Thanksgiving in the Philippines

by Salem

It is Sunday afternoon on Thanksgiving weekend.  Normally our family would have spent the past several days with family, eaten way to much, watched/slept through some football games, played a little touch football, maybe done some shopping, and decorated our Christmas tree.

But this year, of course, has been different.  So what did our American Thanksgiving look like in the Philippines?  Well, first of all even though the calendar says it's the end of November - our brains are having a hard time believing it as we are still wearing shorts and t-shirts and sitting in front of the fan whenever possible.  So, to get into the spirit of the holiday last weekend we had all the MKs (missionary kids) from our missions organization come to our house to make a few holiday crafts.  The kids had a great time and were so creative in making Indian headbands, Thanksgiving placemats, and a "I'm Thankful For" tree.  Afterwards I realized that my kids were the only ones in the bunch who have had any experience with Thanksgiving in the States.  The others have either grown up in the Philippines or Canada.

Thanksgiving week was very busy - but not with my traditional holiday preparations.  Instead, I worked three shifts in the clinic and birth room and had many other duties with our organization.  When Thanksgiving day came around, several of the missionary families decided to take the kids fishing on one of the nearby islands.  From what I hear, a grand time was had by all - I had night shift the night before, so I spent the morning sleeping peacefully in a nice, quiet house.

Thursday evening, we were invited by several of the single girls to join them in celebrating an evening of thanks.  About 40 of us piled into their house and enjoyed quite a feast - complete with 13 pies - but missing the turkey, as they are hard to come by in these parts.

Friday morning we spent some time on Skype with our families, and then Nolan and I ran to the mall before my shift to purchase a Christmas tree....you can hold your breath for pictures of that one - since nothing in our lives is "traditional" at this point, neither is our tree.  Anyway, I guess you could say we did a little shopping - but there were no Black Friday sales here.  After that quick excursion it was back to the birth room for me.

Saturday evening all the families from our organization got together for one more celebration.  More delicious food and nice company was enjoyed.  I brought my Aunt Celia's famous sweet potato casserole - I thought you might be interested to see the closest things to sweet potatoes in the Philippines are camote potatoes - they turn purple when boiled.  It was a little odd eating purple sweet potatoes - but they were still good!

I thought it was really funny when all the women ended up at one table and the men at another.  I think the men may have planned it so they could avoid all the "birth" talk that goes with a bunch of midwives getting together.  We also started a new Thanksgiving tradition - bobbing for apples - I've never done that before - it was quite fun!

This battle ended in a photo finish!

Today Nolan and the kids are at our regular Sunday afternoon outing with a large group of missionaries who get together to play volleyball, ultimate frisbee, and visit.  Unfortunately all the celebrating this week means I'm behind on a few important things so I've opted to stay home and "be responsible".

So, all in all, our weekend was very enjoyable although it definitely looked a little different than in years past.  But, like in years gone by, I still have so many things to be thankful for that I'm overwhelmed when I begin to count my blessings!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend - wherever you are and however you spent it!  Blessings to you all!

Benjamin Turns 4!

This last week, our Benjamin turned 4!  I can't believe how he has grown these last several years.  If you came with us on a typical day here in Davao, you would witness many of the locals calling out his name in shopping malls, the market, and around our neighborhood.  Somehow, he always finds his way into pictures - showing off his dimples as part of his killer smile, striking up a conversation with locals, and being just his lovable self.  We have noticed that if we go somewhere without Benjamin by our side, the locals will ask us where Benjamin is.  At first, I was a little guarded, because I have no clue who these people are, yet they know my son's name.  However, after a little time, I realized that everyone in this mall knows my kid.  How much more secure can I get?  I'm not at the point yet to drop him off at the mall to go run errands for me, but it gives me a good feeling to know we are being watched and people are looking out for us.  Therefore, we let him be his lovable self.

Benjamin had a blast at his birthday party!  We had some local friends come over to our house.  We made slime, played fun games, and most of all just celebrated Benjamin.  He finally got to blow out his own candles - and he got presents...which he opened without help.  He is a sweet kid - we are so blessed to have him in our lives.  I can't think of a more lovable little fellow...nor a more tender one.  He has transitioned well to living in the Philippines.  Below are some pictures of Benjamin and his party.

Benjamin got two baby turtles for his birthday - here is a picture of one crawling.

Here are some pics of us playing games at the party.

Making Slime at the Party / Benjamin about to blow out his candles!

Also, I would like to introduce a new member in the Silvey family.  For those of you who would like to make a quick joke...it is not another kid.  However, we did adopt a little orphan....cat.  I remember when I was only 8 years old, somehow we persuaded my dad to let us get a cat.  He reluctantly agreed after 3 boys persisted to wear him down against his own will.  Along came Whiskers, the Silvey family cat.  My dad must have known that he would bear the brunt of responsibilities associated with cat rearing, like changing kitty litter (pun intended).  That cat lived for 18 years - long after all us boys had left the house for college...leaving my parents with the cat.

For several months now, all our children have worn me down.  We adopted an orphan cat that needed a home.  We named it "Annie" after the classic movie "Little Orphan Annie."  In fact, we actually were able to get a copy of the movie and watch it with our kids as a celebration to Annie.  The cat is already getting into trouble - but our kids LOVE that animal...so I have been extra patient.  I have secretly been nice to the kitty, but I would deny the fact that it has won my heart.  I have posted a pic below.

Annie the Cat...in trouble

ONE MORE IMPORTANT NOTE:  WE GOT MAIL!!!

The other day we received a box from some people we love at CWC.  It was filled with goodies, hand-made crafts, snacks, and lots of other surprises.  If you helped in any way in getting this box to us - THANK YOU!  Our family was super-excited, and we opened it with fond memories of home.  Special thanks to Ruth Farney for organizing this blessing for us.  Here we are enjoying some of our stuff.

Kids in "We got Mail" heaven

Had to end with this totally-posed pic...we were just enjoying some of our gifts that we can't get here in the Philippines.  Here we have duct-tape neck ties made by Sydney Farney and Rio Judice, Dr. Pepper, Starburst, and a personalized ice chest.  We are also enjoying reading about Mudfest in the Perryton Herald..even if it is 4 months later!

A Different Perspective on Motherhood

by Salem

Since beginning volunteering at the clinic back in August, I have had the distinct privlege of watching 23 babies come into this world.  If I were a preacher, I could make a heck of an analogy about the pain and gunk that leads up to the magical moment of birth and is followed by the unexplainable, unimaginable love, curiosity, and even fear that follows.  But, I am not a preacher - so you'll have to get that analogy from someone else.

I volunteer in the birth room once a week.  My supervisor is an awesome Filipina midwife - most of my shifts are with her - but occasionally I'll be on a shift with other amazing, very experienced midwives.  I learn so much from each one.  Each shift has 4-6 midwives/volunteers.  Our responsibilities include monitoring/coaching/helping laboring women; preparing for and assisting with the birth; providing post-partum (after-birth) care for both mom and baby; and other tasks that make the efficient/effective running of a birth center possible.

This month we have 280 women due, which is on the high end - normal is somewhere around 250.  Our patients are primarily low-income women.  For some reason I have often thought that women in other countries must be "closer to their roots" regarding pregnancy/birth and that would somehow give them some "instinct" when it came to healthy pregnancy, natural delivery, and mother skills (like breastfeeding). 

But - I've found that women here aren't any different than me and my friends - they have the same fears/worries; they need to be lovingly taught/shown the same things I needed to know as a new mom; they have their own set of "old-wives-tales" that are different than the ones I heard in the States, but are just as powerful in influencing their decisions.

Don't get me wrong - there are differences - but most of the differences come in the form of expectations.  For example, the women here don't even consider an epidural - because we simply don't have them.  And, yet, I haven't seen a single woman buckle under the pain.  But I have seen the beautiful smile of a new mom look at me and say, "I did it.  I didn't think I could, but I did."  These women aren't stronger or better - they simply have different expectations.

Here I am in the birth room posing with a sweet mama whom I was able to assist in labor.  She came back a couple of days later for a routine newborn check and we snapped this picture.  Doesn't she have a great smile!  And her baby had the most amazing eyelashes I've ever seen - to bad he's a boy and won't fully appreciate them!

A couple of weeks ago I was able to start assisting my supervisor/the other midwives with parts of the delivery.  I'm super-excited - but also very humbled.  I've been able to assist in 6 births so far.  Each shift begins and ends with the midwives and volunteers gathing in prayer seeking God's wisdom, His watchful care, and His grace to do our jobs well.  These moments are poignient reminders of our dependence on Him.

Weather Forecast

Recently, I have had several conversations with friends about the weather back home in the Panhandle.  The weather report given to us over the last several of months has been...well...drought, heat, and wind.  Oh, and this week - snow.  The report I got in an email from our church in Perryton was 37 degrees with 34mph winds, with gusts upwards of 60mph. (Thanks for the weather report, Miss Betty!)  Needless to say, I have been inspired.  Here is a quick peek into the Davao climate.

Let me just begin by saying - if I were going to be a weatherman, this would be a good place.  It really doesn't seem that difficult to predict the weather.  Realistically, I could hang out on a golf course all day and just pre-record the forecast.  I could use the same forecast 90% of the time.  Let me give it a try...  "Today in Davao, the high is going to be in the upper 80's, with a high possibility that we will reach the 90's before the day is out.  It is going to be sunny, with a 40% chance of cloud cover in the afternoon, which will bring a 60% possibility of rain by late afternoon.  Make sure to pack your umbrellas.  Don't worry if you forget - you can play in the rain.  It will be your only relief of getting cool by Mother Nature.  The low today will be in the upper 70's...brrr that is cold!  Don't worry though, because inside your house it will consistently be around 85-90 degrees all day.  You should be fine as long as you keep your fans running and all your house windows open.  Make sure to watch out for the little girl turning off the fans because her hair 'blows crazy'.  When this happens, expect slightly higher temps indoors.  It may be windy today - it may get up to 5mph, with the occasional gust up to 10mph.  As most of you know, we are right off of the Equator, so expect the sun to be extra intense - since we are so much closer to the sun than most others on the planet.  When this happens, don't put a thermometer in direct sunlight on the grass in your front yard...last time I did this I thought the thermometer was going to break when it reached 125 degrees.  Stay in the shade as much as possible so it will feel 15 degrees cooler.  Don't forget to walk down the street with your umbrella open so it can shade you...you wouldn't want to get a suntan.  Let's keep that skin as white as possible!  For all of you runners, I suggest you get up early.  If you don't want to drown in your own sweat, you probably should plan on being done latest by 8 o'clock in the morning.  This should be no problem, because the sun rises everyday...365 days a year...before 5:30am!  Hopefully, you have 4 small children who get up when the sun gets up.  Mine always like to come jump on my bed and get me up before 6am - even on Saturdays.  Look on the sunny side of things (pun very much intended), this will give you plenty of time to exercise, make breakfast, take a shower, get dressed, get your kids dressed, read your Bible, think about going to bed again, make some coffee...all before 7am when your kids want to start school.  Sunset should be around 6pm this whole month, just like all other 11 months in the year.  You know our saying in Davao..."the weather never changes!"  On weather fashion today - just a reminder to set out 3 shirts again today.  The humidity will be through the roof!  You will feel sticky all day long.  Your shirt will get plenty of sweat - so make sure to stuff a hand towel down the back of your shirt so people can't notice your back sweat.  Also, this will be a distraction from your arm pit stains and that little sweat circle around your belly area.  If you don't have any hand towels, you can buy 6 of them in the mall parking lot for just 100 pesos ($2.50).  I just got mine today.  I've already used up 3...but am only on my second shirt.  For some of you who just can't cope with the heat index today - don't worry we are in the city!  When the asphalt burns the underside of your slippers (flip-flops) - make sure to hit the local McDo (McDonald's).  You can go through the drive-thru and get an ice cream cone for just 15 pesos ($0.35).  Lick fast, because it's going to melt quickly.  You might even want to pick up the best apples in town when you are in the drive-thru.  I got my apples from the man standing by the window hiding from McDo employees - I also got grapes.  One word of caution, if you are going to have McDo delivered...don't get the ice cream...those motorcycle delivery boys can't get to you quick enough.  For more details about the barometric pressure and other weather things I know nothing about, please check www.weather.com for more details.  It will tell you nothing new, but it is a neat website.  This is Nolan, your local golf pro...I mean weatherman.  See you tomorrow for the same forecast yet again."

Okay, maybe some of this has a little exaggeration.  Since we have been here, there has been one day I would classify as windy (so it isn't the exact same all 365 days/year).  This day was what the locals called a typhoon.  It had winds of upwards of 40-50mph, and it did significant damage.  Since pretty much every night I can look out my window and see every leaf on the tree dead still, these trees are not accustomed to change of climate.  Their roots are shallow, and their branches break easily.  In fact, a house down the street from us had a huge tree topple onto their carport during this storm.  It was a really sad situation.  Not only was the carport destroyed, it took out their 2 cars.  And, most people here can only get liability insurance on their vehicles.  The locals had the tree cleaned up in a day, and often I drive by thinking about all the spiritual implications for being deeply rooted in Christ.  The tree serves as a memorial to me, as you can still catch a glimpse of the shallow roots peeking out between the tree and the soil (see pics below).

The tree that fell down during the typhoon.  Notice the lack of roots on the tree.  (Colossians 2:7)

Check out the front wheels - not my idea of a wheelie.

In fact, this whole situation made me feel somewhat convicted about my own complaining about my own tree situation.  In this same storm, one of our tree branches was broken and hanging over our front yard fence.  We hired a local Philippine worker to cut off this branch, since obviously it would die.  Well...I should have learned to speak proper tree pruning vocabulary during my Visayan language class.  The gardener came and instead of cutting out one branch, cut the whole tree down.  I blame this on a simple communication breakdown.  You just have to focus on the positives: I still have 2 cars that were not totaled, the gardener has planted plenty of sticks in my yard to make up for it (no roots....just twigs ripped off of random shrubs...another story), I can now get a tan instead of sitting in the cool shade, and best of all - I can see our palm trees in the corner of our yard.  Needless to say, I feel very fortunate.

 

Our front yard view without the shady tree.  This was a remarkable sunset - one of only two since we have been here that have reminded me of the Panhandle...minus the palm trees of course.

 On a more serious note, our family has adjusted quite well..even to the climate and culture.  There are still surprises here and there, but we are doing well.  We miss friends, family, and what we would consider normal...but these things are all to be expected.  Thank you all for your support, prayers, and friendship.  I hope you enjoy the pics below!

On our way to the beach - riding a ferry across the bay.

(Above 3 Pics)

Caleb and Isaac sliding down the water slide at a local water park.  

Benjamin and Willow posing while playing in the "waterfall".

Playing Monopoly with mom.  

(Notice the Texas Ranger's shirt.  The World Series is the only TV we have been able to watch online.  Maybe next year Rangers...)

Willow and Dad pausing for a quick pic.

 Isaac doing school.  He is learning how to type in this picture.

Caleb working on English.

Benjamin working on a floor puzzle - he likes to do this while the older kids are in school.  He is getting good at recognizing shapes, numbers and letters.  And...he can do the puzzle all by himself!

Willow on a Mom/Daughter date to get their nails done.  Willow was treated like a celebrity.  Literally, a half circle formed around her with every worker and person there... "Hello baby, what's your name?  Can we trade your hair?  Can we trade you your blue eyes?  You look like Barbie...  You are so beautiful...