The Becker Blog

Last Week and Graduation

2009-06-02T13:25:00.002+08:00

School ended last week. I loved attending Nate's final exam with his jazz class. They invited other students and parents so they could teach what they had learned. It made jazz and music seem so fun to everyone. Mr. Becker really taught them a lot in one semester!

Of course they played, too. I can never resist a picture of my man playing trumpet along with his students. I'm proud of him! What a great use of his gifts for the glory of God.

My special class of 2009 graduated on Thursday. Jordanna learned piano in two years, so here she is performing at graduation! I'm so proud of her.

Such an exciting and emotional event. I can't believe they are already off in the world. This is the class I started teaching when they were freshmen and I just became Mrs. Becker. I taught them for years, discipled them, listened to them and learned to love them. Now they are off in the world! I will miss them!

There's my class. How fun to have graduation in our own building and now with the school merged K-12.

I said my good-byes at the end and congratulated my special class.

One more good-bye to my piano student--this is the last time I saw her. Who knows when the next time will be.

This was a fun "date" for me and Nate. We didn't have as many responsibilities in this one, so we just sat back to enjoy.

And then we got silly and took this idea from some goofy sophomores. Yeah, the Beckers are wearing the graduates' clothes. Very mature, eh? This is something we think Stephen, Nate's brother would do (Stephen, this bring back any memories?). We took this one for you, bro.

Cheezy smiles from a fun class of 2009. Aren't they great!? I'll miss you all! Stay close to the Lord and follow Him faithfully.

Year-End Ceremonies

2009-06-02T13:21:00.002+08:00

The first year-end ceremonies held in our new performing arts center/auditorium. Students from many nationalities entered carrying their national flag. So diverse!

Nate's Jazz students played the prelude music. I love watching Nate play with his students.

The 8th grade class "graduates" to high school. Such sweet students.

I love this shot! While the proud parents captured their kids, I turned to get one of them. Do they know how proud they look?

It was fun to attend this ceremony with my mom and just sit back and enjoy. My mom was able to get a better idea of our school and our students.

College Sponsor and Language Learner

2009-06-02T13:16:00.002+08:00

My mom had fun meeting Lavelle in person. Lavelle is the college student that my mom is thankful to be able to sponsor. Without a sponsor, Lavelle would never go to college, and especially not this smaller specialized private one.

We took the Jeepney to her school with her mom. It was quite a fun outing for all--especially for Lavelle to finally meet and thank her sponsor in person.

Here is the college outside. We got the grand tour. What a blessing--thank You, Lord!

And still immersing herself in the culture....

Here she is having language lessons at our table with Ate Bebe. My mom is very brave to use the language to tell the taxi to turn right and stop here: "Sa tuo...para na." Excellent, Mom!

Visiting, Sharing, and Adventures

2009-05-17T20:05:00.002+08:00

I took my mom to visit Lin-Lin and her kids. It was fun for her to see their house and to meet her kids. On the right is Lin-Lin's mom, who was visiting from the mountain. Both Lin-Lin and I got to have our moms for Mother's Day!

Later we went to see where Emi used to live. This is the C.R. "Should I use it? Hmmm...."

"THIS is it? I don't think so." This is the one C.R. that is shared by a whole clump of families, living on planks out into the sea. I cannot describe it all here. It is too intense.

Elijah: "Follow me as we tour the Philippines."

All along here you will find rooms, each one occupied by a different family. It is like a college dorm in some ways, but in other ways totally different!

Does this picture say it all? My mom was having quite the adventure and cultural experience. Here is Emi, our tour guide.

My mom handed out fruit to all the people and kids we passed. What a day we had riding different things like trikes, bikes, taxis and walking. My mom is getting to really fit in here. She can even speak the language a bit!

And then back to our "other" world, on the street where I live. It is fun to just have these quiet moments with Grandma.

Can you spot my mom in this picture? We are attending the Elementary chapel where Nate is leading worship. There are many different aspects to our life and ministry here, as you can see by the tour my mom is taking here!

And here is another fun birthday outfit that Elijah got from Grandma and Grandpa. He loves to eat rocks.

I like the natural shots.

We are up to Thursday morning. Later I can post more pictures of our adventures in the Philippines, but for now I need to get Elijah to bed and give my mom a chance to email all her experiences to the fam!

For the Fam

2009-05-17T19:59:00.002+08:00

This is a post for the fam, mostly. It is the best way I can share pics with my sister and with Grandma and Grandpa Becker abroad. I love this one of Elijah! Look at those eyes!

I am putting this on for Grandma and Grandpa Becker. We had fun opening the package from you! Thank you! Here is the stuff you sent from America--it made it! Elijah loves those little animals that make sounds.

This one is for my sister and her fam. Sarah, you know what this is for!

"Peter, Clara, Jonas...I love my cousins. I miss you! Thank you for the presents--I love it!"

This is our good-bye! So sad to part with my dad, but very very good that he was able to come for a week! My mom is still here (total of 21 days). A blessing to have them both here. From this picture on, the journey continues with my mom. I love you, Dad! Thanks so much for coming!!!!

Paradise Get-Away

2009-05-17T19:43:00.002+08:00

Saturday, the day after Elijah's big birthday, we leisurely got ready and went on a little boat over to a nearby island resort. It was special to have family time all together for an overnight. These are unique moments to treasure!

We got to share a duplex with my parents, which had an adjoining porch. What an ideal place! So relaxing and special. I can hardly describe how joyful I felt being there with them and with my husband and son!

Seeing my Dad playing with my son was something I could never stop taking pictures of! I tried to hold back so my dad wouldn't get camera crazy, but these two are precious!

Elijah makes tons of friends everywhere we go. What a social guy!

I also enjoyed watching Elijah experience the water for the first time in his memory (I'm sure he doesn't remember being there for Christmas). He takes it all in so joyfully, splashing, laughing and trying to eat sand.

The one down-side was sharing our room with Elijah. We attempted to close him in behind a curtain in the corner, but he was peeking out and calling to us: "Why are you leaving me in this corner? Get me out of here!" It was so funny to see all his faces and reactions! We ended up skipping his nap for the first time and just taking pictures of him crying--too funny.

Mother's Day! I love our boy! I remember last Mother's Day, Elijah was only a few days old and I was home with our newborn. How special to have a new child just before our first Mother's Day!

Look at that water--ah! Don't you all want to come and visit us?!

This could be you....

Oh, it is great to have Grandma and Grandpa to watch our son while we go out kayaking. I love my husband--these are great times!

After our lunch on the beach we were surprised to find a special performance of native Filipino dances. Very interesting to see.

We praise the Lord for those special times together and for His beautiful creation.

Birthday Party #2--200+kids

2009-05-16T18:29:00.002+08:00

That afternoon we went to the local neighbor kids and had a huge party--not really for Elijah, but it was his birthday. Look at my parents--aren't they great!

Tons of kids and neighbors came (this is the same neighborhood where all the house projects below were completed). This is the place we are investing time and love in, so it was a great opportunity to share God's love and fun games with them.

Nate was a great sport with my Mom's slide whistle. The kids were amazed and had never seen it before.

Look at the smiles! My mom has some great ideas. You don't even need language for this one.

Elijah's greatest birthday moment was going in the parachute and having the kids sing HBTY to him as he climbed around. He's clapping with joy here.

This is one of my favorite moments--my dad helping out so much at the party. He was such a servant that day!

My husband and my dad--working together to serve. They are having tons of people line up as they hand 300 snacks out to people (loaded up in 4 big suitcases). What a party!

First Birthday

2009-05-16T18:20:00.002+08:00

He's one year old! Look at this little adventuresome boy! I love the new outfit Grandma and Grandpa brought from Gap Kids.

I love his expressions. He's growing fast--that's what they say, so I want to enjoy every moment!

Oh, look at the new Nike shoes, also from the grandparents. It was so funny to see him walk in shoes and to experience them for the first time!

He loves his Mama!

Mommy loves you, too, buddy! Look at this cuddly guy. Not long from now he won't want to cuddle much anymore!

His first present that morning was the outfit above. Fun to have visitors for the birthday.

Indeed I decorated a cake during his nap--does anyone think this resembles Thomas the train?

Birthday party #1 at the playplace with his friend. Great friend, eh, taking her pacifer away!

Here's the party at MacDonalds. Lots of great friends! He did have a melt-down, but I didn't put that pic in here=)

Blowing out the candle--one year boy!

Parents Arrive in Philippines!

2009-05-16T17:55:00.002+08:00

Here they are--my loving parents. They came all the way from Omaha for a second visit to the Philippines, this time for Elijah's first birthday (and to see us of course). It was GREAT to have them in our home and to have Elijah getting to know his grandparents.

Here we were showing my parents a tour of the new building and Nate's jazz class. Very nice!

Grandpa and Elijah--bonding moments! Oh I love this pic.

We took them to visit our Filipino friends. Look at this warm welcome (and I mean warm!).

Here is my mom meeting her namesake--Eunice Marilyn. Can you believe Emi named her baby girl after my mom?! Also in the back is the new library that they also got to see. It's fun to share our lives with them first-hand.

Here is the welcome sign they made for my parents. I still can't believe they are here!

A candid photo of Mom getting a tour by Ate Bebe, our language tutor. My mom is walking the streets of the Philippines! What a new experience for her! Doesn't she look like she is really in another country?!

The five (six!) of us had a nice outing to a restaurant on the hilltop, overlooking the city by night. You can see the ocean and the mountains in the distance. It was fun to have one nice dress-up evening and meal out.

My dad blew up tons and tons of baloons for Elijah's party--way to go Dad! Great lungs! My mom and I stayed up late getting the two parties ready and the treats that we would hand out to 300 kids and people.

Elijah was also getting ready for his special day--he loves his red balloon!

Project #3--God Provides House for Sister #12

2009-04-25T21:01:00.004+08:00

Since the Adopt-A-Sister program in November, we have been waiting for the money to arrive from the sisters in Canada who adopted Ate Jean. Her prayer was for a house, since she had no house. Finally the money arrived and the work began the week before Easter!

I've never seen her so happy! Here she is on her new land (which I witnessed the transaction for to make sure no one would take her title!). The support is being laid with stones and beams.

Ate Jean practically camped out there watching all the progress to the building. Elijah and I biked there every day to share the joy and also photograph the project so the sisters and their husbands in Canada can see! (You too!). This was also a blessing for the carpenters pictured, since they are also Christians and live in the neighborhood--they were able to earn extra money to provide for their families.

The next day the frame was up and Ate Jean was still there watching with excitement. They have five people plus one relative in their family, and currently they all sleep in one room on a mattress!! That will not do (says the American). Wow, this will be a huge blessing with multiple rooms and two floors.

The other sisters came by to join the fun. Here we are praising GOd with Ate Jean, and here are all the kids who wanted to help build too. The sisters said "Completo na sa panalangin" (The blessings from God are now complete). It was great to have sister #12 finally receiving her answer to prayer.

Doesn't this look so Filipino? I love it. The sun is coming in, the banana leaves are shading, and the panday (builder) is measuring by hand and working hard in the sun.

The roof is up and some walls are up. There are stone blocks for the foundation. Make sure it is high enough so the rain does not flow through.

Elijah is always ready to see what is new. He looks up at the house as if to say, "Wow, good job guys, the work is coming along!"

This is the progress as of today! The cement floor is in, the stairs are up, the kitchen sink is in (no water yet), the amacan walls are up.....

The parents have their own private bedroom here on the first floor with walls and a C.R. just near (so they don't have to go outside).

Here is the C.R. (Comfort room)...right inside the house! The pipes are yet to be laid for the septic tank and they still need water installed.

Upstairs there is a lovely terrace with a beautiful view and nice breeze. I love balconys. This is now one of the nicest homes in the neighborhood. What a testimony to God's gracious provision.

Here we are in one of the three smaller rooms upstairs. NOw there is one for the two girls, one for the older boy and one for the relative. (I can hardly imagine before all of them sleeping on one mattress!)

Here we are outside the house, and Ate Jean is lovingly touching my pregnant belly. Here you can finally see the baby popping out a bit. (20 weeks now)

Ta-da!! Compare this to the picture on the top! Wow, what progress! Praise the Lord for the Canadian sisters and their husbands who shared their blessings with Ate Jean so she and her family can have a home of their own!

Project #2--The "Widow's" New House

2009-04-25T20:47:00.002+08:00

Remember in October when Lin-Lin's husband died, leaving her with five kids (the same week her father died)? Well, God provided for her to get lots of house repairs, making her home more safe and livable for them. Before, there was just a hole in the wall; now there is a new window with slats so people cannot look in or climb in.

Before there was nothing in this corner; now there is a new sink with water! Before they had to get water outside in a bucket; now they have it piped to a faucet in this sink. Before they had few dishes; now they have some dishes and a table.

(Though I wish you could see it, I was not able to take before pictures because of the delicate situation and my relationship hadn't developed yet).

Before, the floor was sand from the beach and the house was ground level, making potential floods. Now there is enough cement for it to be raised and it is smooth and clean. (Now when we visit, Elijah does not have to eat the sand from the floor).

Before, there was a sheet for a curtain separating that corner for a room. Now there are walls for a closed-in room (no bed yet, but maybe someday, and no lights or fan yet, but praying God will soon provide).

Here we are in the doorway! Before there was no door (unsafe, scary...), now there is a door. Note also the steps going up now so that there are no floods or mud.

Also, there was cement available to smooth the interior walls, wood for a ceiling and support for the roof. Before there was a whimpy pole in the middle consisiting of two broken pieces of wood hammered together. Now it seems like a whole new house! Praise God! Thank God for the people in the U.S. who sent money to pay for this. Bless them!

There's always more to gain visions for, like this "shower". This is up a hill nearby the house where they hose down behind a curtain outdoors. They have to shower with their clothes on because people can stand on the hill and look in to see. Soon there will be a C.R. (comfort room), Aka, an outhouse, but right now, where do they use the C.R.? Their house is too low to make a proper hole in the ground so they have to build one up the hill.

Outside the front door they share this cooking area. They make a fire with charcoal and cook the rice in the pot.

This is my only "before" picture, taken in October just after the tragedy of the father/husband's death.

Since then Lin-Lin has received Christ into her life, has trusted God for his comfort, protection and provision, and now has a new house to live in. Praise the Lord! Also I like to see them smiling now! Praise the Lord for all the Christians who prayed for her and her kids and who sent money to help her in need.

Fun People in Elijah's Little Life

2009-04-25T20:41:00.002+08:00

Here is Amor, one of Elijah's favorite (and only) baby-sitters. She is so good with him. Ah the love!

Here is Elijah's first babysitter ever, and the lady who got him to eat his first food when I was not there to nurse him. He can recognize her and spot her in any crowd giving a big smile!

Here are some of our international students on none other than international day! Two Koreans and one Japanese student--note Elijah is wearing his "I love the USA" outfit with red-white-and blue. What a contrast to the lovely dresses!

Here is one of the new students, Joel. He is SO good with Elijah. When his family came for dinner, Joel played with Elijah for an hour making him laugh and building towers of blocks for him to knock down. Look at this precious hand-in-hand shot!

And here is the big boy on Easter day. Sunday nights we love to go to the field and watch papa play ultimate frisbee. Elijah just wanders around and looks for bottle-caps, straws and rocks to chew on.

Project #1--Library

2009-04-25T20:34:00.002+08:00

The vision I had since before we went to the U.S. a year ago was to build a library for the poor people near to our neighborhood. They have no access to any library and cannot afford books. Yet as a reader, learner and teacher I know the value of reading books and learning (and having something productive to do).

We started with nothing, but in the U.S. we collected many books from donors and shipped them in boxes. We organized them and created a card system--simple and usable. Then I was waiting for the money to build the shelves, and at last it is provided.

Here are the workers building the library shelves.

And here is the lovely librarian, Emi. The books are in the first room of her house so she can manage them. Soon mothers and children will be by to check out books. We're also planning a reading club on the floor here and hope to use it for Bible story time too!

Praise God for his provision for these books, for Emi and for the lovely couple from the midwest U.S. who donated the money for these shelves!

Walking Boy

2009-04-03T08:53:00.004+08:00

I can't help it. I am a proud mama! Look at this little guy go! After one week he was cruising up and down the hallway, back and forth, practicing his new skill--walking! He loves to hold a rag or cloth while he walks. I don't know, maybe it is like the tightrope-walkers who need a pole for balance.
Helping Mama sweep!

Look at that smile...so proud of himself.

I'm walking!

Look at me, Mama! "Yes, son, I am proud of you!"

AND A VIDEO FOR THE PROUD GRANDPARENTS:

First Steps! Precious!

2009-03-25T09:30:00.004+08:00

What a joy to watch Elijah take his first steps. He smiles huge so proud of himself!

10 Month Photo Shoot

2009-03-14T10:19:00.004+08:00

Warning: Lots of photos to follow! I included all my favorite ones especially for my mom, who I know will study every detail.

Elijah turned 10 months on March 8th! What a fun boy! He now has six teeth, can stand by himself, and tries to walk fast when holding someone's hand. He eats lots of things (I couldn't resist letting him try mango!), and he sleeps through the night in his own room!
He loves to help Mama with the diapers. What is so fun about waiving cloths in the air?

We go everywhere together and still get lots of attention on the bike--his little chariot!

Elijah loves to praise the Lord with Papa. He is claping along with everyone else.

Learning to stand and walk.

Determined expressions--little explorer.

"Oooh," he often makes that face. I love his little hands and those beautiful eyes.

Two little buddies. Nice sharing, boys!

He loves to play at the park with Mama and the other kids.

A great place to practice walking.

What a joyful boy!

"Let's go fast, Mama!" Soon he'll be running!

Curious boy, he loves to eat leaves and rocks.

The moms thought it would be a fun photo, but the kids....I'm not so sure about this.

Wheelbarrow fun.....fun?

These two buddies are destined to be friends! How great to have another little boy around.

First track and field day---run, Elijah! What a fun little guy.

Bands of Blessing

2009-03-14T09:45:00.002+08:00

Last Friday night was the band concert, called "Bands of Blessing". Nate did such a great job as the director! Here is his high school jazz band class. It was fun for them to have him playing trumpet with them.

Notice the Suzaphone (sp?) in the background--a huge gift from some of our principal's supporters. I'm still amazed at all that God has provided since we first came. Now we even have an auditorium and stage!

Here are two of Mr. Becker's students playing a special number. The musicians are making such beautiful sounds!

Here is a balcony view of our new auditorium. Wow! What a difference from our concerts on wooden platforms on the basketball court! Thank you, Lord!

Beginning band students--they sounded really good. One mother heard her daughter practicing and said to her friend, "I don't think she is ever going to play that clarinet," but here she is in concert! I can't help but be so proud of Nate for all his work making beginners into a band! Thank you, Lord, for these blessings!

Fun Family Pics

2009-03-14T09:37:00.002+08:00

Nate and I were finally able to have a date out on the town. It was very fun to have special time together just as a couple. Elijah was happy to play with his Ate while we went out.

Elijah loves his Papa and as you can see, Papa loves to chill with his boy!

"What is this? VEGETABLES?" We tried but were not so good at getting him to eat his broccoli! Look at that little face!

Fun boy--he loves to play piano, especially when Mommy and Daddy are trying to play duets. He doesn't want to be left out of the family fun!

Look at those little teeth! Elijah is learning to walk all around the place! He is a little cruiser! This is one of my favorite outfits from Grandma and Grandpa Becker.

Precious! These two are such a pair!

Elijah is so curious about the drums! When we go to Papa's class, he always crawls straight to the drums and wants to have lessons.

"I've got to make my way to the drumsticks!"

Soon he'll be walking without those chairs. He is a jolly joyful boy.

He now has six teeth, which he loves to bite Mama's leg with! I'm trying to teach him not to do that, but it's not sinking in yet.

Outdoor Education--Jungle Survival

2009-02-19T09:10:00.002+08:00

Here's Mr. Becker and his OE squad. They bonded and learned lots together. I only have a few pics because I was not the photographer. One of his students had a camera and I got these from her facebook, (thanks, Hannah).

The theme was Jungle Survival. Nate and I led a squad three years ago here, so I can totally picture it. There is so much to learn in the jungle!

Random airplane picture--I did not know about this singing performance until I found this picture on facebook!

Mr. Becker's students help him over the wall. They learned lots of teambuilding and teamwork.

Students in the airport--where else can you go with your whole middle school on a plane for a trip? Pretty cool!

Mr. Becker is there in the background watching his students working together.

The old Subic military base is now a camp where they all stayed. It is like barracks.

Learning how to make fire with bamboo. It's amazing how many things you can do with bamboo.

Here is what they ate in the jungle. What is it??? All served on a bamboo plate with a bamboo spoon. Yum!

Lovely Philippine ocean. Here the whole school went to an outdoor adventure to watch dolphins and other sea animals in a show.

Taoism and Gardens

2009-02-14T09:48:00.002+08:00

There were TONS of people actually worshiping at this Taoist temple. It was unreal to see all the different things happening. Here are people getting incense to burn for prayers.

Bowing in worship, to who?

Idols in the background with leaders in the front. Look at their ornate costumes! Candles on the floor, objects of worship, instruments (gong, drum, cymbal), chanting...people bowing, food at the feet of idols, people collecting money and writing something in a book...what does it all mean? This was brand new to me (I think there is a website www.shchm.org). I need to learn more.

Bowing to idols/gods? How many gods are there? What are their beliefs? I just observed taking it all in.

Elijah is very sleepy--what is happening in this place?

A monk? Leader? What a costume! And what is that stick for?

The ribbons tied had writing on them--prayers? This woman is praying to those gods...this is very sad to me. Wow, people were everywhere bowing to idols and gods. I guess it is hard to believe in an invisible God--only ONE--if you were raised in a culture like this.

Do you want to offer food to this pair of statues? Why is his face red? Why the long beard?

Outside the temple was a lovely garden. Much more fresh air here (no incense). I set Elijah down and, bam, there was a crowd. People loved to meet him. What a fun boy.

It really felt Chinese in these places. How funny to see Elijah in a stocking cap! I hardly recognized him in his winter clothes. Around the corner was a Starbucks where I had hot chocolate while Elijah napped. Not very Chinese, but they did greet us "Nee-how!"

WaterTown--Zhujiajiao

2009-02-14T09:39:00.002+08:00

Thousands of bulidings built in Ming and Qing dynasty. 36 ancient stone bridges. I like this typical picture--simple life.

Cool sights and pictures everywhere we turned.

Ancient post office. The Chinese postal system is very ancient too. I love it! Wouldn't you like to send mail from this mail box?

Lots of cool stores and shops along the way.

Boating in China, how cool?!

Lovely waterways and stones. Cold but lovely. I felt like we were the only tourists there, so we were really looking in to their lives.

I love seeing people biking around. In Cambodia I had pictures of ladies biking. In the Philippines women don't ride bikes (but I stand out a woman, foreign AND with a baby on the bike! They think I'm crazy, but look at all the women biking in the world--it is truly cultural).

I realize now that we don't have many pictures of all of us! We shared the picture-taking. Here is Kaylee but Ashley is not in the pic--it was her 5th birthday that day.

Does he look Chinese? What an adventurer. He was so curious about everything and everyone. He could hardly close his eyes for a nap fearing he would miss something--just like his mom!

This would be a cool place for wedding pictures (I guess if you are Buddhist). I love stones and this pretty peaceful Chinese garden. One of the few pictures of me alone in China. Elijah is climbing around eating stones.

Buddhism, Food and People

2009-02-14T09:24:00.002+08:00

Sunday we went to a Buddhist temple. It was very sad to see the people actually worshiping these idols. I look serious because I saw no reason to smile.

Here's another statue (another god?). Different position of hands, standing...what does it all mean? I need to learn more. It would take so long for me to get inside the mind and beliefs of Chinese people.

My expression, "Can you believe all these idols? Look at the people bowing to them? Lord, I will not bow to an idol. I will worship only You. Will you show these people the truth?" There are tons of kneeling benches and the idols on the wall were all different. They looked scary to me too!

I'm smiling to meet some monks. Very interesting to attend during their "worship service".

On a different day we went to an ancient water town with bridges and pathways. There was the largest wooden Budda in the world (smiling).

Attached to the Buddha (is there an H?)...were these--prayers? I need to learn more! This is currently my desktop background. Very interesting.

Would you like to guess what this is? Try to imagine the smell. Would you like to buy some? The smells down the streets were very distinct. We ended up eating later at KFC! Yikes! Not very brave, I guess.

This is my all-time favorite picture from China. I turned the corner and saw this very Chinese-looking man. Elijah had his little Chinese outfit so I passed him to the man and he was proud. I love the weathered older face with the young soft face. Elijah is so social!

Here's a temple of some kind. It was the coldest on this day, so you see our noses getting progressively colder. Me in my jean jacket--I am more from the tropics definitely.

Friends in China--who knew we would meet up there someday with kids? Fun! What a blessing to be together and explore the world together with our babes. Cool bridges and walkways--it truly felt like the ancient Chinese town that it was.

Friends in China

2009-02-14T09:15:00.002+08:00

Here is the apartment Allison lives in. She is on the 6th floor. Wow, what a high-rise! It seems like a house inside, though, because there are lots of windows on all sides.

Here are the buddies--Elijah (almost 9 months) and Nathan (4 months). Nathan buddy is hanging on to his new pal.

Elijah zonked out in the museum--perfect! We were able to see all kinds of interesting Chinese writing, art, pottery, jade and artifacts.

This would be a cool desktop background. I like the writing...very interesting but hard to read!

This was the nicest weather we had--sunny but still crisp. The Chinese are very concerned that Elijah is too cold. I think he's okay.

Elijah made TONS of friends. Here is one of his little marshmellow buddies. They overdress the kids so they stay warm. Man, this guy must be burning up. They thought Elijah was too cold. Elijah is wondering, "Why are all these people looking at me?" You stand out, son.

Yep, we stand out here. This is the busiest street, supposedly a million people pass by every day. We really felt like we were in China here!

Try reading these road signs. Allison was indeed a great navigator, though.

Micah, I took this picture for you. A Chinese pizza hut (we did not eat here, but it reminded me of you in Spain!).

Dragon fruit, appropriately named for China! Inside it is white with black dots and tastes like melon a bit. We don't have this in the Philippines, but I think they have it in Thailand too.

Fun With Friends

2009-01-27T19:12:00.003+08:00

Elijah and his buddy Silas are making memories together.

Big boy driver!

Colorful balls....content boy.

Fun little friends.

I love my boy!

Learning to Speak

2009-01-27T17:01:00.003+08:00