Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everybody!

I really want to apologize for having fallen off the blogosphere this past month or so. I've been crazy out of my mind and so the blogging has suffered. I just quickly want to post so people know we're alive and well. There is much to share from the past weeks including lots of parties and events, numerous clinic shifts, and cramming in 2 modules-worth of midwifery assignments that must be completed by mid Jan along with tests on all of them and paper work of my clinical experience. That's a big part of the being overwhelmed lately.

I regret that this has happened around Christmas (which contributes to the busyness, of course) as it takes away from being really present during this special holiday. I regret that I haven't taken time to think and be silent, to reflect on the year, to be thankful for God's gracious gift of Jesus. Of course, these thoughts and quick prayers happen but I've not made it the priority and given it the attention it deserves. There may be some belated Christmas thoughts forthcoming in future posts.

For now, the thing at hand is to pack for a weekend trip that we are taking with Lou & Marilyn (A's parents) tomorrow. They have been here for 2 weeks already and will stay with us until early February. It is a rich blessing to have them here with us in Cebu these days. We'll be staying on Camotes island for two nights, then back to Cebu for 2 nights, then we'll go to another island nearby, Negros, for 5 nights. It's our big vacation time together as a family during their visit. They have been such troopers so far, remaining very flexible and laid-back, cooking, cleaning and shopping for us, encouraging us and coming along to all of the various event and social involvements that demand our time lately (including a Christmas event today that our church put on for 900 people!, yes, 900!). Quite impressive actually how they just dive in and experience what there is to experience here.

So once I get these assignments done and tests taken and holidays done with, and I get caught up on some much-needed sleep, I'll be much more present. I'm looking forward to a break. Much love and blessings!!

Here are a few photos from our church's Christmas event today in a gym at a local elementary school. All 900 people were fed lunch and juice, received gifts, heard about God's gift and were given the opportunity to receive it freely. They also got family photos taken and the kids got their faces painted, balloons, and ice cream. It was wild!