Teacups in the Jungle

Last time we were here I was huge! Last time I was sitting here at our mission base on the island of Palawan, I was 7 months pregnant, and packing up to go to have a baby in Manila. We left with two suitcases, thinking we would have the baby and come right back down to Palawan and then head back home into the village. We left here on July 4th, Independence Day in the States, and just yesterday we unpacked. We returned with more than the two suitcases we left with, and it also happened to be St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland. Not the holiday we thought we would be back on, a lot has happened in our lives between July 2010 and March 2011.  I am constantly reminded that we may make plans, but God is ultimately the one who directs our steps and His plans for our lives are often so different from what we would have chosen for ourselves. It doesn’t usually help to question the reasons of it all, or to try and understand the purposes the Lord has in taking us along roads that we didn’t think we would travel, His ways are higher than our ways, and we can just rest in the perfect pathway He has for our lives, as we walk with Him. God has taught me so much in these past months about trusting Him, I treasure these truths that He works into my heart.  They are more precious than gold, and definitely worth the difficult days along the way, especially in light of eternity. God has been so good to us each step of the journey, and we are so grateful to our Heavenly Father for His grace in our lives. Another Milestone.

So here I sit sweating away, there are fresh mangoes on the table and later we will eat BBQ chicken on a stick, it feels great to be back! In many ways it feels like home, it isn’t the Emerald Isle, but it is another beautiful island with friendly people, and I am so glad that God lead us to this place to share His Word, and to make our home away from home.

Of course being here for the first time with a baby, has turned our life upside down. Danny and I are used to getting around town on his motor bike, not anymore! Our visiting, shopping and working are now around Izzy’s naps. The biggest difference of all is walking around town. Filipinos love babies and everybody stops to talk to Isabela. She has only been here a few days and already we are known just as “Isabela’s mummy and daddy.” She loves the attention, the squeezes the love and so far has not seemed to have noticed that we have traveled across the world, to a new place. If these past days are anything to go by I think she is going to love growing up on Palawan. My one worry is that by the time we return to the US and N.Ireland she will think everybody should be so excited to see her, and she will go home with her head in the clouds. 🙂 I will keep you posted on that one.

First time to sit up!

First time in a swimming suit, and having a cool bath outside!

First time in a jeepney!

First time to fly to Palawan!

….and a few firsts for me too as a new mum. I was surprised to go to the one main grocery store in town and realize that there is NO baby food. In California I had been buying the little handy jars of pears and peaches and green beans and all the rest. So, I guess it is time to head to the market and buy some fresh fruit and vegetables and start mashing! If anybody has any advice on the whole making baby food and what can freeze or not freeze, please pass along what you know and I will put it to use!

Another first for Izzy and I will come this Monday when Danny goes to the tribe for a week and leaves us two behind! We would appreciate your prayers for Danny and his friend Chris as they fix up our house and get the solar power up and running and hopefully fix our fridge! Izzy and I will stay in town and it will be our first week without Daddy around. I will let you know how we all get on, and hopefully it won’t be too exciting!