up north with the Bugkalot sending churches as well as final training and on-site visits with our Bugkalot tribal partners.  Everything has gone very well, and it has been an incredibly profitable time; but we are definitely all ready to be together as a family again!

Even though we have missed Steve, the kids and I have been having a wonderful time re-connecting with family and friends back on this side of the world.  We are staying with my parents, and my sister and her family are currently staying with them too (they are having visa issues in their country in SE Asia so are back for a couple months in the States), so we have a FULL house!

With 6 grandkids under the same roof, my parents' rug seems very appropriate. :) 

Lots of sweet snuggle time with Papa

 Opening presents for Papa's birthday

 Reading books with the littlest cousin in the house 

We also had a very special visitor.  Ben's speech therapist came to visit us to do a required evaluation in order for us to get medical clearance.  Jennifer is an amazing woman, one whom God used mightily in our first term to keep us on the field.  We were at the point that we were going to have to return to the US to address Ben's speech disorder, but then Jennifer heard about our situation and volunteered to come and help.  Despite MANY barriers to her coming (4 young kids, husband with bad back, etc), her husband allowed her to come for 3 weeks; and others helped make it possible too - someone from our church in Missouri paid for her ticket, and her church in Alabama rallied around her family to make it possible for her to come.  She diagnosed Ben in our home, developed a speech therapy program AND trained me how to implement it.  I then sent her monthly reports for the next year, and she offered guidance and direction from afar.  God used her in a mighty way to keep us on the field at a critical juncture, and now He has used her once again; she flew up to Missouri to help us out once again.  And gave us wonderful news - Ben is doing GREAT with his speech, and we are cleared to return to the field!  SO VERY THANKFUL for this amazing woman! 

 

We have also been able to do some fun activities together with the cousins.  One day, we went and visited Papa's friend at the fire station, and we got a great tour of the station, trucks, and equipment.  The kids were enthralled and learned so much.

 Love the look on Ben's face in this one!

 A friend invited us to go ice skating with them in a nearby town, and we had a blast there too.

Silly faces! 

 We also got an educational tour of the factory that our friend runs.

And of course we have had a few stops for ice cream. :)

  So very thankful for this opportunity to be with family.  Excited for Steve to get here and join us!

Village Visit

Yesterday we spent the day visiting our Bugkalot partners in the village where they live. Some of the roads getting there are pretty narrow.  I (Jen) actually ended up driving in and out of here a couple times yesterday (long story), and I was so thankful that we didn't meet any oncoming vehicles and  didn't have to back up long stretches (as Steve has had to before).

 You actually drive to the end of the road, park and then cross a long hanging bridge (didn't take a pic this time since I have previously posted pics of that bridge - here for example) to continue walking the rest of the way. 

 This little house is where some of our tribal partners live.

 Warm smiles always greets us when we arrive.

 Mikayla right away got to work with the girls, plucking leaves off malunggay branches to add to our lunch - one of our favorites! 

Ben helped pump some water from the well.

 We spent most of the day just visiting.  Some strategic discussions, and a lot of just laughing together.

(Notice the Bible verses they have taped to their walls - love it.  Also, you see that colorful valance/decorative curtain over their door?  Made entirely out of used candy wrappers - click on the picture, and you should be able to see a bigger copy.  Ingenious.)

 The kids didn't work the whole day - they had lots of time for hanging out and visiting too.

 Our Bugkalot partners' kids have become our kids' best friends here, and they have a lot of fun together.

 Everyone got a kick out of the fact that Zach is now taller than our 77 year old partner.

 And a few group pics of the kids with their friends.  We are sure going to miss them while we are in the States this fall!

So very thankful for these wonderful partners in the ministry!