So far...

We made it! I have a lot that I want to say, and not a ton of time, so here is the condensed version
(be warned, it doesn't flow together, just random thoughts!):

This country is a big mix of everything! We can drive by huge, 4 story shopping malls with hundreds of stores, next door to "squatter villages", the slums where thousands of people build tiny dwellings right on top or each other.  American girls, we all want to be tan, so we buy lotion that slowly darkens our skin.  Well, yesterday, I found a whole aisle of "lightening lotion" for Filipino women! McDonald's serves spaghetti and rice with almost everything, and a large drink is the size of a medium U.S. drink. There are cows, dogs, chickens, and goats EVERYWHERE! No line integrity at a store or lane integrity when driving (it's like playing a giant game of "chicken").

It is beautiful here!!! Huge palm trees, banana trees, green is everywhere. The China Sea is not far from us, and you can see other islands when driving across the bridges.  There are lots of mountains, too!

The people are GREAT! Clara has already made fast friends with Sarah, who works at HHCR. Clara is about 3/4 of her height, and Sarah is 35! : )  It is polite to take off your shoes when entering a building. Well, my size 10 shoes are easy to recognize in the line-up with the other size 5 shoes! Everyone sings here, all the time. I LOVE IT!

Yesterday, we went to see the kids for the first time. Of course, I cried as soon as I walked in! Then they welcomed us with an interperative dance, a comedic dance, a drama, a story, and a song, "Welcome to the Family". They prayed for us too! John was crying by the end of that!!

So, basically, things are way different and will take some getting used to, but it is wonderful and I know we will love it! Ok, more complete thoughts later!!

Next stop: Cebu City!

Tomorrow is the big day! We will leave my parents' house at 11:30 and be at the airport at noon. Here is our flight itinerary:
2:55pm-- Memphis to Dallas
6:40pm-- Dallas to LA
10:20pm-- LA to Hong Kong
9:05am-- Hong Kong to Cebu City
We will arrive in Cebu at 11:45am on December 14, so we will kind of miss out on Monday, the 13, altogether!

Please pray for our children to SLEEP A LOT during the flight, haha! Seriously, we are praying for smooth connecting flights and calm, quiet children.

Our parents have been so wonderful, providing meals, creating memories, and arranging get-togethers so that we could tell our friends goodbye! Thank you, Mom & Dad and Arvin & Linda! My sister, Mindy, got matching rings for my mom, myself, and Mindy to wear. Thanks, Min! I love you! John's brothers and sister-in-law took us out for a fun night of bowling. Thank you, Steven, Sandra, and Daniel! Also, before we left Johnson City, Disover Life Church showered us with love and
appreciation. And the Torres and Davis families fed us a great meal!

We have felt so much love and support from so many people. THANK YOU!! We love you all back! We'll catch up with you in a few days from the other side of the world!