Changing Over

For all of you who read our blog regularly - thank-you.  I have switched to wordpress as Google holds the rights to Blogger and with wordpress you hold the rights to you material.  So, keep reading at:  http://debstaylorfamily.wordpress.com/

Arrival

Our internet at home has been dodgy so I haven't had the opportunity to update the blog so here is a crash blog on being back.
We arrived back at 5.30 p.m. on Tuesday the 10th July.  We actually had a quick disembarkation through immigration and the luggage carousel but immediately confronted the reality of traffic in Manila.  We finally arrived at the Manila Mission Home about 8.45.  We had Chicken Adobo and Buko Pandan to eat which was a truly Filipino welcome back.
We travelled to our house Weds morning and began the mammoth task of organising, unpacking, sorting and settling!  The kids picked their own room with no fuss or conflict.
And so we have begun the process of adjusting back to life here.  It was 31 degrees the night we landed and we have enjoyed being warm - for me it feels like the first time in a year!  Naomi and Rose have suffered from heat rash a bit and Naomi is the one who has struggled the most adjusting to food and life here.  We have been swimming many times and we managed a quick trip to the beach - avoiding the worst of the rain.  Then we experienced a tropical depression which sat over us for a few days and meant football was cancelled for Rose and Joshua last Friday but it finally cleared Sunday night and they played again this week.
Mostly things have gone well but there are adjustments to be made.  Steve has worked hard on the house, making it more secure and suited to us.  I found driving here again difficult.  Other drivers were getting frustrated with me as I was too tentative! It has also been a n adjustment back to shopping here - much cheaper but less choice.
We have been up at school to do work, Steve was also around at the New Staff orientation as part of the Admin team and tomorrow is our All Staff retreat.  School begins next Thursday.

Last Week

Our last week in England was special.  I was glad we took the kids out of school and allowed time to "finish off".  We spent some time with Steve's mum and brother, including celebrating Rose's birthday.   The kids fed the ducks for the last time, we went bowling, and Rose's highlight was blowing out candles on the oatcakes. 

On the way back we stopped to ice skate and then we had a couple of days to spend with family and finish up packing.  On Sunday we had a big family meal with both sides of our families and then got to watch the Wimbledon Final with Andy Murray in.  Great finish!

Warwick Castle

You would think that scheduling something for the 2nd July would be fairly likely to get reasonable weather, wouldn't you?  Well, the weather was naff.  We had rain from the moment we left the house till we were leaving the castle!  None of us had coats with us (in fact, I have already boxed mine up, in the optimistic hope we would experience summer before leaving England!) so we were all pretty much washed out by the end of our visit.  However, it's a cool place and we got to see most of it - at least around the castle, not bothering to venture too far in the grounds.  We did watch a display of the trebuchet which was impressive.
The killer for us all was the 530 steps you walk up and down round the towers and ramparts, although Josh did it twice with Steve.

Re-commissioning

Today our church re-affirmed our call and their partnership with us.  It was a brilliant service and our pastor did a great job of designing the service.  We were particularly impressed how he included our children and the children of the church in challenging them to remember and pray for the Taylor children.  It was a meaningful service and we feel like we have a strong connection with our church as we return to the Philippines.

Last Day of School

The school did a great job of sending our children off.  We were invited in to watch them "ringing the leaver's bell" - a tradition the school has.  (Because part of the school was built in the 1800s as an extension of the church it still has the original bell tower). Aside form ringing the bell, each child's class had a party for them and their teachers had organised cards for them and presents.  Naomi was given a recorder and the other two were given a (Jubilee) bear.  It was a great end to their year there - we have been very grateful for the way the school have embraced the children and how the children have had an impact there.

First week of Lasts

This week is a series of lasts for us:
Last week at school for the kids.
Last time we return our books to the library.
Last swimming lessons.
Last use of the gym.