The Price is Right

So let's play a game. Shall we?

Yesterday I went to the local market to buy a few things (pictured below). How much money do you think it all cost, in approximate dollars? Your guess should include the cost of a motorbike ride to the market and a trysikad ride home from the market, which is probably about a mile away (about a 5 minute ride).

¼ watermelon, 2 avocado, 3 oranges, 10 tomatoes, 1 papaya

Update

So what's new with us? Well, for starters, we have been happily married for three years now! Last week we celebrated our anniversary by spending two nights at a resort on Samal Island. After I process my many pictures from the trip, I'll post some of them and talk a little about the resort. It was really nice. It reminded us of camping more than being at a resort, which suited us just fine. It was nice to see some greenery and hear some animals again.

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Where has time gone?

Wow 7 months into this journey of following the passion God has placed in my hearts~to help pregnant moms birth healthy babies. Valuing the vulnerable and underserved women and babies because they are precious!

(Click on the image to see a closer view)

The above photo mosaic is courtesy of http://bighugelabs.com/. It's free and fun for picture arranging. :)

Not in any specific order I have posted Baby catches #8 through 15. Even though getting to assist the mom as she pushes her little one into the world is crazy thrilling...I still enjoy more the 'ooo and awww' of enjoying the little bundle after they're out. At some point I hope to include short snippets of their birth stories...each one is unique and stand out in their own special way.

You've got Spring. We've got Summer!

So spring has sprung in the US. I hope you are all looking forward to warmer days. You can put away the snow tires and get ready for spring cleaning. The windows will soon be open. New life will arise from the previously frozen soil. And I really don't know where I am going with this line of thought. Other than I really miss that last part. Yes there is green plant life here all year, but I miss spring. I miss the freshness and newness of flowers growing in gardens. The only greenery we see on a regular basis is large trees. Yes, the trees are tropical (lots of palm, coconut and banana trees), but there is not much change to them. I want to see and smell flowers. Earlier this month when we stopped at a resort while on Samal Island, I actually made the comment, "Wow! Grass!" I never thought that I'd miss grass so much. I don't think I'd be too surprised if I actually hug a lawn when we come home. Yeah, that's a weird mental picture.

Just to let you know...

A few people have asked how we are doing following last week's earthquake and tsunami in Japan. We have had no effects here in Davao City that I am aware of. I read from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology that the largest unusual wave recorded on Friday was only 70cm. So as far as I can tell there wasn't much impact on the Philippines. The city here is very protected. The mountains protect it from bad typhoons (usually only affected by lots of rain, not the fierce winds). Samal and Talikud Islands protect the waterfront from significant waves and such. There is some flooding with any heavy rains, but not anything like what has happened in Japan.

So here's a quote I heard at church on Sunday that defines love, from the senior pastor of the church (I believe he is in Manila):

"Love is a commitment directed towards imperfect people to seek their highest good which often requires sacrifice."

Random Photos, and a video

Here are some more random photos that I've taken from around the city (with my phone, so the quality is not that great).

Gifts on display for Chinese New Year (arguably as big, if not bigger, than Christmas here)