Thankful!

This past weekend we were able to get together with our team again.  

 It was so good to see everyone again and to hear reports of all that God has done through them while we were gone these past few months.

 We also shared some sweet times of worship and studying the Word together.

 On Saturday afternoon, we had a "pugong", which is kind of like a town meeting.  We had a whole list of things to discuss as a group, everyone had their say, and we came to a consensus on several important decisions.  We were so thankful for unity during this time, and we made some big decisions that will affect our future strategy.

 While the adults were busy with meetings, the kids enjoyed re-connecting with their friends as well.

 The girls spent a lot of time chatting and catching up...

 ...while the boys were more interested in playing games (and rough-housing!) together.

 The girls also jumped right back in to help with the dishes for the group.

 And they once again enjoyed watching a couple movies on the little DVD player that a friend in the States sent to us for the kids to use during the trainings.

 We are so thankful for our tribal partners, and it was so good to connect with them all again!

Cherishing the Moments

It's amazing how being absent from your country and family for four years can help you to cherish each moment you have together.  And that is exactly what we have been doing the last two months; hence, the hiatus from blogging. :)  

(That, and we were absolutely exausted from this past term, so we decided we needed to be intentional and strategic in what we said "yes" and "no" to in order to prioritize time to rest and recover.  Blogging didn't make the cut.)

So here are the last two months' worth of highlights.

Lots of time just hanging out as a family.

 Halloween.

Our artist, cowboy and Legolas (from Lord of the Rings) with Mikayla's close friend.

Family reunion with Steve's family.

(His nephew's face is blurred because he is their foster child so need to protect his identity. This little guy stole all our hearts; prayers appreciated as big decisions are made this month that will greatly affect his/their future!) 

 Thanksgiving dinner with Steve's extended family on his mom's side.

 Set up the Christmas village with Grandma Jackson...

 ...and the Christmas tree at Grandpa & Gram Hagen's.

 Christmas day with the Jackson family.

 So much fun time with cousins.

 Pretty cool gingerbread village.

 Christmas with the cousins - first time in 9 years!

Ben was really sick all day with a high fever, but we still had a blessed day together.

 And God sent us snow in answer to 3 kids' prayers!

 They got in some great sledding and snowboarding!

 Then He even sent MORE snow!  So blessed!

Appreciate everyone's prayers as we are in the throes of packing, weighing, re-shuffling and re-weighing.  And good-byes.  Those never get any easier.  We leave on Monday morning; thanks for praying!!!

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.