February Extras

We were privileged to be able to meet up with the Hagens one day when some of their family was here visiting with them. We all drove out together to the top of Lignon Hill to get a great view of Mayon.

We could see a path of fresh lava flow because it was still smoking! (at the foot of the mountain)

Caleb has been taking karate for several weeks now at a local school. Of course, the day we took the camera to take pictures, he was very embarrassed - not because we were taking pictures, but for the first time he had to spar with a GIRL!!!!!

Rain, rain, go away.....

Yes, it is STILL raining in Legazpi!!!

Thankfully, we had a couple of somewhat-sunny days to help dry up some places. But we're still getting rain off and on everyday. I do think (or maybe "hope" is a better word) that we are past the worst of it.

Thank you so much for your prayers. We ended up only having about 8 inches of water in the house, which is WAY better than the last time it flooded. And as Carly pointing out, "At least the water isn't black this time, Mom!" Our prayers were answered and we have much to be thankful for!

Here are a few pictures of our latest flood in the Allen house. (Sorry, I wasn't out and about enough to get any good pictures of downtown. By the time we got out, most of the water had receded.)

The schoolroom - At least we were able to empty the shelves before the water got there!

Caleb decided today that he was tired of waiting for the rain to stop! Life must go on!

News Article

Here's a link to an article from USA Today about our weather situation here:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-02-21-philippines_N.htm

Please pray for all the people affected by this weather, especially those families that have lost loved ones.

Flooded Again!

Here we go again! At least this time it isn't a typhoon. Basically, we are getting the warmer version of the huge storm that hit China a couple of weeks ago. In other words, rain...rain...rain...rain.

At the moment, we have several inches of water downstairs, and we have moved as much as we can upstairs. If the water continues to rise, it will reach the level of the electrical outlets and then we have other issues! PLEASE pray with us for the rain to stop! Our area is so saturated that there's no place for the water to go. The weather reports say we have several more days of rain. If that's the case, I'm not sure what will happen.

We know God's in control of the rain and we are trusting He will stop it soon! Thank you for praying with us.

Home Sweet Home

If there's one word that could describe 2008 so far, it would be TRAVEL!! It seems we have been on the road more than we've been home in the last few weeks. And since most of that time we were on the road we didn't have internet access, I'm quite behind on this blog!

I have lots of great stories and picures and videos to post, and hopefully now that we're home, I can find the time to post them!

Meanwhile, Wade has put together a review of the last year and a half (our time here since returning from furlough) along with some prayer requests for the upcoming year. Here's a link to the pdf format of that update:

http://philmissjo.googlepages.com/2007-12AllenUpdate.pdf

This Sunday, February 24th, is World Missions Day for our organization. This day is the culmination of our 50 Days of Prayer and Giving emphasis. We would like to thank everyone who has participated in the 50 Days. It is such a blessing and encouragement to us personally to know that so many people back home are lifting us up to our Father! It is amazing to watch God at work among the nations and we are so humbled to be a small part of His plan.

Mikayla's Birthday

After leaving Caliraya, we headed back to Manila with the Hagens and Murphys to celebrate Mikayla's 8th birthday.

At the Mall of Asia (MOA) they had these giant letters and so the kids decided to climb on them and pose.

We all went to the new Science Center at MOA. The kids favorite exhibit was the Grossology exhibit. Go figure. Here, they are taking the Grossology quiz. (I think a Murphy boy won. Surprise, surprise!)

The kids check out the Burp-o-Meter.

I don't even think I'll comment on this one!

After the Science Center, we went to Pizza Hut for the birthday lunch!!

Kayla holds the bear from Carly and Caleb.

Not sure what was going on in this picture.

But whatever it was, Ben wanted in on the action!!

Home School Conference - Part Two

Here are a few more shots from our time at the Homeschooling Conference.

The Allens pose with Mr. Steve

This was the view right outside our room.

Carly and Caleb were also able to participate in the Learner's Showcase. On this evening, the students are given time to showcase something they have learned during the school year. It was so neat to watch and listen to all the different things that the kids shared. Carly chose to play the "Surprise Symphony".

Caleb sings "Nutin' for Christmas"

(When we practiced at home, he was so "into" this song. He would act it out and just really ham it up. But once he got on stage, it was a whole different ballgame! I guess he got his first taste of stage fright. We were just proud that he got up and did it. I'm sure the other will come eventually!)

On the last day, the older kids went on an all day "mission trip." They had been preparing all week to go visit a nearby Deaf School and minister to the students there. Before they left, the parents were asked to pray over each of their kids, asking God to protect them as they traveled and to use them in a special way to minister to the Filipino students.

Robert prays for Jamin

Carly and her "team"

(She wasn't very thrilled that she was on a team of all boys!! Just give her a few years, right?)

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the younger kids had a mission of their own. A nearby preschool brought their students to the retreat center and our kids were paired up with a new "friend" for the morning. They played together, sang together and did several other activities with their partner.

This is Caleb with his new friend, Jordon.




Since the older kids were gone for the full day, the younger kids finally got some time on the giant water/mud/soap slide! All I can say is that it was one of the highlights of the week!

This picture says it all!!

A few more pics of Caliraya Re-Creation Center

The older kids returning from their trip

On the last evening, the kids preformed a musical they'd been working on all week.

This is one of Caleb's new friend he made this week.

Carly also made several new friends this week. There was one young lady that Carly became especially close to, but for security reasons, I can't show you their picture. She and her family are living in a Creative Access Nation. Our prayer is that someday we will be able to visit with them again.

Caleb just being Caleb!

This is Caleb's new friend, Lauren. She was on the GVBC team and is a black belt! When she discovered that Caleb was taking karate, she spent a little time helping him with some moves. Thanks, Lauren, for taking time out to work with Caleb!

Carly and her new friend, Autumn.....who happens to live in the Philippines! Yeah!

The GVBC Team

Thanks again, Green Valley. Words cannot express how full our hearts are after spending the week with you guys. You have loved on us, encouraged us and made us feel like royalty! Thank you so much for sacrificing in order to come minister to us and our kids. May God bless you more than you can imagine. I am praying that our paths will cross again someday!

And thank you, Aunt Phala, for a wonderful week and for letting us join in all the fun. It was wonderful to get to know you and all the folks in your company. Thank you for making us feel right at home! You're doing an incredible job and we pray that God will continue to use you in a mighty way as you minister to homeschooling families.

PS......My good friends, Jen and Connie, have also posted pictures on their blog from our week together.

http://sjhagen.blogspot.com/2008/03/home-school-conference.html

http://lifeaccordingtojaminandjesse.blogspot.com/2008/02/our-trip-to-caliraya-resort.html

Valentine's Day 2008

We were able to celebrate Valentine's Day while at the Homeschooling Conference (see previous post). Carly had made this valentine for me the week before - while I was in Hong Kong - and packed it in her suitcase. Once again, my daughter's creativity came shining through!!

How cute is this? A Hershey's kiss valentine card. When I opened the foil cover, there was a message on the inside. One of the best valentines I've ever received!


On the evening of the 14th, the team from Green Valley divided up the adults and kids. Half the team took the kids to one room and put on quite a Valentine's party - or at least those were the reports we received. (Sorry, no pics. I kept the camera with me.) The other half of the team put on a wonderful Valentine's Banquet for the parents. I can't even remember the last time Wade and I went to a Valentine's Banquet, so this was a real treat. They had the tables beautifully set, had romantic music playing in the background, candles burning and then they proceeded to SERVE us!! Such a treat!



Here we pose for a pic with Robert and Connie

The kids were so excited after their party to show us their goodie bags! (Plus, I think they were on a sugar high!!!)

Somehow, I was "crowned" with the table decorations?!

Thank you, Green Valley, for making Valentine's Day very special both for us parents and also for our kiddos. Once again, you guys went above and beyond!