A Renewed Perspective on Christmas

This last week and a half my kids and I have been reading the book The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson, and it's been such a fun book. The kids love it and it has lead to some great conversations. It's a story about the Herdmans, who are terrible no good kids and are always causing trouble around the town. Well through a turn of events the Herdmans wind up being cast for the major roles in the annual Christmas pageant and everyone is preparing themselves for the worst.
As I was reading the last chapter this afternoon with my class I was overwhelmed with the message of the book. My sweet fourth graders watched as my eyes teared up and we talked about the impact of this little event, which seemed so insignificant and looked like nothing special.
I just wanted to quote a bit of the last chapter, I felt it was a perfect illustration of what I've been thinking about the last few days.

"It suddenly occurred to me that this was just the way it must have been for the real Holy Family, stuck away in a barn by people who didn't care what happened to them. They couldn't have been very neat and tidy either, but more like this Mary and Joseph (Imogene's veil was cockeyed as usual, and Ralph's hair stuck out all around his ears). Imogene had the baby doll but she wasn't carrying it the way she was supposed to, craddled in her arms. She had it slung up over her shoulder, and before she put it in the manger she thumped it twice on the back.
I heard Alice gasp and she poked me. 'I don't think it's very nice to burp the baby Jesus,' she whispered, 'as if he had colic.' Then she poked me again. 'Do you suppose he could have had colic?'
I said. 'I don't know why not,' and I didn't. He could have had colic, or been fussy, or hungry like any other baby. After all, that was the whole point of Jesus- that he didn't come down on a cloud like something out of 'Amazing Comics', but that he was born and lived...a real person."

The story goes on, and it's obvious that the Herdman's have learned the true meaning of Christmas.
This Christmas season I have been thinking alot about how I got here in the Phils, and what had led me to move across the world, away from everyone I love. This small event, which seems so unimportant has had such an impact on our lives. Mary and Joseph were so young, and being forced away from their home, only to be put into a stable or cave when there wasn't any room, and with the knowledge that they were not only raising their first son, but the Messiah, their Savior.
Sometimes I think, why did God have them move so far away from home? Why was it important that He be born in a dirty animal house? But this just shows the humble beginning of a man who was fully God but gave his life for us so that we might live.
This holiday I am having a small humble Christmas (unfortunately not by choice) but none the less it has pushed me to realize the immensity of the gift that we have been given. Emmanual: God is with us, no matter how and where I celebrate the birth of Jesus, He is with me. I am comforted by this fact, that even when I feel so alone and there's no family around He is with me. Emmanuel.

~Merry Christmas~

Love, meg

Thankful even when its hard.

Listening to Christmas music, watching holiday movies, eating way too much food and staying up way too late with friends come to me this time as another reminder of how far away I am from home. My wonderful room-mate and friend is leaving for the UK, my sister is going home without me, and time goes on back in Seattle. There are moments when I find myself feeling so homesick, and wishing I could celebrate this wonderful time of the year with those who I love most.

But then again God has blessed me so much this year, and I can't help but think of all the things that He has blessed me with.

1. A wonderful friend for a room mate. I would not have met her any other way, but she has become a dear friend and even though I will miss her. God has allowed me to meet another sister in Christ and I have learned so much from her. She is a wonderful woman of God, and I am so thankful that God has put her into my life.

2. For the past few months I have been having back pains, sometimes to the point where I feel nauseous. However every morning I wake up and there isn't any pain I am reminded of what a blessing our health is.

3. Today I was feeling homesick, and when I came down to the office the secretary greeted me with a huge smile and said, "Meg, your box has arrived!" when I opened it I was reminded of all those who love and are supporting me back home! I am so thankful for all those who keep me in their prayers.

4. The friends here I have made. We have become family. I miss being part of a family, having a mom and dad to go to with whatever (and that are in the same time zone). But God has blessed me with some really great friends who look out for each other. We have gone on some crazy adventures.

Not sure if anyone reads these things, but I just wanted to write of the joy I am filled with, even when there doesn't seem to be a lot to be happy about. James 1:2-8 says, " consider it pure joy my dear brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish it's work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord."
Lord thank you for the reminder that I am to come to you when times are good, and when they are hard. Help me never to doubt you. You are an awesome God and thankful for the reminder today to be thankful and filled with joy, even when I am not the "happiest" about my circumstances.

My Recent Adventures...

Life has gotten really busy, and therefore I haven't had time to update the blog. The school semester is wrapping up so that means finishing up projects, closing units, and writing report cards. However I have found time to explore the Philippines a little more.

I feel like everytime we leave the valley we have to prepare ourselves for an adventure. My most recent adventure was to find the volcano Taal, which has been named the smallest active volcano in the world. Since the Phils kind of lacks in the street signs, it was interesting trying to navigate our way there. Everytime we venture out to find a new place God teaches me a little more about patience and flexibility.

When we got to Taal we had the option of taking horses, but trying to save money and exerience all that we can we hiked our way up the rainy mountain side. What an amazing view! During these times I am reminded of what a beautiful country this is.

The group I hiked with.

Ruth and I were happy to make it to the top!

The Harbor where we took off from.

Taal Volcano, the smallest active volcano in all its glory.

This last weekend Ruth and I went to go help out at a local orphanage. It was an experienced filled with so many different feelings. The kids were amazing and yet it was obvious that they had so much baggage already. There was one baby who cried anytime I touched her, and yet she didn't want to be alone. There were numerous kids with slight physical defects, and all of the kids were starved for attention. Anytime I gave one kid a piggy back or tickled someone another one would want the same done and start crying, an overwhelming experience believe me.

I can't help but think what is God's plan for these kids. How does He plan to use them? They have been blessed to be given to a Christian orphanage, but will they ever truly know God's love? They were born into such horrible circumstances. I can't help but pray for these kids and hope for the best. It has been said that there may be up to 250,000 street kids in the Philippines. for me when I see that number it's hard to imagine that each one has a name, they are not lost in God's eyes. Please join me in prayer for these little ones. My heart can't help but to break for them. God has a plan for each and every one of them. Pray that he would bring someone into their lives that would share the gospel and introduce them to the Father in heaven who has invited them to be part of His eternal family.

Some of the little girls, never could figure out their names.

This little girl we called little strange. She walked and looked so much like my japanese grandma! So funny!

This is my grandma's face! I can't believe how much she reminded me of fumiko!

This little guy wasn't an orphan, he belonged to one of the workers, but he was just so dang cute!

As you can see no matter how long I live here I remain as white as the wall! haha but everytime the kids sat on my lap they pinched my skin, rubbed my white knees, and stroked my blonde hair. it never gets old.