MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

We hope you had a wonderful holiday.  Here at the Ranch, we had a huge party last night complete with a nativity contest, caroling contest, dance contest, and TONS of games!

This morning we gathered together and watched all of the kids open their stockings and presents.  The kids were thrilled with their gifts, and showed them off proudly.  We had a huge lunch of lechon (an entire roasted pig), lasagna, and rice.  Lots of hugs and smiles today!

Last week some of the kids’ families came to visit and bring gifts to their kids.  It was pretty sad to watch a five year old stand at the gate waving goodbye to his visiting brothers and sisters.  But the worst part was watching the kids who knew that no one was coming to visit them.  They didn’t cry or complain, but it still broke my heart.

John spoke at the Christmas party last night, and talked about families.  All of the kids miss their families, especially at Christmas. I know the kids would never have chosen to live here; they would much rather be with their own parents.  But for reasons that we will never understand, these kids aren’t safe with their families. Even though the staff have chosen this life, we all miss our families, too.  But God has given us a gift in each other! He’s made us into a family here at the Ranch.  We made memories this Christmas that we will never forget.  And we are so thankful for that gift!

By the way, speaking of families, our family is growing! Baby number 3 will be here in August!  What an awesome Christmas blessing, huh?!

Big Plans

One of the hardest things about doing missions work is being separated from my family.  Since John and I have been married, I’ve lived about 8 hours’ drive away from my parents.  I used to think that was a long way!  But living literally on the other side of the world, 20+ hours on a plane, 8,500 miles away.... that’s a different story!  Some days I feel trapped here, not because I don’t love living in the Philippines, but just because I know it would take so much time and money simply to give my parents or my sister a hug.  

Last week, my parents came for a visit!  They planned it to be halfway (we’re just about one year into our two-year term).  I was soooo excited!!! I was counting down the weeks and days, planning every minute that we would spend together.  The closer it got to their visit, I actually started dreading them leaving... before they even got here! I think I was afraid that a lot would have changed between us, and that being with them would really make me miss America.  I thought I would be crushed when they left.

But you know, as soon as I saw them and hugged them, I realized, not much had changed!  We picked up right where we had left off, and spent 8 wonderful, fun-filled days together.  When it was time to drop them off at the airport, I only cried a few tears.  I wasn’t crushed!  And I knew I could make it another year here, and we would all be just fine!  

Sitting in church this morning, I looked around and saw all of the kids and staff at the Ranch worshipping God together.  I thought about how one year from now, I will be dreading leaving all of them here.  I know it will be such a sad, tearful day when I hug all of these precious kids good-bye.  I’m already sad just thinking about it!

That’s when I realized I spend way too much time planning the next “big event” and not just enjoying each day as it comes.  All I really need to do is be content with where I am, and who I am with, right now.  Nothing in this life will last.  So I need to enjoy each moment while it is happening, and stop wasting time “planning” for what I think is important.  Because sometimes the most important moments... aren’t planned! :)

Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. Ecclesiastes 3:11-12

There's only one who knows

What's really out there waiting

In all the moments yet to be

And all we need to know

Is he's out there waiting

To Him the future's history

And He has given us

A treasure called right now

And this is the only moment

We can do anything about

So breathe it in and breathe it out

And listen to your heartbeat

There's a wonder in the here and now

It's right there in front of you

I don't want you to miss the miracle of the moment

“Miracle of the Moment”

Steven Curtis Chapman