Champs!

This weekend, Mikayla and Zach both competed in the Philippine National Wakeboarding Championships. Mikayla is 10, and Zach turned 8 on the final day of the competition, but they both had to compete in the 10-13 yr old division since there were no younger riders. All the riders they competed against were either 12 or 13, but the kids did great! (Can you tell we are a little proud of them? :) )

Here is a shot of Zach right after his run at the semi-finals in the offiical riding jersey.

Zach got a sweet grab and some big air off the kicker.
Look how hard he is carving (can you tell I have started to learn the wakeboarding lingo? It's like a whole new language....)

Ben didn't ride in the competition, but he did a great job cheering, playing in the sand, and looking cute.

Mikayla got a great grab off the kicker too! It is amazing that she was even able to compete because she got strep throat the week of the competition and wasn't able to practice much at all. Since we were on a 10 day trip just before she got strep, she was coming off a 2 1/2 wk break from riding. We were just thankful she was able to ride at all - we were praying hard! To HIM goes the glory!

Steve and my dad were in the country, but were supposed to be in meetings 24 hrs north of us so they weren't going to be able to make it to the competition. However, they were able to wrap up their meetings early and SURPRISE the kids by taking the overnight bus down to watch the competition. They arrived just a few hours before it all started, and the kids were THRILLED to have both Daddy and Papa there to watch.

Here Zach is showing Papa the gift bag the riders got.

The day of the finals was also Zach's 8th birthday. Here is the bday boy chilling and watching the other riders.

In all the craziness of the week, we didn't end up doing a cake for his bday, but he said it was the best birthday ever cuz he was with his family. We went to his favorite ice cream place to celebrate, and he got to get whatever he wanted - 2 scoops of Rocky Road.

We sang to him and "blew out" his spoon. Which ended up being a trick candle that kept re-lighting...imaginations are wonderful.

Zach got a ripstick, a bunch of books he has been wanting (he has recently turned into quite the little reader!), some legos, a PS2 game, and his own "big kid" Bible and case from his grandparents. The case was even embroidered with his name and a wake-boarder!

Another shot of the birthday boy!

That night at the awards ceremony, we didn't know how the kids would come out. All their competitors stepped it up significantly for the finals, so the competition was fierce. We were so excited when Zach got 3rd in his division even though he was 5-6 yrs younger than the other boys.

And Mikayla got 1st!!!

Here are some pics of their riding to end with...

Zach might look like he is falling off here, but it is actually called a "nose press".

Go, Kayla!

Zach catching big air.

We are so blessed to live near an amazing place like this where the kids have the opportunity to wakeboard and even compete. We are so thankful.

Down Memory Lane

The kids have become great little travelers, and it's a good thing because this trip down memory lane required a lot of travel.

We boarded a plane to Manila then drove 7 hrs north to the small mountain village where my (Jen's) parents worked when I was little. We were thrilled that my parents were able to join us this time!

This was the 1st time in 13 yrs that my mom had been up there, and it was so special to see her reconnecting with old friends.
The reason we went up was to do a "consultation" - a thorough check of the status of the church and community to determine what help they might need to be able to send out some of their own to reach the unreached. My dad outlined the vision for them on the chalkboard - the life-giving water had flowed to them as a tribe, but we want to help them keep the flow going onto other tribes (like the Agta where we work). It also shows the different aspects of both "life" and "livelihood" that need to be in place for them to be an effective sending body.

The first step was drawing a map that shows all the villages in their tribe, which ones have functioning churches, schools, clinics, etc.

Then came the questions -hundreds of them over the course of several days - that delved into their strengths and weaknesses, both spiritual and physical. We were excited to see the strength of the church and their desire to send out workers. There are a lot of details to fall into place; pls be praying with us!

Besides the meetings, we also spent a lot of time just visiting with the people. Precious times.

So what did the kids do while the adults sat through long meetings in an over-heated chapel?

Played at the river with their friends of course!

Zach watching longingly as the boys rock climbed and jumped into the river (he got to try his skills later).

It was so much fun to watch my kids playing at the river where I spent so many happy hours as a kid.

somehow the jump off this rock seemed a lot more dangerous when it was my kids rather than me doing it.! :) (but don't worry, we checked it out carefully 1st!)

the kids singing a special number in church

bet you can't find our 2! :)

The kids also hung out with friends while we were in meetings - here is Ben with my best childhood friend from the village. You can see the remnants on his lips of them spoiling him with orange soda. :)

who needs fancy toys when u have a pile of rocks?

Zach made some great friends - Lu and Jemwel

Mikayla got close with my best friend's 2 girls - Almera and Angelika

catching crabs. cute story - after a day of crab hunting at the river, that night Ben got up (sleep walking) and proceeded to hunt for crabs under his pillow/mattress/etc until he found 2 and tucked them into his hand before he curled up to sleep again. Sweet dreams!

snuggle time with Papa

This baby had the sweetest smile and giggle - the boys had a blast playing peek-a-boo with him

everyone loves a picture!

Ben spent several minutes playing with this little girl's hair. She had no idea he was there. So cute!

This precious little one is named May, and she captured our hearts.

And apparently we captured hers too because when it was time for us to leave, she desperately wanted to go with us! She cried pitifully that she didn't want to be left behind - we could still hear her crying as we drove out of the village. :(

Once we were back in Manila, we enjoyed a juicy burger at Fridays before we said goodbye to Grandma. O and some coloring.

We miss you already!

And here are some random shots around the village...