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

News By Annalise

Hi, I'm Annalise Joy.
I'm 8 years old now.
I'm in 3rd grade.
I like playing with my pet shop toys.

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