I arrived in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, December 20th -- 5:20 PM, EST.
It was a trip that started when I left my apartment on Sunday, December 20th -- 2:30 AM, Manila time.
Yes, that was over 24 hours.
But, the trip went really well so I'm not complaining. :) I got an aisle seat ... with an EMPTY seat next to me for the entire flight from Manila to Nagoya and from Nagoya to Detroit. I landed in Detroit, had a yummy chocolatey treat and then got on my last flight -- where I was seated in first class!!
At the baggage claim of the Tampa Airport were my brother, sister-in-law and nephew waiting for me.
It's been good being here with them -- I've been wrapping presents, watching Christmas movies (yay for Hallmark, ABC Family, Lifetime cheese!!), eating well, sleeping A LOT, playing Trouble and thumb war, and having lots of hugs, kisses, snuggles and tickles.
It's really cold here in Tampa. REALLY cold.
Tomorrow some time my parents and sister should be arriving from Pennsylvania. Praying for good travel for them as they're driving down here. My mom is bringing with her a suitcase of winter clothes. I asked her to pack some stuff for me because on Christmas Day I head to URBANA!!!
YES!! URBANA 09!!!
That's how I got to be here for Christmas.
I'm so excited to be there. URBANA was one of the key experiences that God used to move me closer to getting more involved in the work of Wycliffe and moving me to Asia. I'm looking forward to how God will use the week again -- in the lives of participants that we get to interact with AND in my own life personally.
I've got two more days... then I take off for St. Louis!
Until then... sweet, precious family time celebrating Christmas. So very grateful for this.
When I'm up late and see Channel 2 sign off for the night, I get to see the Christmas season station ID -- the song, Star Ng Pasko. The song points to Jesus being the star of Christmas.
LSS (Last Song Syndrome -- a new term I learned from my friends here... hehehe) --- EVERY time I hear it, it sticks with me the rest of the day. It's a fun and catchy tune so really, I don't mind.
I finally Googled the lyrics -- no, I couldn't catch all the lyrics AND also understand it on my own.
And now that I have, I enjoy the song even more! Remembering that just a few months ago the country was devastated by typhoons, the lyrics take on even greater significance.
I've been enjoying my first Christmas season in the Philippines. This song is one thing I've especially loved!
Now, here for YOU... the Star Ng Pasko video with English subtitles. ENJOY!!!
(In this video you will see the "stars" of ABS-CBN, other celebrities, and "common folks.")
My job isn't the kind of job where I get up from the desk where I've sat for the last 8 hours and see a completed, finished, tangible something. Sometimes at the end of the day I think... what did I actually accomplish??
I think this is why I write lots of "THINGS TO DO" lists with even the tiniest of tasks written down.
Update team calendar. Reply to email. Register for training class.
I do a lot of email writing. Thinking. Reading. Planning. Writing plans. Making timelines.
In my job where I might not see a finished "product" for months, seeing check marks next to even tiny tasks at the end of the day helps me to feel like I've been productive.
Hmmm... so, what HAVE I been doing this week?
- I've been connecting with partners about an upcoming dedication of the first set of Bible stories in ONE of the Sign Languages used here in Asia.
- I reviewed videos that were produced as a result of work we did at the Kinaray-a Bible dedication.
- I worked with our production partner on plans for making some revisions to those videos.
- I helped fulfill some photo requests.
- I worked on making plans for my trip to the States.
- I got my fingerprints done. Hehehe!
- I did some follow up work on some stuff from my trips to South Asia last month.
The week isn't over yet... so, here's to more check marks! Ha!
(I know... I'm so task, performance-oriented!... God's working on that in me!)
