Ride the Skate

One of our kids' favorite things to do when visitors come is to take them for a ride on the skate. So I thought I would take you on a virtual skate ride. :)

When you arrive at the skate stop in town, this is what you will see. A skate is a small bamboo platform with simple benches on it that sits on the railroad tracks.

Then it has a little motor that allows it to putter along the railroad tracks. Don't worry, there aren't that many actual trains on these tracks. (Notice I didn't say NO trains, just not many :) )
All loaded up and ready to go. Don't you just love all the safety devices in place? Seatbelts, handrails, firmly anchored benches, brakes...o, wait, it doesn't have any of those. And while the skates do run at night, we prefer the day-time adventure since the only "headlights" these skates have is the cellphone flashlights that the passengers may have with them.

Off and running

Now, when you come up to a skate going the opposite direction on the tracks, the skate with the most people gets to stay. The one with the least number of people has to get off...

...move their skate off to the side of the tracks...

...watch the other skate pass by (and, if you are traveling with our kids, it is likely that you will have to hold one of them during this exchange since they always seem to forget their SHOES - notice Ben being held in the background)...

...then put your skate back on the tracks...

...so that you can be on your way again.

You will see many beautiful sites along the way

Rice fields

Local grocery store

Lots of greenery and open spaces

And then, since your skate is not very loaded, you will catch up with another heavily-loaded skate. You see, you are are only doing this trip for fun; these people are taking the skate back and forth to work or school. The skates are one of the many unique forms of public transportation in our area.

You will also cross a couple bridges. This is where those afore-mentioned safety features come in so handy.

Don't look down!

Now wasn't that more fun than a boring taxi ride?

Passport to Purity

This past week, we took a couple days out of our normal routine and got away as a family for some important time. Mikayla and I worked together on the intensive course "Passport to Purity". We tackled some tough issues and had some great heart-to-hearts. We are so proud of the young lady that Mikayla is becoming and the way that she seeks to put God first in everything. While the boys aren't quite ready for this intensive, they had some good talks with their daddy about integrity and being a man of God.

When we got back, we got all dressed up in fancy clothes, and Steve and I took Mikayla out to eat at the fanciest restaurant in Bicol.

We had a wonderful time re-visiting the things that we had talked about during the week, and we gave her a purity ring that we bought to help her remember the stands she has taken. It was a wonderful week, and we can't wait to see what God will do in and through Mikayla in the years to come.

While we spent a lot of time with the intensive course, we did get some much-needed family down time on the beach too and LOVED it. We all worked together on this sand castle with island in front and moat around it.

And I leave you with this weird sight we saw recently on the side of the road. Just in case it will make you smile like it did us. :)

Visitors!

[sorry about the gaps later in the post - blogger was not playing nice today :( ]

This past week we had the pleasure of hosting some wonderful young women and young man who serve with our company in other areas of the Philippines. We were blessed by great discussions about strategy, encouraging times of fellowship, and some wonderful prayer and worship time. The kids had a blast too; they don't get to hang out with Godly men and women of that generation so it is always great for them to spend quality time with good role models.

(many pics shared by Naomi - tnx!)

Flippin' out at Lago del Rey Mikayla teaching yet another rookie to kneeboard :) Naomi did great - must have been because of her amazing teacher :) The kids had fun taking them on the "skate" down the railroad track. We headed around the mountain and across the lake for a visit to the village - and a detour to the waterfall.

Steve visiting with one of the key church leaders

They don't have much to share with us, but they always open up some coconuts for us to enjoy.

Naomi got some great pics of the kids and the village.

Hiked to a beautiful waterfall

"Jump right there"

Then we hiked up the mountain to the village up top.

We passed several pigs on the way. They were leaving smelly evidence of their displeasure along the trail. Watch your step!

All that hiking made for some tired, dirty feet by the end of the day!

These little floating huts are so intriguing.

Another day we hiked to a different waterfall. Lots of great memories!

And this last one is free - just amazes us how much they can load on a little "trike" - motor scooter with a side car.

We were so blessed by our visitors this week - thanks for coming, guys!