Tea & Sanity

Oh boy, do I need a cup of tea!! Over the years, tea has been a consistent reminder to slow down and sit and chat. It is funny, I have never been a fan of coffee but tea, yes. It has been a relaxing reminder that there is always time to sit and be still and let the tea cool over quiet thoughts or rich conversation when I am with some of my favorite people. Everything will be OK! It has been a common theme  from NJ to PA to SC to Niger to the Philippines. My tea buddies...you know who you are!

A few weeks ago, I was reading a story to the Kindergarten class that I love to visit. Owl, the character in the story was making "tear-water tea"....it struck a cord with me.  I have always been a crier, happy /sad, tears of joy and sorrow spill from my eyes. I have cried and even sobbed over many quiet conversations with Jesus and others over tea. Yesterday, I started a new Beth Moore Bible study with some friends here...mmmmm "Snowy Day Tea" was the choice for me. I honestly can remember multiple cups of Blueberry tea with Karen, Mint tea with Joy, a "proper" cup with Marcia, tea in the country with Beth, Tuareg tea with Julie et all my Nigerien friends, any type of tea with Mo, new tea experiences  with Jocy and certainly many cups with my tea loving husband and the list goes on.... my kids are even tea drinkers, but it is much more than a beverage choice to me. It is a tangible reminder of many precious times. It is time to be "real", it has urged me in some way to be authentic and honest with myself.

One of my favorite tea times was when I had sent my last child to Kindergarten. It is hard, right? The loneliness could be a bit overwhelming. Well, I felt the sweet quiet nudge of Jesus to make time to sit on the swing in the backyard and have tea with Him. It felt a little silly, but it changed my perspective totally. What a gift to sit and talk to Him, looking on to our beautiful yard and hearing the water in the pond, the birds in t he trees. Sweet quiet time just having tea.

I love the gentle reminders to slow down and not let circumstances get the best of me. This past few months have been quite hard, but yesterday, sipping my "snowy day tea" I enjoyed the peace and the sanity of being surrounded with ladies that I love and share life with me, who build me up and who I do not need to see all the time. Times spent with my Mom and Auntie Bren & Hillary. Man, I can not list all of you!! The connectedness is amazing, you know people who you just click with? One of those friends, I only see a few times a year when she is in town, but that has been full of joy. She often brings me this fabulous tea! I am so thankful for friends like her. The nature of our life has us living in two places, intentional  relationship is very important to me. It makes me savor the time spent!

Moving as many times as we have, I feel like I miss out on the really close..."I knew her since preschool" types of relationships, I have a bunch of what I would consider life-long friends. But I do not have a weekly girls night or a standing lunch date.  I do see those people, just not regularly. I have to be super intentional about who I see and when. I am constantly welcoming new friends and saying "see you later" to others. I am thankful for friends that have stuck with me through this crazy life of big and frequent changes. Those who speak those timely words, who pop me quick notes of encouragement, who hear me cry a lot and then laugh a lot, those who can be brutally honest with me.  I am loving this stage of life, yes, many challenges for sure, but sweet tea times  help me reflect and help me slow down and remind me of how rich my life is. I am so thankful for Jesus (who is constant through it all), tea and friends....they keep me in my right mind and bring me joy. Something wonderful indeed.

this.picture

Last week I had the opportunity to get out of the city. Being a country girl at heart this is so refreshing to me. The air is cooler, the colors more vibrant. The roads a bit less crowded. We left early for Buda which is in the Marilog District, about a 2 hour drive. I was driving and therefore do not have many pics of the journey, but here is one that I took during our visit. For some reason I just love it.....

Is it because Google Photos Assistant "stylized it"? Nah, although I do like it. I just think it speaks of a simpler life, slowing down. I only took a short walk around the German Hospital that we were visiting but found other beautiful things.

Slowing down and enjoying the natural world around me is oh so good for me. I go to the gym in our neighborhood a few times a week.  It is open air and the owner has taken care to make it a tranquil place. I like to go when no one else is there. Today, I did not even use my Ipod. I just enjoyed the sounds of the water features, the singing of the birds and my own heavy breathing....ha ha ha. Joking! I was thrilled to see a Kingfisher come and gather something to eat out of a near by tree. He made quite a few trips and I just marveled at his beautiful plumage. What a gift. 

 It is a beautiful place. Many beautiful diverse plants, palm trees out the front. I am not sure how many different species of trees the Philippines has, but there are many! My favorites are the Plumeria. Right in my view, white & pink. We called them Frangapani in Niger where we used to live. They are gorgeous!

I love having reminders to take time to slow down, watch the Kingfisher & smell the plumeria, even hang a bit of laundry. Simple things in life are something wonderful!

Pogo Sticks & Rubic's Cubes

I think it would get easier to clean things out and "let go". Yesterday, we participated in the annual garage sale at FIA, where the kids attend school. I was reminded again, how things are just "things" to others...really 50 pesos for that amazing pogostick?? But to me, these things have such beautiful memories attached to them.  I love the hands that twisted those puzzling cubes, how it was an obsession. I loved watching the kids in the yard maneuvering the pogo stick, the unicycle, listening to Shel Silverstein, the Wild Wacky World of Mr Henry or Jungle Jam and letting imaginations soar.

So fun to watch.  I absolutely love the memories I have and continue to make, so much more to come. I am realizing that cleaning out and lightening our load is not betraying the past. It is a necessity, but still hard for me.

Anticipating the move of yet another child, I consider my feelings and emotions often. While sorely missing one who is already studying in the USA and now another? Seems like too much for my heart to bare to be away from them, but amazingly I am doing more than surviving this. It is fun to see them learn new things, meet new people and experience life. Yet it is hard to see them walk through things that I am certain I could help with, would help with, should help with?? The growing pains of life, heartache and pain mixed with the exhilaration of seeing your child gaining independence. So many of my friends have gone through this and are going through this and will go through this. I am so glad that I am not alone.  All part of life. I am realizing that being a Mom is about pouring your life into your precious children, all to give them wings and see them soar.

I am  enjoying the moments. Enjoying our family at each stage. Loving the silly things teenagers do and love being with friends. Amazing people who may not always physically be a part of lives but they are part of our journey. Instrumental in who we are becoming. Even if the "things" get sold, left behind or forgotten, the people are not! I am so thankful for such a rich journey.  As we have moved a few times, we have significantly cut down on things but not people! They will always be  part of who we are. As you might notice, I have a hard time posting pics of people other than family, I guess it is just impossible for me to choose. As I scroll through the pictures, I have been incredibly blessed by so many people! We have said "see you later" to many, not knowing if we will see them again on this earth. I just want to be mindful to embrace and appreciate all I can now.

Yes, look back and reminisce but do not stay there. Live in the present.  Take time to smell the roses.

Yes, considering the past and the future  but trying not to miss NOW. Such a delicate balance, this is so  helpful putting my thoughts down into words. Ups and downs. As my family knows, I can be a fanatic when it comes to taking pictures. I just need to have them, they help me capture the moments. For later!  Right now, as I travel along in this beautiful life, I am savoring the memories and grabbing the now times and looking forward to the future. What a rewarding choice.

I am finding that this balance is a beautiful thing. Family, friends, places & things...Rubic's cubes & pogosticks. I will enjoy them all. All part of my
life. Something quite wonderful.

The Power of "Hello"

photo taken by Marlene Bray

Whenever Norhaia is in the Physical Therapy room, it is always a little brighter. As soon as I enter the room, I am greeted with an enthusiastic "hello". I immediately head for Norhaia to collect my hug and kiss. My heart swells with love and pride. A girly girl who loves dresses,  sparkly shoes,  jewelry but most of all people. She invites you right into her world, so lovingly making you feel so special with her attention. Watching her interact with the other patients and therapists is a treat. What a hard worker she is! She diligently works on the functions that I take for granted. Holding her head up straight, sitting, standing, walking, using her hands. The list goes on...... I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank God for this precious gift! Her life is to be celebrated as she brightens the world with her "hello" and a smile. That is something quite wonderful!!

60

I did it!

No that was not it, maybe this?

or this?

No seriously, today, I completed lesson #60 of Cebuano/ Bisayan language study here in the Philippines! I was a little embarrassed to post this as I have been at this a loooooonnnng time. About 3 years?? Ha ha ha. Actually I have taken times off but always had the goal to finish the program. Some lessons took several weeks and some lessons were filled with laughter and lots of cultural lessons. I had two partners during my studies.

First was Janessa, our trusty intern who was with us a little less than a year and a half

but the greater part was spent with my friend, Mars...

.

Am I fluent?? HA HA. Do I understand much of what I hear? Hmmmm, alot with some gaps??! But there are so many languages that people flow in and out of here that I would have to stay a really long time to hash all of that out! I chose Cebuano/ Bisayan because many of patients speak it. It  is not the national language, Tagalog but I do feel that it communicates love, care & comfort. Although sometimes frustrating and humiliating, it often provides comic relief and keeps things light. I am just feeling very accomplished today. Rejoice with me?

One lament? I will miss the language/ culture expert, BeBe Metillo! Gwapa s'ya...sulod ug sa gawas! Elle est incroyable....ooops I mean... Kahibulongan s'ya! (is that right BeBe?)

She is a superstar and a trusted friend. I recommend her to anyone wanting to study. She tried to pitch her Tagalog course next.....need a break for a while! But for now at least Mars understands me.....I think?

I still revert to french in strange or uncomfortable cultural situations....Parlez vous Francais? Je ne comprende pas! Desole....... Oi Vay!! My brain must be in knots? BeBe says it is all in there and says it will just start coming out, WATCH OUT! I just need to try more and not worry about perfection. Believe me, it is far from perfect! Language and culture something wonderful. Today I am thankful for so many wonderful things, friends who stick with things and help me to do the same, dedicated teachers, perseverance & chances to push limits. Salamat kaayo!!

Switchfoot

REALLY, I am not a "fan girl" but I sure love the band, Switchfoot. 

So when they sent two of their band members to the Tebow CURE Hospital last year, I was thrilled. Felt like dancing like this......

Our whole family has listened to Switchfoot's music for years. The group was founded in 1996, just before our first boy, Drew, was born!  He turned 20, just last week! We (probably D & I get most excited) love when they announce a new release and can't wait to hear. It is not just the music that we are drawn to, it is the authenticity of their message. They are able to get us thinking. "Dare You to Move", "Meant to Live", "Stars" and "Float" are among my favorites. I never in a million years thought that I would ever meet them ALL. Well, just yesterday, they traveled down to Davao City after their concert in Manila. Only thing missing? Drew!

They came specifically to meet some children and see what Cure International does here in the Philippines. What an amazing day. It was like hanging out with dear old friends.  

I celebrated a birthday almost two weeks ago. Birthdays encourage me to reflect on the past and get me thinking about what is coming. Many of Switchfoot's songs get me thinking and have postured me to get where I am today. My future is so bright and it is wonderful. I am thankful for thoughtful music that inspires me to do great things. What an exciting event to have two of my favorites collide...Switchfoot & CURE.  So thrilled to have them learning about our mission and wanting to partner with us! Seeing them touched by our patient's stories, meeting our staff, playing & praying with kids really touched me. So many wonderful things....partnership, CURE International, Switchfoot & like minded/ hearted friends!

Seasons

Ugh, I just noticed the other day that it has almost been an entire  year since my last post! Life seems to be flying by at a break neck pace. Thinking over this past year, there have been the great, the good the bad and the sometimes ugly times. Some are just moments and other seem like whole seasons.  Hmmmm, I think I will just see if I can get back to blogging for my own sake. Thinking this may be cathartic.

I just got thinking about seasons  the other day. It is something, in nature, that I really miss living here in the Philippines. Living in Pennsylvania most of my life, I did not realize how much I love the change of seasons. I know I have people complained about snow, the humid month of August, perhaps spring that may be too rainy....believe me, I have had my gripes with the icy roads too...freezing rain,  But I love it. especially the change of the leaves in autumn, the smell of honeysuckle, new life after a cold winter and they list goes on and on.

Living abroad these past 7 years, I have grown to appreciate the subtle changes in temps and the lovely rain on the roof, beautiful leaves that change color, bougainvillea, palm trees everywhere and seasonal fruits. The Christmas season seems especially hard for me. Really though, here it is an "over the top" holiday with plenty of festivities, beautiful decorations, carolers and cheer. To me, it is just not the same away from family and when it is 85 degrees plus. It has been 4 years since we enjoyed a holiday in Pennsylvania. It was so funny to see that the "kids" could play in just a dusting of snow and loved trying to walk in it in bare feet. Ice skating was a delight and brought back great memories. Boy, I do not remember winter being so cold!  Go to the other side of the planet and it is about the opposite. Our weather here in Davao City does not really fluctuate much. Pretty hot and sticky....one morning our thermometer read 79 degrees Fahrenheit and 97% humidity. This past few weeks have been such a gift. Overcast skies with cooler temps and a good bit of rain.

The other morning I was leaving our house for my morning walk around 5:15AM and man did it ever feel like autumn. It had rained in the night and the humidity seemed a bit lower and it had been windy leaving plenty of leaves in front of our carport. There were earthworms all over the road. It amazes me how quickly the feeling of the wind on my skin and a certain scent in the air can take me right back to the days of my youth. I do a lot of reminiscing these days. My kids are growing up and it seems like the season do not pertain to weather so much anymore, especially living here. D has been gone 2 years and now B knows he will be out of the house next year. I have done some crying,  lots of praying and reading about how to tackle these feelings and how to really embrace and enjoy these new seasons. I can honestly say life is so very good and it thrills me to see my kids flying!

So, I find that some days resemble a nice spring day when the birds are singing and all is well. You just feel like nothing can touch you and you would love to shout from the roof tops how great things are. Other days feel like the deep dark wintry days when you just  need a snow day. To hunker down by the fire consuming large amount of hot coco. You just want to hide inside. Other days, I am so hot I think I will blow up while rainy days seem so soothing. My point is, I am sure I am not alone in the changing of seasons. You have them no matter the weather and thanks to God's grace you can weather the storms and  you can praise him for the sun too! There is purpose in each one.  You can't skip t he parts you do not like and you can not control them. I find that I am continually being challenged and my reaction is my choice to make. Sometimes, I screw up royally and others I pass with flying colors. I am so thankful for seasons, both natural, emotional and spiritual. They are something wonderful and part of this wild ride I am on.