Twenty-Four

I celebrated my 24th birthday yesterday! I truly felt so special, loved, and celebrated. It was a simple day but it was full of fun, love, and little treats along the way.

I woke up bright and early to this sweet face:

Isaiah has been smiling practically since birth, but since the timing was always random or even inappropriate it was pretty clear that the little guy was just working out his face muscles. So I've been acting completely ridiculous for quite some time now trying to get him to smile at me. Well, he knows how to play his cards right. He waited until my birthday morning to lock eyes and smile right at me. And I only had to act semi-ridiculous to get him to do it :) So sweet.

While Josh went to the market to buy some of my favorite fruits and veggies to cook up, Isaiah and I skyped my family. It was a fun time and it's always good to see your family on your birthday.

Josh brought home a beautiful plant for me to enjoy. I like flowers as much as the next girl and enjoy their beauty and scent. However when I think of Josh I don't think of a flowers type of man; he always says he'd rather get something that doesn't die ha. So it was a sweet sight to see him walk in the house with a big plant of blooming flowers. We'll see if I can keep it alive :)

Josh took me out for lunch on the beach after church, complete with an appetizer and a peanut butter- banana-coco jam shake. Can't even tell you how delicious it was.

I received sweet texts from friends and messages on facebook from across the world.

My mom left gifts with me when she was here so I had been waiting to open those. Thank you Mama for cute jewelry and headbands! You know me well :)

Our friends came over for FAT Group. Afterwards we made lumpiang shanghai (a Filipino delicacy kind of like an egg roll). Far from the healthy diet I've been trying to maintain, but the crispy fried goodness was much enjoyed by us all. We played games and hung out until Isaiah essentially ran them off :) Nights aren't exactly his thing right now.

Once we got Isaiah settled down, Josh and I completed the night with some kiwi cake and cream cheese frosting. I could literally write another post about the gem of a bakery we found in Baler. Everything is made from scratch with fresh ingredients. It's hidden behind someone's house and has the tastiest desserts and breads.

Being a wife and mommy made my birthday even more special. I'm thankful for the life God has given me. 24 is feelin' pretty good so far.

Kids will be kids

One of my favorite things about our life here is the time spent with the kids who live around us. Investing in them was something the Lord told me to do just a few months after being here and it is one area of ministry that has been rather consistent. Each meeting is far from consistent: we might have 25 kids come, we might have 2. We might have a friend translate for us, we might struggle through Tagalog on our own. Someone might punch their friend or suck a bead up their nose or it may be smooth sailing. Every afternoon looks different. But consistently the power of the Lord’s presence is real. These kids know they are loved. Regardless of what situation they go home to, they know Ate Autumn and Kuya Josh love them and they’re learning of a Savior who loves them even more.

Right before Isaiah was born we finished the list of Creation to Christ scriptures that we were teaching them. We spent time reviewing and talking through how the stories all went together to form one big amazing story. We put forth another challenge to learn 10 memory verses and we’ll go on another picnic. Custom here is for a mother to stay home with her newborn for a month so I really haven’t left home much. Shout out to a husband who has grocery shopped (and cooked), ran any other errands, and taught these sweet kiddos. Josh hasn’t missed a single Monday or Thursday with them since we’ve been home from the hospital. It’s truly been an act of love to me. He’s even managed to get a couple of the boys interested in memorizing God’s Word.

Please pray for God to continue to reveal Himself to these young kids. Pray for His Word to be written on their hearts and saturate their minds. Please also pray for Isaiah and me as we make the trek out to the street. I’m excited to be with the kids again, but also strategizing how to keep those spider-collecting, fire-making, snack-eating, snot-wiping hands off of Isaiah's  :)  

 The two girls above are Kathleen and Larreine. They are 11 and 12 years old. Their questions about the Kingdom of God are so innocent and beautiful. PRAY on their behalf as they seek the Lord. PRAY for their salvation.

 

 Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice! Psalm 141:2

 The story of the Samaritan woman seemed to be one of their favorites about Jesus. The picture says "I'm thirsty give me some water.  I bless whoever drink this water cannot be thirsty anymore" (They love to practice their English!)

We love this picture. Kathleen sent it home with Josh to give to me. Filipinos have a great struggle with confusing the letter 'p' with the letter 'f' since f's are not used in the Tagalog language. Note the caption, "The Last Suffer" :)

Praise the Lamb that He did suffer and through His suffering we are made clean and righteous.

Amen.

1 Month Update

I absolutely could not get him to look at me unless 1. he was crying or 2. towel and pacifier were in hand

1 Month

4.3 kilograms   (9.4 pounds)

53.5 centimeters    (21.1 inches)

Likes: 

 snuggling & cuddling 

naps with Mama

his pacifier

nursing 

laying on Daddy's chest 

to be held close 

being naked

his hands

I can't believe Isaiah is one month old! In some ways it seems like he just got here, but then again it seems like we can't remember life before him. Isaiah is such a sweet baby and the past month has been a joy for his daddy and me. It has been one of the most challenging yet most precious seasons of my life. I want to treasure every second of the last 4 weeks. I plan to write a monthly update until Isaiah reaches 1 year. I know family and friends from home will appreciate this, but I'm also hoping to document little memories and milestones that Josh and I can look back on when it's hard to remember these fleeting days. So, this is my apology for the rambling to come. 

In the past month Isaiah has already changed so much. His puffy newborn eyes are long gone and now we look into the most beautiful charcoal blue eyes. I melt. He seems to us adorable in every way with his comb-over hair and birthmark on his booty cheek. He has these tiny dimples on his shoulders that we can't get enough of. He smiles in his sleep and turns blood-red when he poops. He scares mama every. single. time. he spits up and makes us proud in his attempts to hold up that heavy head. I see his daddy every time I look at his little lips and could kiss that button nose all day long.

Sweet boy loves to be naked. And to eat his hands. He appreciates being held near, especially on mama or daddy's chest. He really doesn't cry much. We joke that it was several days before we ever heard him cry. But when he does, he means business and he reaches a pitch that I just can't bear. 

I feel as if we've already hit so many 'firsts' and 'milestones'. He lost his cord stump at just 6 days old and it took a while for it to clear up but his belly button is looking as cute as ever now. We used disposable diapers for the first couple of weeks until mommy and daddy got comfortable with this new little human in our home. We've been using our cloth diapers the past two weeks and love them! Especially since our province just started a burn ban and we'd practically be collecting poopy diapers. They're a lot less intimidating than I expected, they're super cute, and they really don't stink! Isaiah slept with us at the hospital so when we got home, the bassinet seemed like a million miles from my side. I just couldn't put him in it. But in the past week or so we made the big transition. Neither Josh or I were sleeping very good for fear of squishing the little guy (and Josh was sleeping in a pool of sweat since the fan was too cool for Isaiah). The first night I practically clung to the edge of the bed, watching his every move, and cried myself to sleep while he slept soundly. But he seems to be quite cozy in his little nest and now that I've conquered the transition, everyone involved is sleeping better. Mind you, he still ends up in the bed with us most nights and his bassinet is practically in the bed with us it's so close :)

Isaiah is being exclusively breastfed and he's quite the little eater! Nursing was something I prayed about a good bit before he was born. I was nervous about all the potential struggles, but we're both doing well. What an honor to get to feed my little man. It's certainly provided lots of bonding time for the two of us. We're still getting into the swing of things as he is pretty unpredictable right now and he really is the king of spit up which bothers me, but overall, we're doing well. He nurses every 1.5 to 3 hours during the day and basically that often during the night. Occasionally we get a four hour stretch. Some days I do feel like I spend the whole day in the rocking chair nursing him, but it's slowed me down a lot and provided lots of prayer time over him and others. It also helps cultivate an attitude of gratitude when I think of how every second he breathes is a gift of God. My favorite part of nursing happened in the past week when Isaiah started wrapping his little hand around my back when he nurses and sometimes putting the other hand on my chest as if he's hugging me or saying "I love you Mama." I love it.

He seems to be growing well (we went to a pediatrician yesterday) and we praise God for that. He is wearing size newborn and 0-3 month clothes. Only a few of the newborn onesies still fit and the socks that came with them have been long gone. His feet are so big! 

Isaiah,

 Sweet boy you are a miracle; a gift from God. You are one month old today and your one month of life has brought your daddy and me so much joy. You're such a handsome baby boy with charcoal blue eyes and your daddy's lips. We already laugh at every sound and face you make. We can't wait to know your personality more as we watch you grow. You are fearfully and wonderfully made, Isaiah. You have a family in America and a family of friends here in the Philippines who both love you so much and a God who has big plans for your life. Mama and Daddy are already so proud of you baby boy.    

Love, Mama

Isaiah,
After seeing Mom's letter, I felt the need to write this one.  Your dad is not as sweet and thoughtful on these types of things, but don't doubt his love for you one bit.  We think God has given you to us for special purposes and destined you for great things.  Things that will matter long beyond your life. We have seen his perfect timing throughout the period of your coming into this world.  We're definitely glad you're here.  We're attempting to give you to God daily.  We've already failed numerous times, but desire to continue handing you over to Him.  Ultimately, He will make you who you need to be.  You don't have to worry about Him holding up His end of the deal.  He's faithful.  Always.  You also have a lot of people behind you.  There's a Filipino community that considers you to be their own.  They're your family.  As of now, you're only Filipino, but you already have family in America too.  They're awesome.  Mom has already told you all about them, and you stamped your footprints for them.  Hopefully, you'll be an American soon so you can go meet them all.  Two things as I close: First, nothing the Philippines has thrown at your mom has scared her like you can. And second, we are extremely proud to call you our son.  We love you Isaiah.
Love, Daddy

*Look a couple posts down to see how he's grown and changed since his newborn picture (taken at about 5 days old) *

School's Out For Summer

As some of you have probably read on here before, one of the opportunities the Lord gave us here in Aurora was teaching ‘religious instruction’ in a local high school. This particular ministry opportunity got the most questions and comments from people when we’d mention it. I suppose because it’s something so foreign for schools in America. Every public school in the Philippines has a religious instruction hour once a week. The local priest comes in to teach catechisms. It’s very ‘religious’ but the teachings are not biblical. They include worship of saints and other idols. Ma’am Chat, the principal at Calabuanan National High School, is a follower of Jesus and chose to break from this cultural mold. She asked a local pastor friend of ours to teach about Jesus rather than religion. The pastor asked us to do it; we agreed and recruited some friends to join us in teaching these teenagers. What a blessing this hour every Tuesday turned out to be! The group of 100 students quickly dwindled when they realized the small groups we were facilitating required interaction and not just attendance, but the 50 or so of them who continued to come were truly interested in studying God’s Word. A few of them began to obey it.  Some of them heard truths they had never heard before and had many questions. Some of them chose to follow Jesus and surrender their lives to Him. Students were changed. Praise God for this! Last Tuesday was the last time we’ll meet with them. The school year here is from June to March so final exams are coming up and school will be out for summer. I wasn’t able to attend for the last month or so (due to a sweet addition to our family!) but Josh and our friends went and we were glad to finish well. We are praying that the core group of students who are genuine about their faith will continue to study God’s word this summer. We pray they will begin their own discovery Bible studies and that disciples will be made in the community of Calabuanan. Join us in praying for these kids. Pray also for Ma’am Chat to be willing to have our friends come again next year. Pray for God to raise up godly leaders in Calabuanan. 

Baby Isaiah

We are so proud to introduce 

ISAIAH LUKE BOREN

Born February 21, 2014

9:15 AM

Weighing in at 3, 311 grams (7.3 lbs)

53 centimeters long (20.9 in)

 
Most of you have probably heard through word of mouth, facebook, or email but our little boy made his appearance about 2 weeks ago. We learned (and are still learning) an immense depth of God's faithfulness and sovereignty through Isaiah's birth. And we're learning more about the love of our Father as we parent this little life. He has been such a joy these past two weeks and we are completely in love with him. Thank you all for your prayers throughout this pregnancy and delivery. We are humbled to have so many people behind us. I look forward to writing more about Isaiah's birth day as well as what the beginning of parenthood has held, but for now I'll just share some pictures of our sweet fella's first weeks of life.