sad/joyful news

We just got word Monday evening that my dad passed away at the age of 91.  It is sad news for those of us here on earth that will miss him so much but what joyful news also because we know that he is in a better place.  We know that he is with his savior in glory and what a wonderful reunion must be happening with him and my mom.  I can see them up there praising there Lord together and talking about all the kids and grandkids and even the great grandkids.  My dad lived a very full wonderful life here on earth.  He was a many of many talents and much love to give.  He was very generous with his time and loved and prayed for his family often.  I thank God that He gave me Jake Lucas for a dad.  I have learned much from him and mom and cannot thank them enough for the life that they gave me.  He was a man of faults as well but we all are.  More important he was a man that loved God and taught his kids to do the same.  Dad we love you and will miss you so much but thank God that you are in a better place and that you get to spend eternity with mom now.

Kids

 

Many of you have asked about how the kids have been doing so I have decided to call and dedicate this blog to the kids.  Faith's picture is first so I will start with her.  This picture is a good representation of what she most often looks like here.  I often say that she was born to live in the Philippines.  She loves the food here and has adjusted well to the people around her.  She has a lot of "friends" that she enjoys playing and coloring with.  Most of her friends are a lot older but that is what makes her happy so we let her spend time with her friends often.  She is adjusting pretty well to the heat.  I have noticed that it seems to make her more irritable in the middle of the day when it is hottest, but if we can keep her occupied and happy then she is fine.  She loves to ride the motorcycle with her daddy if he goes to the shore to buy fish or to bring one of the workers home that lives about 3-4 kilometers from here.  She still will ask about Michigan and some of the people there.  If she misses someone to much she will bring my phone and ask if we can text them or call.  We most often will try and send a message.  Tonight she prayed that we might go visit Michigan soon.  She is also enjoying "school"  she likes to practice shapes and is learning her numbers.  She is counting to 12 and starting to recognize what some of the numbers are when they are written.  We love her joy and laughter and smiling face.

 

 

 

This picture I included to show you all the three smiling beautiful faces of the kids.

 

 Precious is next.  She has adjusted pretty well also.  It has been a bit harder for her as it is an all new way of life.  She has friends from years past that she has gotten reacquainted with first enjoys spending time with.  the food is a little harder for her, but she always has been my picky eater.  There are some things she just will not eat but other things that she really enjoys.  We have had to be a little more careful with her and food though, because she had a few days that she had a really bad stomach ache, took her to the doctor and found out she was having a lot of acid build up.  We have been trying since then to watch what she eats and how we cook the food and that has made a big difference.  The heat does not seem to bother her to much, she is smart to avoid going out to much in the heat of the day and if she has to go out she uses and umbrella for shade.  She is four days away from finishing the first grade.  We have been going a lot faster with school because she wants to try and get on the same schedule as her friends.  We have done well.  we are only about a week and a half behind them which considering we started our school year about two and a half months after them.  She is learning a lot.  She has made great strides in reading and math which where both subjects that we struggled with last year and at the start of this year.  She with talking to us has decided to continue with homeschool for now and so we will do second grade and us the Sonight curriculum again starting the school year in June here.  She is growing up to be such a great young girl and has such a tender heart.

 

Last but certainly not least is James.  He as many of you may know is the young boy here that we would like to adopt.  He is ten years old and has just finished the third grade.  I had the great honor of being at his closing program to watch him receive fourth honors in his class.  the honors are based on grades and he has the fourth highest grade in his class.  Classes hear are about 25 or so students.  He has learned a lot of English since we saw him last and I am trying hard to learn some Cebuano from him.  He is an active ten year old with a lot of energy like most boys his age.  He seems to be settling into our family well and takes great care with the girls.  He has his chores like most kids and has become very responsible to make sure they get done when they should.  It took some talking and discipline because he was not used to a set chore but has learned fast and does a great job now.  We love to hear his laughter and watch him with the girls, to see the love between all three of them is great.