I bought a fan!

We have been here in the Philippines for almost two weeks, and during that time we have had to make a few big purchases, like Hollie buying a couch/chair set, and us buying a washer the day we landed. We have, for the most part, set up our house how we need it. One thing to know about the Philippines is that it is hot and humid here. Being close to the equator, that makes sense, but when you come from a temperate climate with central AC and it's winter when you are moving to a tropical island when it's the rainy season and you only have two little aircons in the entire house....you notice the change in the heat and you feel that humidity.
So I did something about it. I bought a fan. That simple sentence might not seem like much, but for anyone who has experienced this kind of humidity, that oscillating cool breeze is like a godsend.

2017: The Year of F.O.A.M.

So it is officially the first of January. A New Year. People are making their resolutions and trying to improve themselves and "turn over a new leaf" and all of that. But for us, we are not really worried about our leaves or what side is facing up. We are more concerned with what will be taking place within the next few weeks.........
In a week, on January 8, I (Jeff) will be getting ordained by our sending church, SRC. Our entire family is also being commissioned, so the entire day is going to be HUGE in terms of the spiritual encouragement that we will be getting before we fly out, which is the next thing. Our flight leaves on January 17. That is sixteen days from when I am writing this. In sixteen days my wife and I will be taking our three small children on a plane for the very first time, with (almost) all our worldly possessions in about five checked bags to fly across the ocean, around the world, leaving the U.S. and moving our entire lives to the Philippines. So prayer is needed. For sanity, for our kids, who have been having a hard time with this whole transition. We have moved out of our apartment, about two weeks ago, and have been staying with family until we fly out. Our poor girls have had to say goodbye to friends, watch the house they have been living in for the past three years empty out, not have any stability or know where they will sleep next (we do, so don't worry) so they have all made themselves sick with the moving, constant travel, and all the business of the holidays on top of it! Whew! Ok, I think that is enough of the freak out.
So this is the year that we finally go overseas. This is the year that we finally see the hard work put in by everyone at our church who has been working on this with us to see what God is going to do with us in the Philippines. This is the year of our Family On A Mission, living out the work that God has given us and our church to take His Gospel to the ends of the earth, may God give us His grace and mercy and strength as we transition from what we have known and been comfortable with to the unknown and putting more and more trust and faith in Him, our God, who deserves all praise and glory. Happy New Year.