Returning to chaos

Since the last post school has started again. Our family tries every year at the beginning of the school year to put together some back to school packs for the local elementary students. So this year we did exactly that for all the students that enrolled at the local elementary from grades Kinder to 6th grade. We provided the students with pencils/pens, paper, crayons, earaser, sharpeners, and a couple notebooks all that an elementary student would need to start the year. So the start of this year saw Precious entering 10th grade, Mickaila starting 7th grade, Faith entering 6th grade which in the Philippines means her last year of elementary, Andrew starting 4th grade, and the twins Mark and Marah starting 3rd grade. So because of Politics the Department of Education is considering ending its K to 12 Program meaning that there is the possibility that this could Precious' last year of highschool.

Just as school has started Mommy (Jessica) found out that in order to be completely rid of the cancer in her cervix she would need to get a hysterectomy. So she had the surgery on the 13th of september was admitted the 11th and was released the 16th.A little before that my Grandpa on Daddy's side was hospitalized for a week, he came home but never really got back on his feet he passed towards the beginning of October at the age of 92.

This was at a family dinner 2 weeks before Lolo (Grandpa) passed.

This was taken on his 91st Birthday As a tradition in our house every year we have to celebrate American Thanksgiving before we even talk about Christmas. But when we do celebrate we always invite our neighbors meaning we have to have a filipino twist. So we had the traditional mash potatoes, corn, and pumpkin (Squash) pie and for our Fiipino twist we had a whole roasted Pig and of course RICE!

Daddy and some of the kids behind the roasted pig

Some other Pics from Thanksgiving This year for Christmas we decided to take a Family Vacation to Mindanao for a week so as soon the the kid's Christmas parties has ended we left for our week long family vaaction. We spent the first couple days with some cousins of ours up in the mountains. Then we went to see some friends of ours in Tagum. These friends have been such a huge blessing to our family and while we were there they treated us like royalty. We didn't have to cook, drive or anything hard work. They took us to see the tallest Christmas tree in the Philippines, a hot spring (which was too hot), and then they gave us all a Christmas surprise with a big breakfast and presents for all of us including mommy and daddy. They also let some of us kids tag along to for some caroling.

Daddy came with us to go Caroling

One of the best Christmas Breakfasts ever

Family with Ate Val

Hot spring in Tagum

Tallest Christmas tree in the Philippines When we got back from vacation instead of resting and recovering from travel for a few days it was Go! Go!Go! for Precious to get ready for the Children's Christmas Program. This year the kids performed a skit while dancing of the Christmas story. A cousin of ours came up with the choreography and Precious directed everything. The staff also handmade all the costumes, from the star to the Angel's gowns and wings.

Me and some of the kids in the skit

Almost all the kids that were apart of the skit (all in costume)

One of the young boys wanted to pretend he was a king

The young girl that volunteered to be Mary. For the year ahead we look forward to doing at least 3 kids camps, two youth camps, and a Children's ministry staff retreat. Our first Kids camp is gonna be March 16. Details are still being figured out but we are excited for the year ahead. So from our family we would like to say God bless to each and every one of you.