72 Degrees

We woke this morning to a wonderful day. It's not sunny and clear, but a rainy, cloudy, cool 72 degrees. For those of you with mornings in the 30's, I realize this isn't cold, but for those of us who haven't seen temps below 70 in 2 1/2 years, it is really cool. I am beginning to get in the Christmas spirit. At times the rain is so fine, I can almost imagine it is snow. The Christmas lights are glowing, Christmas music is playing quietly in the background and the kids and I are sipping hot chocolate as they do their school work. Al and I are dressed in the same clothes we normally wear and just enjoying the nip, but the kids seem to be freezing. They had to go back to their rooms and put on long pants and a sweat shirt. You can tell Will's sweat shirt is getting a little short in the sleeves. I will obviously have to make an investment in some sweat shirts when we are home in the States.


Maggie is even curled up in a ball on the floor. Emily took this picture of her a few minutes ago.



If only it would last. It may be this way all day or it could clear up and be blazing again by dinner time. We will just have to enjoy it while it lasts.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The smells of Thanksgiving are filling the air as my turkey cooks in the oven. On the counter waiting to go in, I have cornbread dressing and carrot souffle. The cranberry sauce is in the fridge and the potatoes are cooked and just waiting to be mashed. Cindy is next door cooking a wonderful pumpkin crunch. It is truly Thanksgiving. The only thing missing is a nip in the air and family gathered around our table. We will have a great meal this evening with our friends and partners, the Nelsens, but this day is a day I long to be home or at least with those closest to me. If only I lived in the Star Trek world, I could say "Beam me to my Mom's house, Scotty". Last year we had a great time with my parents celebrating here with us. The year before, our first in the PI, we ate alone and I broke down and cried at the dinner table. (The children just love to bring that up) I guess this will be a different Thanksgiving from the last 2 years--no family and, I hope, there will be no tears.

This morning we did a Bible study as a family on Thankfulness. We studied Exodus 15. It is a song of praise by the Israelites just after crossing the Red Sea and having it crash on Pharaoh's men. I love verse 11 that says: "Who among the gods is like you, O LORD ? Who is like you—majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?"

This song of thanksgiving goes on for 21 verses, yet just a couple verses later, the Israelites have forgotten all the good God has given them and are grumbling and complaining because the water they have is bitter. Our goal as a family is to be Thankful of the Lord's blessing regardless of the circumstances in our lives. We want to live out Ephesians 5:19-20-- "Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

I hope your Thanksgiving was a time of thankful reflection of the Lord's blessings to you.

Thanks, also, to all of you who help make our ministry here on the other side of the world possible. May God bless you richly in this holiday season!

Because of Him,
Ginger, Allan, Emily, and Will

Dental team visits

We have had a busy start to this week. On Saturday, a team of 4 dentists, 1 hygenist and supporting helpers came for a week of ministry to our area. This is a varied group with 1 from Alaska, 1 from the US territory Saipan, a few from the lower 48, and 1 returning Filipina. We are very fortunate to have them help in the clinic. Their service is greatly needed in the impoverished community we serve. They are providing extractions, fillings, education, cleaning, and flouride.

No wimps here. Strong muscles for the dentist and character building for the patient.

Of course, some eating together and getting to know one another.

TV Time at the Gilmers

This is a common sight at our house...Will laying on Maggie and watching TV. I took this picture tonight while he was watching a movie. Normally he is on his back with his head on her side. He doesn't seem to mind the hard marble floors. He will do anything to be with his puppy. Will has always wanted a dog and he enjoys being with her so much. They spent the afternoon out playing by the swings. I think Mags enjoys the kids homeschooling this year. She gets a lot of attention during the day.

This summer Will and Emily kept doing gymnastics in my parents bedroom at the lakehouse. I couldn't seem to keep them out of there. They were constantly doing somersaults and rolling all over the floor. It took me a while to realize they were just loving the feel and softness of carpet.

More from the Grocery Store

A few weeks ago I posted a picture of some cleaning supplies. The same day I took that picture, I also took this one. It is of Chef Boyardee Ravioli. I had never seen that here before and really contemplated buying some. When the kids were little and Al and I went out for the evening, or Al was on call and we didn't eat at the hospital, the kids would have a can of Chef Boyardee. Ravioli was one of their favorites. So I thought we could take a trip down memory lane one day for lunch or dinner. That is until I saw the price.....337 pesos! For a can of Ravioli???? Ravioli, that to me, is only fair at best. That's over $7. Obviously Memory Lane can get expensive. I put the can back and decided we can take that trip when we are home on furlough.


By the way, people really look at you strange when you take pictures in the grocery store. When you walk off, they always go and look at whatever you were taking a picture of. I try to be inconspicuous and wait until no one is around, but the flash always gives me away and it is rare to be anywhere alone in this city. I guess I would do the same if someone was taking a picture of a shelf in Walmart.

Moments from childhood

Do you have memories from childhood that are so vivid you can almost re-live them? I have a few events that can replay in my mind as if I am there once again. When I was about Emily's age, my parents had this big old green Chevy Impala. I don't remember it being a pretty green. It was a cross between an avocado and an olive green and the glossy finish had long since faded. My dad got a deal on it when my grandfather bought a new car and sold it to him cheap. I have a vivid picture of climbing into the backseat of this car and slamming the door on my mom's finger (I think it was her thumb). My stomach still clinches and hurts to this day when I think about how much that must have hurt.

For the last 12 1/2 years, I have lived in dread of history repeating itself and one of my own children shutting my finger in the car door. The closest we've come is the time Emily shut Will's head in the sliding van door during residency. That is until now....

You know how parents are always saying, "When you grow up, I hope you have a kid just like you!"? Well mine didn't really have to say that. Unfortunately, when I grew up I still had myself. Last week payback came when I shut my own finger in the car door. Can you believe it?? It is purple and blue, I am probably going to lose the nail, and Al thinks I should get it x-rayed because it might be broken. I often find myself telling Emily to "pay attention to what you're doing." and "Quit acting so harum scarum". Two expressions I hated, that my Mom used to tell me. How can I expect my child to be something that to this day I am still not?

By the way if you know where the expression harum scarum comes from I'd be interested.