Six months, 3 days, 16 hours: It was exactly that long ago today that we stepped down off the airplane and our feet touched foreign soil.  I have spent a little time reflecting and talking with my husband over our stay so far and have come to know that there have been many lessons learned.  Some of them I would like to share, others I will continue to hold dear to my heart, just where God put them!

I have learned that:

      Traffic laws (overall) are merely suggestions
      Texas heat ain’t got nothin’ on this one!
      It really is an art to live by the quote, “waste not, want not”
      One does not necessarily need an actual room in order to use the “bathroom”
      Tears are healthy
      Friends are brought closer through prayer no matter their distance
      The open-air market is quite charming
      The smiles of the Filipino people bring me comfort
      God is indeed faithful and true to His every word!
      My family means the world to me…I didn’t think I could love them more
      I really don’t miss those things I thought I would
      Ok, maybe I do miss Walmart a little
      It is one thing to have a vision, but another to put it into action
      Sometimes, you really can live on grace alone
      I wouldn’t trade my life here for any other place in the world!  Honest!
 

Oh, the journey so far!  I know there is much more to see, do, and experience.  I know that what has already been only scratches the surface.  If I could sum up my emotions on a daily basis with one phrase, it would have to be:  “God is faithful”!  He is faithful in the waiting, faithful in the tears, faithful in the laughter, faithful in the provisions, faithful…just so wonderfully faithful.

Tina Ebert, Philippines