I Love Babies . . . Again

If you know me at all, you know that I love babies, the newer the better! Last Monday one of our students gave birth, and I had the joy of being there. Not at the mothers' side, since this one was a Cesarian, but I waited with friends and family and got to be one of the first to see her. It was so much fun! I have had a delightful week holding baby Yana from Vietnam, spending time with her parents Tung and Ruth, and getting to know this family better. If my job consisted of nothing more than this, I would be a very happy lady. I should have been a midwife!

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Beautiful British Columbia

Our son Matthew says Vancouver, British Columbia is the most beautiful city in the world, and we think he may be right. This month we had the unexpected opportunity to travel to Vancouver to speak at the Campus Staff training of Campus Crusade for Christ of Canada. We were there for only 8 days. It's a long way to travel for a short visit, but who could resist an all-expense-paid trip to the most beautiful city in the world?

James gave devotionals from the Gospel of John each morning for all of the staff. I spoke to the young moms, about Delighting in God, and Dealing with Pain and Suffering (topics from my Spiritual Growth class).

James was especially happy to spend time with the Canadian CCC staff. Some of them were his good friends in university 30 years ago. For both of us the real highlight was being with our son Matthew. He is beginning his third year at University of British Columbia.

We're grateful to God for that special treat, and now we're home again.

Shopping in Old Manila

I spent seven hours shopping yesterday with my good friend Michelle in a part of the old city of Manila called Divisoria! It was a wonderful day, mostly because we just enjoy spending time together. Divisoria is such an amazing place. I think you could buy ANYTHING there, from auto parts to fresh fish to wedding dresses.

And no trip to Divisoria is complete without buying a giant shopping bag to bring home your purchases. We didn't buy these fancy ones with Winnie the Pooh, though. We settled for the plain ten peso kind.

We bought fabric, beads, clothes, jewelry, house decor, Chinese medicine, batteries, buttons, gifts, and several other things I can't remember. Oh, yes, fresh lychees!