A Thought From Meredith

When we were on the flight to the Philippines I had this thought.  Jesus took His passion steps easiest to hardest (of course none of His suffering was easy, but some things I think were harder).  First, Jesus thought about His suffering and sweated blood because He knew how hard it would be.  Then He was scourged very badly and laughed at.  Next, He was stabbed with a sharp crown of thorns and people mocked Him.  Jesus took His cross and also fell three times before reaching Calvary.  When Jesus got there He was stripped of His clothes and nailed to His cross.  Before Jesus died He forgave those who persecuted Him.  I think we should follow these steps.  1. First think about what God is calling us to, then accept it.  2. Then, scourge all the bad habits and a few things you could do without.  3. Next, put aside all bad thoughts and judgeful thoughts (it is hard for me not to judge also!).  4. Bear your cross cheerfully each day!.  5. Strip yourself of the rest of the bad habits and everything that is keeping you from being close to God.  The final step (6.) is to crucify yourself with Jesus, offer yourself to God, and forgive those who persecute you. 
P.S. You don't have to do these things all at once.  Do each step until it's like a habit to you.
P.P.S. I really like this reading: Romans 13:8-14.  Look it up!   

Our First Blog Post

We arrived here in the Philippines on March 2 two weeks ago.  Since then we have had lunch with the Cardinal of the Philippines, met the Bishop of Cagayan de Oro, and Fr. Joe the parish priest of Sagay.  Fr. Joe has taken us to swim at the Sto. Nino cold springs, to the city of Mumbajao, and all the way back to Cagayan to get some supplies to set up our house.  We have to ride a ferry to the main island called Mindanao where Cagayan de Oro is.  On our first ferry ride my dad and Meredith prayed that we would see dolphins.  Their prayers were answered!  We all got to see at least 10 dolphins! When we arrived at the Holy Rosary High School in Sagay, Camiguin, the students performed a welcome dance for us.  The music was the Camiguin theme song.  Then we went to Fr. Joe's house where the Holy Rosary Church parishioners had our dinner waiting- a whole roasted pig, and many other delicious foods.  After our meal we went to our one room cottage that's right next to the sea.  We will be staying there until they are finished building our new house.  It will even have a real chapel inside!
We'll write more later.  God Bless!