DC makes my tummy happy...

by Frances

Yesterday we hung out with kuya RC and went to the Air and Space Museum, in Virginia. We forgot our camera but kuya RC brought his wonderful SLR, so I have to wait to post those. Kuya RC took us to Cracker Barrel ( I think that is the name of the restaurant) and it was oh sooooo good! PJ got his infamous country fried steak, and I got the grilled cat fish, and it was great.

Today we went to lunch with Tito Boy and his wife at a Thai restaurant in Chinatown, which was very good. Elijah stole my lemon from the cranberry drink and began eating it, but as he ate it, he would shake and put on a sour face, which made me laugh. After lunch we met up with Ica, Joanne, and tita Carol, and headed to the Holocaust Museum. It was very sad and brought me back to the reality of evil. PJ was very moved with the walk through freight train, that transported the Jews to the concentration camps, but many didn’t make it because of the awful conditions. I was moved by the exhibit of how the Nazi’s planned and killed mentally handicapped children. We both thought this museum was better than L.A.’s.

Elijah makes PJ and I laugh because when we are in the car, he often holds up something (sippy cup, snacks, etc) when he doesn’t want it and shouts until we turn around to grab it from his hand…why doesn’t he just put it down somewhere, or throw it? Nobody knows, but we enjoy the angry grunts

***stay tuned for pictures

DC is full of sights all around

By Frances

Today we walked all around town! We first went to the Supreme Court and took a couple of shoots. We walked down the the Capitol and then to the Natural History Museum which was great. I would love to go there again and see the entire museum. We watched Lions 3-D: Roar of the Kalahari in the IMAX, it was was my first time and Elijah’s. Elijah enjoyed it and clapped every time the elephants made their trumpet sound; although, he jumped every time the lions roared.

We headed towards our car and allowed Elijah to nap before we headed to our friends home and ate a scrumptious meal. They have a darling 5 month baby, Andy, that smiles every time you look at him. After dinner, we literally crossed the street to go to Bible study at Capitol Hill Baptist Church (Mark Dever is the senior pastor there). A fulfilling day, thank you Lord.

Little Elijah on the Supreme Court steps.

Elijah imitating the giraffe

DC is fun in the sun...

by Frances

We woke up very late, because Elijah and I were very tired. Today we saw the Lincoln memorial, what a beautiful sight! We also went to Georgetown University, a very old school with a lot of wonderful history. We hung out and ate in Georgetown. Tomorrow will be our next endeavor…how fun! Here are some pictures of us gallivanting around D.C

Elijah and Abba hanging around town

We look like the Beatles on Abby Road J

Elijah liked the little horse. He looks like Paul Revere.

In Georgetown

At the Lincoln Memorial with the Washington Monument in the background (the pointy thing), and the White House is behind that.

With Honest Abe…the sculpture was meant to portray Lincoln’s power and gentleness.

Elijah said he wants to be like Honest Abe

Waiting...

By PJ

It will be about 8 hours until I see my lovely wife and son again (if the Lord wants). Being away from them increased my appreciation for them. I miss them and can’t wait for them to fly in. I pray they are safe. It’s 2:30 AM here in D.C. (I’m in Washington D.C. for the 9Marks Weekender)

My haiku:

I miss your great smile

What adventures will we know?

See you in a while.

Having a Mom with Cancer

By Frances

Not a curse but a gift.

Piper wrote an article called “Don’t Waste Your Cancer” when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. It is sort of a spin off his book, “Don’t Waste Your Life” and really his view of life and how Jesus is so absolutely vital to ones life.

I can’t remember the date, but I was expecting my mother to call me with the results. She did. I felt like it would be bad news. The phone rang, I answered, and she spoke. She said that the doctor found cancer…again. She had cancer back in 2003 or 2004. Her voice was shaky, she said several things, and then she said “I need you…” even as I write these my eyes tear up. She said she needed my encouragement and for me to point her to God. I love her dearly. I directed her to God by referring to Psalms 73, and asked if she could read it. I explained the context of the text, how the psalmist expresses his feelings of seeing the reality of the wicked prospering and the righteous suffering. We hung up, and I cried. I felt guilty. The previous cancer I had recommended to her that she don’t do a mastectomy because often times it is not needed. I studied this in my biology class in school, at the time I was getting my degree in Biological Science. My mom listens to my advice a lot, so I felt it was my fault she had a recurrence because of my recommendation. I felt awful. I called PJ, and told him the news; he heard my pain and rushed home.

It’s been about 4 months, and she has had a mastectomy, and is undergoing chemotherapy. The side effects of the chemo are viewable. She is losing her hair, thin, and feels noxious the day of and after chemo day. Often people ask me how she is doing; oddly enough she is doing well! She began reading “Heaven” by Randy Alcorn when she first found out, and that has helped her to think of her cancer in light of eternity and being with her lovely Savior. She often talks about Heaven and the blessing it has been, and the reality of it. She still takes care of grandma, I have often made myself available to help with grandma, and I have, but she likes spending time alone with her, which is good for both of them. She drives around everywhere and loves visiting Elijah and other beloved family members. Although, she shouldn’t, and I wouldn’t let her drive off, too far.

She has grown a lot since the cancer and even before it. She began growing in leap and bounds last year. Her sins she was use to, she is now fighting to glorify God. Many people will have their own critiques of others when it comes to holiness, but I have seen my mother grow in obedience to what she knows God says in his Word. I am blessed and love her. We are both imperfect sinners, and I love how we both have to bend the knee to King Jesus.

Boots

We are proud of you…

Elijah says hi and misses you a lot. He laughs and smiles at your voice over the phone. He will remember you, don’t worry!

Hope all is well brother, you are in our prayers.

Michael Buble

I’m just to far, from where you are, and I want to go home...

This particular song makes me think of PJ in the Philippines back in February. We had the pleasure of listening to Michael Buble at the Greek Theatre on Wednesday August 22nd. He is a great entertainer, his Franky Baby type of voice, has your attention, and his comedy makes it even more enjoyable!

I praise God for allowing Michael Buble to have an awesome voice and yet not be struck dead as he sings Me & Mrs. Jones, and jokingly say (maybe not) to the audience that Mrs. Jones, is his kind of woman. I felt sad when he said that, and even more sad as the audience woman clapped and encouraged that kind of adulterously thinking. I also thank God for allowing my lovely husband to surprise me with tickets and with his new CD, although I ruined both the surprises…I felt terrible, but just his effort and love for me to take me and making me feel special.

We had a few trials on the way there and at the concert. One way the Lord tried us, was not having enough cash to pay for parking. We were gonna barely make the show at 8pm, and as we reach the top, after being in traffic going up to the Greek Theatre, we find we are short 5 dollars! So we had to turn back around and go to the ATM at the gas station. We were both tempted to be irritated, and PJ sad because he should have known, and felt bad because I was sad. We talked about not wanting to give into sin and be sensitive to what God was showing us. As we parked way out in the woods, we walked down to the street, and I remembered I forgot the tickets in the car, PJ had to run all the way to the car and back . Poor hubby. We missed the opening act, but not a problem, because we wanted to not miss Buble.

We had a great time and kept talking about planting a church in Los Feliz where churches are scarce (an area where new young career people are planting themselves, because Hollywood is too expensive), which is near the Greek.

A great date night.