My Place

Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever find,

The groove that was supposed to be mine.

Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever get to,

The link in the chain that is supposed to be me.

Sometimes I wonder if I will ever locate

My piece in the puzzle.

Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever find,

My place in the play.

I wonder when I’ll find out whom to be.

I’ve tried to be like someone else.

But I have to come to understand,

That it is not really me.

So I guess the secret is

To find who I am.

Then I will figure out what is my groove.

I’ll reach my link in the chain.

I’ll find my piece in the puzzle

And my place in the play

Because I will be

ME.

Alexie

The Bamboo and the Butterfly

Recently, I have been inspired musically. It began when we met Kuya Eryk (“kuya” means “big brother” in Tagolog and is used as a title of respect). Kuya Eryk has the God-given talent of making instruments out of bamboo. He showed us a bamboo saxophone and flutes he had made. He also can PLAY by ear!! His flutes sound like Mr. Tumnus’ in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. However, I can’t make a sound out of the standard flutes so Dad bought us a clarinet. Maybe later, after practice, I will be able to play one of the flutes.

He told us the story of how he made the one of the instruments. Three times he passed the dirty bamboo root on the garbage pile. He felt God told him to pick it up. He cleaned it and felt as he was working on it, God was working on him. It hurt when he made the holes. Sometimes, he wanted to quit, crying “God, it hurts!” But over and over again, he heard God say “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you.” Finally, he carved it with scrimshaw and the stars of the Philippine flag and polished it so it shone. He felt such satisfaction and knew it wasn’t him that did it but God working through him.

When we were in Baguio, we went to see our friend, Arabelle, perform in the Musar School of Music recital at the mall. There was a black swallowtail butterfly fluttering around overhead the entire time like an elusive muse. It flew around the entire time, landing on instruments and hovering around one of the singers’ hands. Hurray for Arabelle! You did such a wonderful job singing!

I have to go practice my clarinet,

Love,

Adriana

Our bamboo clarinet with the case Alayna crocheted

Three Years...

On Saturday, May 28, 2011, we celebrated three years of living in the Philippines. We also went to Baguio, but that was not my choice, and because nobody likes to hear complaining, I am not going to talk about that. This post is about the three-year anniversary not Baguio as anyone can tell by the title. So anyways, as I am trying to focus, I think it would be a good idea for us to say three things we have learned from living in the Philippines.

I, Adriana, will go first:

1. Being with people is important. Before when I was in the U.S., I did not enjoy being with people because I felt so awkward. I’d rather sit and read a book. The awkwardness hasn’t completely disappeared. I still need alone time and will always love reading, but I now have a desire to spend time with people.

2. Courage. Face up to your fears. Before I came here, I was afraid of change and heights. I have grown more flexible.

3. The world is a big, amazing place with so many people who are not that different from me.

Alexie

1. I learned what a great thing it is to have sisters. When I first moved to the Philippines, I remember crying because I did not have any friends. But now I have 3 good friends that live with me. I know that I will know them for the rest of my life.

2.I have learned the reality of the spiritual realm.

3. I have learned the trouble with having customs that tie in to your beliefs.

Alayna

1. The value of generosity

2. The difference between friendliness and true friendship

3. Crocheting

Annalise

1. That if you eat a lot of candy and don’t brush your teeth, they rot

2. How coconuts and bananas grow

3. What a banana tree looks like