Sunset...It has been too long!

 It has been over a year since the Philippines went under quarantine. There have been different levels of quarantine, but mostly they are all the same: virtual school, masks/shields, children under 18 and adults over 65 are not supposed to go out, restrictions on alcohol and limited shopping. Last weekend, though, we got a special treat. The manager of one of our favorite resorts messaged us to say we are allowed to visit, we just needed a PCR test. October of 2019 was the last time Ellis put his feet in the sand. His excitement erased all the worry I had about traveling over here. And what a wonderful weekend we had together! I want to hold on to these memories forever!

The name of the resort is appropriately named "Sunset".

Can you hear his laughter? First time in the waves since 2019.

We played many games over the weekend, but this may have been Ellis's sweetest victory. He beat Tony at "D-Ball". 

Just the three of us....almost literally. Only 8 others there with us this weekend. 

Hope to visit again soon!

 Ever feel God tapping on your shoulder? Last year, my Bible app got stuck on Philippians 4:6. It was more like a knock upside the head than a tap on the shoulder when the verse finally kicked in. I don’t know what it is about my Bible app, but it got stuck again this year on a different verse. The verse this year was Joshua 1:9 (Remember I commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid because the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.) For several days, when I opened my app, this is what I read. I felt the tap this time and I snickered, “I hear ya this time.” 

So when the Philippines closed their borders for anyone traveling from the United States until January 15th, I remembered to be strong and brave. Let’s be honest, that wasn’t too hard. We would get extra time with Hannah Grace. When the Philippines extended the closing until February 1st, I wanted to worry about Ellis’s school and Tony’s work, but I took a deep breath and said, “Be strong and brave.” Even when I was diagnosed with Covid on January 25th, I turned to that verse. But when Tony and Ellis drove away on February 4th to catch their flight to Manila, I had to hold on to those words like my life depended on it. I couldn’t hug them and that about did me in. I could only wave good-bye from the balcony. I hadn’t spent time with them since January 25th and if I am honest I can’t be sure when I will see them again. I have a flight for the middle of March and, if it is God’s time, I will be on it to see my boys. In the Fall, I ended up being away from them for 4 months. It wasn’t ideal, but we managed and we will manage this again. So, whether it is one month or 4, I will continue to be strong and brave. 

I pray that you will hear the little whispers from God. It is amazing what a difference those whispers (or knocks on the head) have made in my life!  I am hoping, though, next year my app gets stuck on something a little more uplifting like 1 Thessalonians 5:16 (Rejoice Always!). I mean, can’t we all use a little rejoicing?!

Rejoicing over memories made from a fabulous trip to Highlands in January as a family of four!