Adjusting

Greetings! I am writing from my kitchen table in very hot, sunny Davao City....Promise and I made it back safely without any major issues. :)

After the incredible miracles God performed while Promise and I were in Oregon, I was certain that our flights home would be covered in the grace and mercies of God.....and they were. Despite all flights being insanely full, I managed to bargain my way into getting Promise her own seat....and her own meals. However, she screamed most of the way from Portland to Tokyo with 2 hours of interrupted sleep in between. After a wonderful sponge bath in the Tokyo handicap bathroom, Promise and I headed to our 5-6 hour flight out of Tokyo to Manila....we sat next to a little old lady who was gracious enough to let us out 3 times to pee and get diapered. :)

We were so blessed when we arrived in Manila because immigration was speedy and though it was after 10 pm, Promise was still coping. We managed to get out into the humid air 30 minutes earlier than expected and we were overwhelmingly blessed when we saw Christina (Tim's mom) in the distance looking around for us. :) We ran to her and got BIG hugs. She had ordered us a van from her hotel and put us up in a wonderful room for the night. We were greeted by the Philippines Impact Nations team and my dear friend, Danielle, even gave me some of her halo-halo. :) Exhausted, we lumbered up to our room and Christina watched the Bird while I showered. By midnight, I was almost in tears from exhaustion...I tried to get Promise to go to sleep....she wasn't taking the bait. By 2 am, I was crying and Promise was wailing...I was sure everyone in the hotel was thinking that I was beating my child or something. I put on some soft worship music from my computer, gave Promise some infant Motrin and rocked her until she dozed off...only to wake up again at 5 am. Poor baby.

But Friday morning held a wonderful reunion. Steve, Christina, Promise and I boarded a plane bound for Davao to see Tim. They let me run ahead while they got the luggage from the baggage claim....I ran outside to see Tim in tears and Promise very sleepily say, "Daddy!". She leaned into his chest and rested. It was sweet. I cried, too.

While I was so grateful to have my hubby back, I couldn't help but feel an aching sense of doom. I didn't want to be in Davao. I wanted to be in Oregon still. Feeling my purpose for this season unclear and daunted by the overwhelming feelings of exhaustion and the responsibility to "DO" again, I started to withdraw.

This week has been very hard. We've had several earthquakes, power outages, water shortages, extreme heat and that doesn't include my questionable attitude and sheer exhaustion. I am sure that being pregnant is not helping...though I am so thankful to be healthy and strong for this little baby boy.

Promise is adjusting okay to all the changes again. She is finally in her own room (PRAISE GOD!) and is no longer breastfeeding! YEAH!!! During the day, the heat gets to her and she is getting eaten again by mosquitoes. She struggles with jetlag still, but is doing great at sleeping through the night. The many Dora the Explorer dolls help. :) She and her daddy are two peas in a pod and are enjoying every moment together despite her terrible crabbiness. In all honesty, this little girl has been through a lot and for what she has endured, I'd say she is pretty amazing and fantastic. She is handling it better than I could ever ask....and she is cute, too.

This week has been filled with visits, trips out and about with Steve and Christina and bacon. Yes, I have bought bacon nearly everyday this week. It's hard to come by here because it's pretty expensive....but my preggo body is craving it like water.

Tim and I were also blessed this week as Steve and Christina bought us a package deal at a very beautiful hotel here in town....they have a pool, several restaurants, air con and gorgeous rooms! This week, they are watching the Bird for a FULL 24 hours, so Tim and I can enjoy a day of rest together away from the stressors of home....and from water shortages, heat, and power outages. :) I am TERRIBLY excited. I wish it were Thursday right now.....one more day and Tim and I get to be in "honeymoon" mode for 24 hours. LOVE IT. The last time we did something like this was Valentines' Day 5 years ago!

So, I suppose that's the quick update version....no news on the results of the NARM exam. My ultrasound results came back showing a perfect little baby boy situated in a perfectly healthy womb. God is so good. His little kicks remind me of my Father's faithfulness again and again.

My parents in Oregon have been so encouraging as I have been transitioning back here...their prayers are certainly making a difference. I miss them.

Tim will update soon on all the crazy and awesome goings-on here. Cool stuff. I am so proud of him.

Be blessed.