Padens in the Philippines

Extended Stay Trying to find time alone to update all of you is not an easy task! I'm sitting in the public library right now hoping to get this finished by dinner time, Gilmer is at home taking care of the kiddos :) What a awesome husband who understands that trying to think at home with all the of "Mommy" questions was very difficult. We are currently in Tucson and are planning on staying until the end of May- when the kids get out of school. We decided to stay for an extra 6 months partly because of support, partly because of the kids schooling, and partly because of medical things we wanted to make sure to take care of before heading back. Thankfully everything that needed to be pushed back because of the delay has worked out just fine and we thank God for that. So right now we are in the midst of sharing about our ministry with those interested, speaking in churches and small groups, and making sure that the kids are doing ok in school. Starting a new...

The Life of a Missionary is not for the Faint of Heart... Traveling with 4 kids across the country and back is no easy task!! I'm not going to tell you that it was all smiles and great attitudes; or no crying while on the numerous plane flights; or no spills and messes at our hosts houses. What I am going to tell you is how utterly blessed we were to see the care and love of Gods people for our family while we were there. We can't describe what it means to us to have faith and love by others put into action on our behalf. Let me explain a little bit of what I mean. When we were planning to visit our supporting churches and friends in Florida and North Carolina we didn't really know where to start. How were we going to drag our large family (I think I can safely say large now with 6 of us right?) all over Florida and up to North Carolina? How would we get there? Where would we stay? What would we drive? And maybe most importantly, how are we going to pay for a trip...

Romans 15:1 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Team Philippines! Like our matching shirts we got for our presentations at churches? Good thing the kids are small and are still willing to be matching :) Sorry about being such a delinquent updater! Many of you have been asking us where we are right now. No, we have not disappeared, or on a extended vacation (although that would be nice)! All we can say is that it's been a busy 3 months being home in the Arizona! Finding time alone to work on these things takes, literally, leaving the house for some "working" time. I will again try to update you using pictures, as I think most people enjoy that, versus a long email that many don't have time to read. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we travel during the month of October to Florida and then North Carolina. We still have some monthly support ...

Less than a week to go here in Manila! We have been really blessed the last almost 3 years to have been here in Manila. Saying goodbye is never easy, even though we seem to have a lot of practice at it! We will really miss all of the friends we have made here. Please be praying for our last week. There is so much to finish up and many goodbyes to say. This is the last week of school for the kids and then we fly out on Sunday June 2nd. Also be praying for the flight. Luke is not a good traveler and we have many days of traveling ahead of us! We are a little nervous about the flight ;) We are excited to share that God has provided, through a supporter, a van for us to drive while we are home!!! This is such an encouragement and confirmation for us as we set off to the unknown yet again. We may not know what lays ahead, but we are trusting the One who called us to take care of us- as He always has. Thank you for your prayers for this! I have to keep this short as we are SO busy pa...