World War II Stories

Lately, I have been joining my parents at their weekly clinic. Adriana and I have just learned about World War II so we sent emails out to our great-grandparents to learn about their experiences in World War II. Then the following week when we were at clinic, Dad asked the people there about their experiences. I hurried to write notes but most of the people did not have any stories. One man did. He had many stories. His wife invited me to her houses to her more stories. After breakfast, he started telling stories. He was captured by the Japanese and a messenger for the Americans. My favorite story is of his time as a messenger:

“I was taken as a messenger for the American. They would put a message in a wax container like the ones tennis balls come in. Then they put it in my back pack covered it with grass, kamote, and then some more grass. I would hike to Betwagan via. Taluban. An American squad was always with me. There were many leeches on the path.  When I got there, they took my back pack, fed me, and clothed me. Then they let me rest the next day. They also gave me a field jacket that reached past my waist because it was too big. Then I walked back with my back pack and when we went home, they took my backpack again. It may have had a new message in it. I had to keep my journey a secret so I learned what secret and top secret meant from the military.  I was also given two triangles of cloth: one white and one red for when I went to Samoki. I would hide them in my g-string and tie them on sticks and use them as signals for the Americans. I would wave them three times. It is only now I know that the red meant danger and that the white meant forward.”

Still dancing,

Alexie

Ash Breeze

“Bah!  Only a weakling gives up when he’s becalmed!  A strong man sails by ash breeze!”

….

Nat asked, “How do you ‘sail by ash breeze’?”

Sam grinned.  “When a ship is becalmed-- the wind died down--she can’t move-- sometimes the sailors break out their oars.  They’ll row a boat ahead of the ship and tow her.  Or they’ll carry out anchors and heave them over, and the crew will lean on the capstan bars and drag the ship up to where the anchors are heaved over.  Oars are made of ash-white ash.  So-when you get ahead by your own get-up-and-get—that’s when you sail by ash breeze.”

page 47and 48 of Carry On, Mr. Bowditch! By Jean Lee Latham

Recently our family just finished reading Carry On, Mr. Bowditch!  It had been a read-aloud before but it is such an inspiring biography that is worth reading again.  Although Nathaniel Bowditch was taken out of school at age 10, he still managed to win success with perseverant hard work. 

This idea of hard work has been reinforced by another book we have been reading.  Alexie and I finished reading Up from Slavery by Booker T. Washington.  Booker T. Washington shared his task of teaching African-Americans that work was not a disgrace but a calling and teaching them how to do their work well.  While he realized that laws should apply equally to African-Americans and whites, he wanted to train African-Americans to strive for excellence and become people worthy of their neighbors respect.  He says “I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has had to overcome while trying to succeed.”  If laws allow uneducated whites to vote but not uneducated blacks, then the whites are the ones who suffer because they have no motivation to get educated.  Our circumstances do not determine who we are; it’s what we do with them.

Our assigned chapter of A Christian’s Secret to A Happy Life talked about circumstances as well.  Often, people think that accepting Jesus will clear away all their problems.  Many people believe a blessing gospel which says accept Jesus, and your mortgage will go away, you will be extremely fit, your boss will give you a raise, and everyone will like you.  They forget that God promised us persecution.  He told us to take up our cross and follow Him.  How can we relate to non-Christians if everything goes perfect for us?  Still, God promised He would be with us every step of the way.  He will never give us more than we can bear.  He won’t get rid of our bad circumstances but He will give us triumph over them.

My heart broke for a young lady at Sabangan but she also inspired me.  Her goal is to earn an education so she can help support her family.  She feels like her relatives look down on her family as if they were just a group of ants.  She is struggling with algebra.  Her parents never finished high school so they can’t help her.  One of her brothers has a talent for math but he chooses to work in the field instead of studying.  When she was little, she was told that the Philippines was a developing country.  Why has nothing changed?  But only the persistent hard work of such as her will ever change it.  When I left Sabangan, I determined that I, who have so much more with two home-schooling parents, would work harder and not give into my laziness.

So what are your dreams?  Your desires?  Your purpose in life?  I encourage you to first make sure they are right and good and then to fight through your difficulties to reach them.  Ask someone to pray for you and most importantly, don’t give up.  If the wind won’t blow the right way, break out your oars and sail by ash breeze.

If what you’re doing is good and right

Do not fear the enemies’ might

Just do your best

And God will do the rest.

Love,

Adriana

“Character, not circumstances, makes the man.”
Booker T. Washington

Read more:http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/b/booker_t_washington.html#ixzz1eDiJc0KL

          “Circumstances make men kings in the outer life, but in this hidden life men become kings over circumstances.”

~The Christian’s Secret to a Happy Life by Hannah Whitall Smith

Adriana's a Godmother

On Thursday, October 20, Daddy called me to read a phone text he received.  Our friend’s daughter, Stevonnie was going to be dedicated in Saclit Sunday and they had chosen me as godparent.  Our whole family wanted to go but it was such short notice.  Daddy and Alayna were going with part of the team to Sadanga and someone had to stay behind and take care of the rest of the team.  I was very excited about the trip because it was my first village trip without a family member.  

Kuya Steve picked me up.  (Kuya and Ate are titles of respect for people older than you.  Kuya means “big brother” and Ate means “big sister”.)  He was texting my Dad to ask if we liked guavas but hadn't got an answer.  I told him that Daddy was in Anabel and so he was surprised.  We went to the jeepney and got to ride all the road to Saclit, without changing tires or slipping down mountains.  We only stopped to let people on or off and to get water for the engine.   Kuya Steve had forgotten to get something for supper.  There was an old lady with two squash on the jeepney and she gave us one.  Later, Ate Mindel confessed that she had been thinking: those are very nice squash, I want one, Please, God, give me a squash.  An example of answered prayer and God's provision!

We hiked up the stairs and stepped over fences on our way to the church.  Most villages don't have fences, but Saclit doesn't have pigpens.  Ate Mindel would stop to talk with people.  Frequently, I heard the word Americano.  We went to the parsonage (an empty room below church where Kuya Steve stays when he comes to preach) and I played with Stevonnie as they washed dishes and prepared supper.  I wanted to help with decorations but there was a drunk man and so Kuya Steve didn't think I should go up and I agreed with him.  Kuya Steve had been going to ask our former host if I could stay there at their house because he didn't think I should stay at the parsonage but it was 10 p.m. already so I just slept with Ate MIndel and Stevonne while Kuya Steve slept upstairs.  The parsonage has no CR (bathroom or comfort room) so if it was day, you went to the neighbor's house and if not, you went outside.  It was a little uncomfortable for me because I didn't know the neighbor and she didn't seem to know English and the CR had no door.  The biggest thing was the church has rats because it is "so prosperous".  I wouldn't have been so scared if Ate Mindel hadn't said "Let's pray they don't bite us." I was ashamed because I woke her up.  I thought I heard the clicking of many toenails on wood next to me and it was too dark for me to find my flashlight.  It was just a moth in a cellophane bag.

     The next day, we all bathed and went up to church.  Ate Mindel sat next to me and translated.  She is very good about that and I deeply appreciate it.  The visiting pastor said, "Oh, I see you have a white Saclit," and hoped this would not be my last visit.  He preached about thanksgiving and blessing.  Then it was time for the dedication service.  The parents and children sat on a bench in the front and the sponsors stood behind them.  The pastor explained how dedication was different than baptism and he and the parents laid hands on their child and prayed for them.  Then he asked the sponsor (godparent) to hold the baby and pray for him/her.  Then the sponsors were asked:  Whether we would help the parents nurture their child, physically, mentally, and spiritually?  Whether we were willing to take this vow before the congregation?  Then the sponsors came and signed the dedication certificate.  The visiting pastor invited me to a homecoming service at his church 80 km from Saclit.  There was a lot of food.  Later, I learned it is okay to say no, I am full, but then I over-ate because they served me so much and I thought if I didn't eat it all, they would think their food wasn't good enough for me and I would offend their hospitality.  After the service, Stevonnie got to open her present.

We also got to do ministry.  Every morning, Kuya Steve and Ate Mindel have been reading a chapter of the Bible and discussing it.  They are now in Psalms and invited me to join them.  After church, we walked around and prayed for people such as a feverish baby named Julian.  We also prayed with the mother of Lazaro.  One man said he knew me.  He was one of the builders of the nepa huts for the restaurant below our Bontoc apartment.  It amazes me how many people know us.  We visited our former hosts.  They wanted me to stay there but all my stuff was back at the church.  We stayed for dinner, though.  Kuya Alex (our former host) wants a team to go to Saclit because he tries to share the gospel but it doesn't seem like the people listen to him.  They sent us a backpack full of blankets so I wouldn't be cold and let us borrow our flashlights.  Kuya Steve said we would have to get up early because the jeepney left at 8 or 9.  I woke Ate Mindel up again because there was a squeaky scream.  She said it was outside and then she told me that rats only bite if you smell like food and not if you wash.  In the morning, she said that a rat had probably fallen from the church.  I hope I didn't shame myself too much but the scream woke Kuya Steve up too.  

We missed the jeepney.  You can't walk very fast on gravel.  Kuya Steve was wondering if the road from Saclit to the highway was the longest village road I had traveled.  He couldn't believe that I had gone to Chapyosen.  We caught a surveying van.  It would stop and go backwards but it was very comfortable.  Then we finally caught the bus.  Ate Mindel and Kuya Steve were worried that my parents might be worried about me.  We had lunch together at Bontoc and the rest of my family joined us. Mommy got a slight surprise when she saw me wearing Ate Mindel’s shirt.  Ate Mindel would not hear of me re-wearing one of mine.  I was given a squash and peanuts.  Later, Kuya Steve brought us a lot of guavas.

I really enjoyed my time at Saclit.  It was good to talk with Ate Mindel and Kuya Steve.  I loved seeing Stevonnie’s smiles and getting to hold her.  I certainly enjoyed the adventure.

The very happy Ninang (godparent) of Stevonnie Bless,

Adriana

Missionaries Gone Military

The title has nothing to do with any kind of violence but our water situation. I have nothing against the military. I respect them for being brave enough to risk their lives for what they think is right. However, the adjective military is rarely used with the synonyms: comfortable, relaxing, and luxurious. Military showers may be good for the environment and possibly for our health. However, they are not comfortable let alone luxurious. Here’s the description. You turn the shower on and get completely wet and wet your washcloth. Generally, the water is cold at the beginning and deliciously warm when you have to turn it off and soap your body and shampoo your hair. After you are all soaped up, which you try to do as quickly as possible so you’re not cold, you rinse, turn the shower off, and dry off. That is what you call a military shower. We have been forced to have military showers because a landslide destroyed our original water source and so we now only get one hour of water every other day. Hopefully, that will be fixed. But for now, I can be thankful:

1.Because of the water stored in our tank, we have running water most of the time.

2.We have water heaters on our showers.

P.S. When I am back in the U.S., I will have hot showers! Every day! Maybe even a bath! But I don’t think I will ever have a dipper and bucket shower there.

Love,

Adriana

Teaching Time

This week God has really taught me about prayer and how important it is. It all started with when we watched Letters to God. It is a really good movie about a little boy who has brain cancer and writes a letter to God every day. It is especially powerful because it is based on a true story.

This lesson was taught to me even more by reading the book Out of the Far Corners. It also talks about a true story of an orphaned Russian boy who felt that God as His best friend and it portrays the faithfulness of God. I learned that prayer is very important and is very powerful. God is always there even if no else is!!!!!!

Alexie

Questions for Alayna

Alayna’s twelfth birthday is coming up on August 29 so we will be posting a birthday interview. All questions would be greatly appreciated. Please comment and we will post her answers later.

Thanks!

Fang-orao

Last Sunday, we went to Fang-orao. Fang-orao is a part of Malicong we girls hadn’t seen yet. We wanted to go earlier but they were having a t-er which is a Pied Piper of Hamelin sort of ritual. So we were very excited.

We started off by missing the jeepney. When the trike dropped us off, we at first thought we had directed him to the wrong place. We found out that the jeepney we had been hoping to catch at 8 had left at 7:30 and there was no other jeepney in the morning. Dad was upset because he hates being late and he was scheduled to preach. So, I sat and waited while he texted the pastor and Mom asked trike drivers how much it would cost to go to Malicong.

I thought a great many random things in that time. I watched a cute three-year-old girl playing with her grandmother and a pair of yellow sunglasses. Mom found out that both her parents are working abroad in the Middle East. We didn’t take pictures because we didn’t want to seem like tourists. Someone had died nearby because they had a tarp shade and chairs out and many people had gathered. They were singing a funeral hymn or chant. I wondered what the words meant, whether it had a Christian or pagan meaning. The music was beautiful, sad and peaceful. A troop of boy scouts jogged by us, wearing white shirts and green bandanas. I then admired some wooden houses across the street. It is so rare to see wood instead of concrete due to termites. I wonder when they were built. I would like to have wood in my house. When it is polished, it feels good on your feet and is never so cold as tile. It has such a warm, welcoming color. I looked up and thought about how very blue the sky was.

The pastor replied that he was on his way to pick us up. We rode in his comfortable car along a beautiful road. I think that the road is one of the most beautiful in Mountain Province. It is lined with trees and greenery which I love.

Because we were so late, the pastor asked whether we would be willing to take the narrow shortcut. It was about four-inches wide and ran through a peaceful and beautiful part of Malicong I hadn’t seen. I much prefer the balance-beam path compared to steep stairs. At the end of the path, it was covered with slippery orange clay. Then we used our hands and feet to climb up the stairs cut in the clay hillside.

We girls taught the kids and then went back to the church to listen to the rest of Dad’s Bible overview. At the end, an old woman named Rita asked Jesus to be her lord and was bold enough to come to the front of the church and say so with the help of a friend.

Who knows what will happen this Sunday?

Love,

Adriana

Annalise's Birthday

Annalise's thoughts about her birthday.

Before:	During:
Excitement	Excitment
Joy	Happiness
Wanting to Dance	Joy
It is twindlish	We made hats.
and windlyishus	Made pizza.
It is the most wonderful thing	Open gifts
I played	Made cupcakes
I am having a spa	Ate

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

Whew! Wow! Yikes! Yay! Awwww!

In case, you didn’t understand the title, we had an extremely busy week. We finished school. (Whew!) We went to Baguio (Yikes!) on the same day we celebrated three years of living in the Philippines (Wow!). We heard our friend, Arabelle, sing in the mall, saw her new baby brother, Nathaniel, and went swimming (Wow! Wow! and Yay!). Mom and Dad celebrated their twentieth anniversary. (Awwww!) Now we are back in Bontoc (Yay!) and school started Monday (here we go again). Hopefully, we will able to post more details but I wanted to post this because it has been so long since we last posted.

Love,

Adriana

Mother's Day

I know this is a little late but oh well. I want to wish all the mothers (and those who someday wish to be a mother) HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!!!!! J But the person who I want to thank the most is my Mom. Thank you so much Mom. Here are 7 reasons I love my mom:

1. The first and foremost reason I love my Mom is because she loves me no matter what I do or say. She still loves me even if I yell or stomp my feet.

2. Mommy likes us to spend time as a family. Sometimes after dinner we can play a game or watch a movie. In the afternoon we might go to the market together.

3. Mommy reads aloud to me, she just finished Homer Price.

4. Mommy has homeschooled me all my life. She taught me to read and now I love to read.

5. Mommy plans me wonderful birthday parties for me. Everything goes along with the theme. For example when I was 6, I had a duck party. We did a relay race with flippers on and other duck games. My birthday cake was in a shape of a duck. There was blue punch with ducks floating in it.

6. She is an awesome hair stylist. She can make any hair style imaginable and do it well.

7. She is always happy for a hug or kiss. Even when Mommy is very busy she will stop for a hug or a kiss.

These are only 7 of the many reasons I love my wonderful Mommy!

Love you Mommy,

Alayna

Lang-ay A Little (Okay, A Lot) Late

A girl wearing an abaca fiber shirt waits nervously for

her group's turn to compete in the street dancing contest.

It appears she's not the only one.

Other girls talk while they wait.

An Igorot Princess

(or Obing nga Babae nga Napintas, if my Ilocano is correct)

Street Dancing

Boys in g-strings watching the cultural presentations.

(Don't worry, these tattoos are just ink and will wash off. In the past, the thorns would be used to prick patterns in the skin and ash would be rubbed into the holes. Much more painful.)

The Same Boys After They Saw My Camera

I love Lang-ay! I always enjoy learning about different cultures and Lang-ay and Am-among Festivals with the street dancing and cultural presentations are the perfect opportunities. Unfortunately, we were too late to get a good place to watch the most of the street dancing presentation. Thus, I took many pictures of the spectators. This was good because they were focused on something else and after two and half years of living here I try really hard not to appear like a tourist.

However, having white skin makes that difficult. We were approached by many journalists and we heard that Mom was on TV Patrol. I don't mind so much because it's fun to answer questions.

Sorry, we did not have many street dancing pictures. You can see a video from a previous Lang-ay at my parents' blog or you could comment and ask for more pictures.

Love,

Adriana

Strangers

Sometimes it is hard to remember that we do not live here and we are just passing through. Sometimes we forget all that God did on the cross and only think of colored eggs, chocolate bunnies, and peeps. But do you remember everything that you ate on Easter? Probably not. But most likely you do remember everything that Jesus did for us. The things of this world, sweets, will pass away but what Jesus did on the cross will remain.

Happy Late Easter,

Alayna

Our Perspective

An Easter Story

“My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken away from me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.” The stillness of the Mount of Olives was broken by the urgency of the Man, who was so much more than just a man, in prayer. What was this cup? A cup of betrayal and death for the son of God. Why? Was it because of love?

The Man continues to pray with urgency. Sweat like drops of blood from his brow fell staining his cloak. To add to his sorrow of the Man, He sees friends asleep. He wakes them. He urges them to pray.

Soon the clash of armor breaks the peace of the Mount. Judas Iscariot walks forward. The sorrowful man turns to him saying, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

His friend betrays him. Why would God let that happen?

The Man turns to the crowd, “Who is it you want?”

“Jesus of Nazareth.”

“I am He.”

No one steps forward.

“Who is it you want?”

“Jesus of Nazareth.”

The Man says, “I told you that I am He.”

Peter struck off the ear of the servant of the high priest. The Man rebukes him and heals the servant.

The Man was bound and led to Pilate. Pilate finds him righteous. He sends him to Herod, who also finds him guiltless.

Those who praised Him as king just a week before, sentenced Him to death. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. Why could this happen? Was it for love?

The Man is led to Golgotha and is nailed to the cross. He is to die the most shameful death. Why? Was it for love?

“My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” The cry came from the lips of a Man, forsaken, scourged, jeered at, and betrayed.

He calls for wine. Yet turned away, refusing the pain relieving liquid.

He promises the thief on His left a place in paradise. Why? A thief in paradise? Did the Man love even a thief?

“Into Thy hands I commit my spirit!”

In the unusual darkness of the morning, the Man says, “It is finished.” The Man collapses, dead. The ground quakes and rocks split. People rush away. The curtain in the Holy of Holies is ripped from top to bottom. The Man is dead.

Joseph of Arimathea buries the Man. Then in three days women with spices come to the tomb. The tomb is empty. They spread the news. Two disciples confirm the discovery.

The Man is risen! He has conquered death; all for love.

Myth Busting

The Myth Busting Of the Common Theory That You Can Use Roosters as an Alarm Clock

Procedure: live in a country that has a lot of roosters

Results: After living in the Philippines for 3 years, I can now call my hypothesis a theory. Roosters in Samoki, Bontoc, Mountain Province can be heard crowing at all hours of both night and day.
If any of you have any arguments, I accept after you have visited for awhile.

Alexie