joanna in the philippines

Well, we are finally once again in Aritao... this time will be the last time I will come to Aritao. We left Manila on Monday, 3 days after Zane was born. We took our time though going up, not in a rush, but as it got dark, and since it was a bit rainy, we realized it might be a difficult trip. We were driving a van up for another missionary family, and the windshield wipers didn't work too great, and the defrost wasnt working quite well either, so as it got dark, and kept on raining, it got harder and harder to see. It is kinda dangerous to drive here in the night anyways, since 1) the way people drive is nuts, passing all over (but u gotta do it too :)) and 2) some people believe that driving without lights saves gas, so there are tricycles and cars that you gotta watch for extra careful. So... it was a bit tense ride when it got dark, just because we were all super on the lookout for any signs of movement in the dark... and then were blinded when cars were coming from the other direction (since we couldnt see through the windshield properly). Well, there was a time we almost pulled over and stopped, but we were all so ready to get to aritao... well, also, we hit fog halfway up the mountain that stayed with us until halfway down, so that was another reason to stay on the edge of our seats, but it worked out great, and God kept us safe (I was praying!). Don did a great job driving though. Zane proved to be a good traveler... and Thea and Koi were good too, they slept on my lap a lot of the way. So, it was a nice trip, but just knowing we were going to be able to settle down and relax once we got to Aritao made it all the better!

Things here have been good... just getting back into the swing of things. Spending time with Sarah and Markus, playing with all the kids each morning... etc... I had two good friends from Bible School here... Matt and Erin Castagna. They both lived/grew up here, so they were coming home, and I was just chilling in their home! :) But we had such a fun time seeing each other and catching up! Kind of cool running into them in the Philippines of all places! But thats just how an exciting God works I guess! So that was fun seeing them. They left today to go back down south. But with Christmas fast approaching, this place is going to be coming alive! I am excited, hearing about all the activities that go on during the holidays! Lots of Caroling, and dinner parties, and fellowship times. It should go fast and be super fun! I am already excited! Well, things here are great, and I am already beginning to think about packing up my bags and making sure I have enough pounds to bring all my stuff back! :) It always seems to be that way! Ha! Well, I'll keep updating with whats happening here, and I hope you all have a great holiday as well... and really, I have been encouraged about remembering the reason for all this stuff that goes on during the holidays: the traditions, the presents, the parties, the fun and family... and it all comes to the gift of Jesus, and remembering even what His birth into this world means for us now. It is so easy to get carried away with the trees and lights and the "feeling the holidays gives us," but it is nothing compared to knowing Christ and having a relationship with Him. I hope I don't lose sight of that this holiday season... it seems it is getting harder and harder to see in the way the world celebrates Christmas anymore! Well, goodnight everyone! God bless!