1st Season

Here at the boys' school, the year is divided up into 3 "seasons" of sports and other activities. The 1st season, the kids can choose either soccer or volleyball for extracurricular activity. If anyone knows our family, you know that soccer is the name of the game here.

 Soccer in the tropics during monsoon season can be interesting at times. This game was hilarious to watch the ball be kicked powerfully by big guys...and go all of 2 feet. :)

 We have loved having the opportunity for our kids to participate in team sports because of the amazing life lessons that can be learned through them.

 And while they played on different teams (Ben is on JV, Zach on Varsity), it is a good bonding time for the brothers too.

 Zach also had the amazing opportunity to travel with the varsity team to Hong Kong to play in a tournament there for other Christian international schools in SE Asia. Trips like this were a highlight for my high school years in SE Asia, so I am so thankful that he gets to participate in these too.

Towards the end of 1st season is the 1st school banquet. This was Ben's first banquet in high school, and we actually require our boys to invite a girl to go with them to banquet because we think it is a good opportunity for them to learn specific social skills (like asking the dad's permission, asking the girl, how to be a gentleman on a date, how to make awkward conversation around a fancy table...). This banquet was especially fun because the boys asked sisters to go to banquet (the elder is in the same grade as Zach, and the younger is in Ben's grade). 

After we picked the girls up, the groups divided and Ben's group of friends actually came to our house for dinner before the dessert banquet.

 Zach's friends went to someone else's house for dinner.

 We are so thankful for the many opportunities that our kids have at Faith Academy...and we are always looking for teachers and support staff at our school, so please let us know if you (or someone you know) might be interested!

Back to Work

While it has been a BUSY 6 weeks since we've been back (5 trips for Steve, 2 trips for me, a hospital stay, and 3 sets of house guests), we are so thankful for all that God is doing here and the opportunity to be involved in what He is doing. 

One of Steve's trips was down to Bicol to visit with our Bugkalot tribal partners there and help them think through some strategy things they have been facing. He was very encouraged with how they are handling things, and it was confirmed that they need our help less and less. He also helped them dig a rock out of where they are building a new house for where one of our partners just relocated into a new area.

Another of his trips took him to the island of Palawan for a meeting of churches. He was asked to be one of the banner bearers for the "parade". :)

Unfortunately, while he was on that trip, his asthma acted up pretty significantly, and he had to fly back to Manila. I met him in the ER, and he ended up being in the hospital for 2 days. Thankful for good medical care that was able to stabilize him and get him on the road to better lung health. Still have a ways to go (living in Manila with all the pollution and mold has been a challenge for sure), but doing better than he was for sure.

 My "work" trip was a fun one. I got to travel to Malaysia to attend a retreat with like-minded expat ladies. We had a great time in worship, fellowship and training with dear friends who understand this crazy life we lead. 

 Steve's most recent trip took him back to Bicol, but this time to a different area to work with some of our colleagues in helping them evaluate the strategy of their work. 

Steve is gone again this week for leadership meetings in Malaysia. I counted it up, and in the last 20 weeks, 18 of those have included travel by one or both of us. The only 2 weeks that haven't had any travel were graduation week and the week we were packing to come back here after our time in the States. Needless to say, we're a little worn out...but thankful to see all that God is doing.

*****

Next week we would appreciate your prayers as we head north into the Bugkalot tribal area. The recent typhoon (killed 66 and left 62 missing at last count) passed fairly close to their area. That is also where the coffee plantation is located. So far, reports are saying they are ok there, but we appreciate prayers as we head up to check things out and prepare for a team that will be going up there in December.

Adjusting to Our New Normal

After emotional goodbyes and a 2nd horrendous trans-Pacific flight (took more than 50 hrs getting to the States and then more than 50 hrs AGAIN getting back, with 2 lost bags!), we started settling in to our new normal here in the Philippines with Mikayla on the other side of the world. 

The boys started school the day after we got back (actually missed some things with the delayed trip). So weird having only 2 in the obligatory "first day of school" pic. But I guess not that obligatory because Mikayla never sent me one of her first day!

The boys have had a good start, catching up with friends. Thankful for good friends who are good influences on our young men.

 They also went to High School retreat. Both Zach and Ben are in the Machaira House; can you find them in the picture?

Spirit Week is always a fun time in high school. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pics of the boys' costumes this year, but I found this one that a friend posted of Zach with his friends on fantasy/fiction day. :)

 Meanwhile, on the other side of the big pond, Mikayla has been busy settling into her new normal too. Her new home is a little bigger than her past ones...

And yet, it's a little smaller too...

 

 So incredibly thankful for Mikayla's roommate this year. Zathra is a friend from the Faith Academy; she graduated the year before Mikayla did. The girls are good friends who will have each other's backs but also call each other out when they need to.  

 Mikayla's major is Outdoor Leadership Ministry, and she already got her High Ropes Course Certification over Labor Day Weekend, so she's off and running. Her favorite course this semester is The Principles and Practice of Experiential Education, and she is thankful for the confirmation that her choice of majors is exactly what is on her heart to do. 

Some days we are all doing ok with the adjustment, other days the tears are very near the surface (like when I dissolved into a puddle when I got out 5 plates to set the dinner table instead of 4...). While this adjustment has been incredibly difficult (prayers appreciated!), we are so very thankful for where Mikayla is and all that God is doing in and through her. We are excited for this next stage for her...even though we miss her like crazy over here!

20th Anniversary Trip

It has been a momentous year for our family. We both turned 40 (can't be too surprised because: ), our daughter turned 18, son turned 16, AND we celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. Steve and I had a wonderful time getting away to the island of Bohol in the Philippines, where we stayed a beautiful resort. Relaxing by the pool together was our (at least my!) favorite part. 

 We also took a day trip and rented a motor scooter to tour the island. We found this fun little interactive zoo where we could feed the animals.

 We also got to see the famous chocolate hills and tarsiers (I thought they were bigger! Smaller than a man's fist).

Thankful for a blessed time together celebrating 20 years of marriage!

Family Reunion & Vacay

While there are many wonderful things about living in the Philippines, one of the hard things is being so far from grandparents and cousins. So when we get a chance to be together, we make the most of it!

We had a Hagen family reunion at the Lake of the Ozarks, and Gram created a pirate theme for one of the days.

The guys had fun bow fishing off Grandpa's boat creation (2 canoes with a platform in between).

Lots of fun on the lake in various kinds of watercraft!

 And of course doing some fishing! Grilled fish for dinner!

 So much fun with the Hagens!

We weren't able to do a full reunion with the Jackson side, but we did get to go on vacation with Papa and Grandma Jackson down to Branson. It was a wonderful, relaxing time as a family.

This picture was taken at Fritz' Adventure where we climbed all over crazy rope bridges and other creations. 

 We also enjoyed a day at Silver Dollar City. The kids have so many good memories from this place through the years, so it is always fun to go back and visit again. 

 As we were taking this picture, we noticed crazy dark storm clouds coming our way, so we started for the parking lot right after, and it was the CRAZIEST storm we've been in for a long time. The wind was unbelievable, with sticks and pebbles flying through the air as we ALL ran (even Grandma!) for the safety of the car. 

And this pic below is my favorite picture from the summer.

So thankful for this precious time as a family!

Family Fun

This past summer was the last time for all 5 of us to live together, and we made the most of it.

So thankful for some dear friends who let us come out and ride 4 wheelers as a family through their extensive property. What a blast! We saw a coyote, many deer, and Mikayla actually ran over an armadillo hiding in the long grass!

 Cherishing the moments... 

 While we were back, both Mikayla and Zach got their permits. This was actually Mikayla's 3rd permit because she got one in the States at 16 but we weren't there long enough for her to get her license with it (have to have the permit for 6 months), then she got her Philippines as soon as she was old enough here (18 yrs old), then her 2nd USA permit since the 1st one had expired. She only had her permit a week though before she got her license.

 We spent a lot of family time in the car this summer, and Steve and I rarely drove as we were trying to rack up the hours/experience for Mikayla and Zach.

 We also spent as much time as possible just goofing off. :)

It wasn't all goof-off time though; we also worked some as a family. All 3 kids helped Steve with a tree job for a friend. And, yes, the trees was supposed to go in the water - crappie bed!

 And then there was some just hanging out on the couch together time too.

So very thankful for this summer together!