When the kids were little and potty training in the Philippines, I remember we used to bring one of those potty training potties with us whenever we went anywhere. One of my worst nightmares was the kids having to use the bathroom when we were out and about because there just weren’t any to use…or any that we wanted to use.
At that age, your time as parents is consumed with watching them – making sure they don’t get hurt or put something horrible in their mouths, helping them with all the little and the big things. I am happy to report that our kids are long past that stage and not in need of our help with much at all, let alone using the bathroom.
But we still watch them. This trip back to the Philippines was more beautiful than I could ever describe, and one of the most beautiful things of all was watching our kids soak it in. We watched them be completely at home in a country and culture that isn’t theirs. We watched them remember people and things and recall some of their most favorite memories. We watched them understand in a new and deeper way all that they were a part of in the Philippines and are still a part of even in Arizona. We watched them ponder over whether or not this is something they want to be a part of in the future…a resounding “YES!”
Of course, we don’t know what the future will bring for our kids or for any of us. But in this moment, all five of us are overwhelmed with gratefulness that this is what we are a part of right now.
It would take way too many emails to tell you of all the things God did for us on this trip and all that we got to see and do but nobody wants that!
So, suffice it to say that this trip was better than we could have imagined. We had sweet reunions with people we love so much and have missed dearly.
And we got to watch the Banwaon church hold God’s Word, the complete New Testament in their hands, and read it out loud, for the very first time. Whew. THIS is what we want to be about. It’s worth it.
We hope you enjoy some of our favorites from our trip through these photos. Thank you to those who helped make it happen and thank you for praying. We are so grateful.