Brief overview in the life of the Redding-Morgan life

It's been several years since I've done the blogging thing. I've decided that since I have more time on my hands these days that I would once again give it a try.

June 1st we moved from Idaho to Michigan. We lived for a month with Jeff's mom in Flint, MI. It was hard to share space for awhile, but it was a special time to get to know his mom. While our stay there Jeff was able to get the job we were praying he would. A week or so after arriving in Michigan he FINALLY started working. He has been there almost 2 months now and has loved every minute of it. He not only enjoys the work, but he has made friends and also loves the company and the overall atmosphere.

July 4th was spent moving into our apartment. We found a cute 2 bedroom place in Haslett. Haslett is a small town just minutes from East Lansing (home of Michigan State University) and Lansing (the state capitol). The people in general are very outgoing and friendly. Most are VERY surprised that we actually moved here to Michigan and that Jeff was able to get a job. We learned very quickly that the economy was hit very hard here the last couple of years.

The weather has been hot and Anna and I spend our days enjoying the outdoor pool. I love each day we have together and I have a feeling I will become very lonely and bored once she goes back to school in the fall!!

Since our life has become somewhat settled I decided it was time to attack things on our "to-do" list that have been pushed aside. The list included things such as, find new doctors, try to loose weight, join a gym, etc. :-) In my search I discovered a medically monitored weight loss program. It seemed to fit EVERYTHING that we needed. After many tests and doctors visits Jeff and I finally started the program this week. Each week we will weigh in, attend a group class and meet with the doctor and nurse. It is a 24 week program. The first 12 weeks our calorie intake is drastically reduced and we eat the Optifast products. The latter 12 weeks we will transition back to food and with the help of dietitians do so with a balanced diet. During this time we are also working with exercise specialist who will help up with our activity levels. After the 24 weeks has been completed we will have a year of maintenance. The hope is that we loose the weight and KEEP IT OFF!

Other things we are heading towards is buying a house. With the economy so terrible out here the houses are so incredibly inexpensive. Our problem is with Jeff not having work for so long it is nearly impossible for us to get a mortgage right now. So, that adventure is very possibly postponed for a year or two. That does not, however, keep me from looking at all the "owner-financed" houses. :-)

Lastly we have done some research and in the application process of infant adoption. I always knew that it was a long process, but I had NO IDEA how much paperwork that really involved! We are very excited to add another child to our family. However, with our current weight loss program underway we have decided to wait at least 3 months before heading full force into the process. With so many new things going on we want to wait and focus on the adoption next. We also hope and pray that maybe once we are both healthier we may be able to conceive our own little life.

Well, that about sums it all up for now. Going forward the post will most generally be about our everyday encounters. There will probably be many "I'm hungry" complaints, but who knows. ;-) I hope you all enjoy your weekend. I look forward to blogging more on Monday.

Oh, and feel free to comment and share other interesting blogs with me as I am "new" (again) to this blogging world.

Love to you all,

Liz

The days are going by so fast

Sorry it's been a few days since our last post. What can I say, the time is going by so fast!
Last Sunday we worshiped at Valley Cathedral Church. It was like a dream. It was so great to see so many friendly and familiar faces. It brought tears to my eyes as children came up to me and fought to sit on my lap as the saw and remembered me. So many friends we've been able to reconnect with...what a blessing!
The last few days have been cooler in temp. It's been raining off and on, so that helps a lot!! I've found that even though it's was nice to have air conditioning last time, it seemed harder to become aclamated to the heat. Here we are in the middle of summer in a house with no air conditioning and I seem to have adjusted so much better!
Well, we're about to watch the movie "Enchanted" so I better get going. Anna's invited a friend over and we're going to spend the evening watching the movie! :-) What can I say, we feel so at home here...and we're not at all ready to leave.
Pictures to come in next post.
Love to you all from the Philippines!

Short check-in

Today was another HOT day!! I personally think it has been the hottest so far. We rested most of the afternoon...it's what happens when it gets so hot here. :-)
Tomorrow we will go to Valley Cathedral Church. I am excited to go there because that is the church we attended last year. It is also the church that is next to the Children's Home that we stayed at. There will be a lot of great friends we will be able to connect with again.
Next week we will attend several Bible Study groups in the area. This week I have spent most of the time adjusting to time and heat. It seems that with 2 weeks it is only time enough to adjust to the heat, time and barely get started!!
Well, not much else to share at this point. I enjoy hearing from those that visit our blog.
Pray all are blessed!

Pictures, pictures and more pictures

I was surprised when I was able to connect to a wireless spot here in their house tonight...SO, I decided to take this time to post some pictures. They are pretty much all self explanitory. We have taken hundreds already and we're on day 3. hahaha! I hope you enjoy!

We are hot, but having the time of our lives!

After 13.5 hours from Seattle to Taipei; 8 hours in Taipei and another 2 hours from Taipei to Manila we finally arrived. :-)
The plane ride was great (except the inevitable bouts of turbulence). Anna and I slept most of the trip to Taipei. Once we arrived in Taipei I was faced with entertaining a 5 year old for 8 hours in a place that had NOTHING to do. We spend $20 eating a sandwich, small dessert and bottle of water. After that, we took many long walks up and down the terminal. I would have to say the highlight of our time there was the pedicure we gave each other! :-) We wanted to have pretty toes for our time here.
Although our time there was long, it was amazing to be there again. It brought back a lot of memories. Our gate was just one over from the one our team spent hours at. I could just picture all of us taking up a section...all wearing our red shirts. :-)
Once we arrived in Manila I was thankful that God helped us through the Immigration and customs. I knew there was nothing to worry about, but I was still anxious that I would have filled the form out incorrectly, or I was doing something wrong. After all that time traveling, I didn't want to be told I had to return home!
Our dear friends Lorna, Kenneth and Krizzia met us outside the airport in Manila. Wow, the memories came flooding back as we stepped outside. I was so overcome with happiness! The smells, the rush of people, the cars, everything! I was reminded instantly of my love for this country!
We have spent the last 2 days recovering from jetlag. Anna spends most of her days with Ate Krizzia. This is Lorna's daughter who is 16. They love each other so much and you will always find them together. I have been relaxing and enjoying my time here with my family in the Philippines!
Yesterday Lorna and I took a tricycle to the market. I had forgotten how much people stare. I am several inches taller than most, white and overall larger than most. It is uncommon for "foreigner" to be here, especially in the heat of summer. I had several people say hello and several men calling after me saying, "very beautiful woman." Lorna and I were laughing!
Oh and the Mangos!! They are delicious!! If you have never tasted a mango in the Philippines, then you have never tasted a mango!
We are so happy here and are already sad as each day passes. :-(
The time here is so short!
Well...that's about it for now. I'll write later as more happens.
Love to you all!

2 more sleeps..

That is speaking Anna's 5 year old language. :-) We sleep 2 more times before we get on the plane to the Philippines!

She got her hair braided last night so it should help keep her cool while we are there. The part she likes the best is that I don't have to do it while we're there. She asked me again this morning, just to make sure. "Mom, you don't have to do my hair today? and you don't have to do it while we're in the Philippines?" I think she so cute.
Here are two shots of her new hair!

Today I also finish my assignment at my current job. To put it simply, my job is to fill in for different companies in their accounting departments. I have been with this particular company since January, so I am sad for the coming end to the assignment. :-(

I also finish my first block of classes tomorrow. Wow, no wonder I seem to be an emotional basket case at times. I have several major endings and one new beginning all at one time! This is enough to drive anyone crazy!

One thing I've really struggled with today is asking myself this question..."Am I being genuine in my complete faith and trust that God will provide?" I know that He has always provided and I know that taking this trip is what He wants us to do, but in my flesh it's hard to not look at my watch and say, "alright, it's the 2nd of May and I need money for rent and daycare...is today the day?" That is when I started asking myself if I was believing He will provide, or REALLY knowing and trusting He will provide, without a doubt! This is where I think I need to connect my head with my heart! I haven't come up with an answer yet...I'll keep you posted. ;-)

Well, that's about all for this Friday. Keep me in my prayers...today is a struggle.

Thank you for stopping by.

May you be greatly blessed!

I'm so excited!!!

We are both so very excited. Every morning as Anna wakes up the first words out of her mouth are, "Are we going to the Philippines today?" Sadly I reply, "no, not today...but in a few more days." We determined last night it was 5 more sleeps. So, today it's only 4 more sleeps to go!!

This week is busy as I prepare to go. I'm finishing my assignment for work with the client I've been working with since January. I'm sad to leave this assignment, but I have several good friends I have made! I know I'll be seeing at least some of them for years to come.
I am also going to school full time online. I finish up my first block of classes this week, so that means I have FINAL projects due. They are both due Sunday night, but I will turn them in before that since we'll be boarding a place Sunday night!

I'm also in the process of getting things together to take. This time is different in some ways because I have friends out there. I am stocking up on gifts I want to take. For example, chocolate, girlie smelly lotions, shampoos, Starbucks coffee...and the list continues. :-) Oh, and don't forget the shopping for clothes for both me and Anna. It's HOT there now and my dark jeans and long sleeve shirts will not do! So much to do!

Well, continue to keep us in your prayers. I'd love to hear from you all. I'll keep you posted as long as I know people are checking. :-)

May God bless you richly!