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So what is the significance of that day? Who was born on that day? The noted Italian political philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli and author of The Prince celebrated his birthday on May 3. At the other end of the spectrum, James Brown the "Godfather of Soul" celebrated his birthday on May 3rd. If all goes according to plan--unless she comes on her own--our fourth child will be born on May 3. Being that this is still considered an at risk pregnancy, and also being that both Mother and child continue to progress along very healthily, the doctors have decided to reduce any further chances of risk and induce this pregnancy into delivery. This is scheduled for Monday May, 3, 2010. As most of you know, we are currently Stateside, in Maryland, so unlike Daniel , our daughter will be, to quote Bruce Springsteen, "Born in the U.S.A.!" Actually she will be born in the same hospital that Eric and Faith were born, Howard County General . So things are about to get more exciting a...

Today was an historic day in the Anasco family, Daniel attended his first (of many I am sure) major league baseball game. And like Eric and Faith, his first baseball game was at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. We have been Orioles fans for years. I know they have been bottom dwellers in the American League East for several years in a row; however, you have to be true to your team. Unfortunately, they lost to the Blue Jays--ugh a Canadian team! And why is a Canadian team in the American League--but, I digress. We still had a picture perfect day at the ballpark, we enjoyed the day with Patty (Chris' sister) and her son Ryan, and other friends. Dan really enjoyed the game once he finally realized that he was watching baseball rather than actually playing in the game. Enjoying the game with cousin Ryan and friends. Dan's first major league hotdog, and as most of you know, hotdogs taste the best at a baseball game.

We are enjoying some vacation time with Chris' family--her mom, her dad, and her sister's family. We usually take a week long vacation with them whenever we are Stateside. This year we are enjoying visiting the Great Smokey Mountains in Tennessee. Even though it has been nearly two years since I have driven (we don't have a car in the Philippines), I love taking a road trip. America is a vast and beautiful land, and I enjoy driving to visit different places. For Easter Sunday we enjoyed a nearly three mile hike in the Smokey Mountain National park. We climbed all the way to Laurel Falls Or course I can never get away from doing some work, even while on vacation. Our resort has free wireless Internet, see my temporary office below: I love the view.

I posted this last year on this day. I am posting this again: March 28, 1995, a day that changed me forever. I was in the Philippines then, in a remote area of Mindanao called Tagoloan, near the bigger city of Cagayan de Oro. I was in the Philippines on a missions internship, working as an associate pastor with a network of local churches. A man approached me telling me that he has been instructed to inform me that I needed to be at the airport in Cagayan de Oro at a certain time that afternoon, I was to meet an arriving passenger (I had no idea who, but I was told that they would know me), and there I would receive further instructions. It all sounded kind of mysterious to me, but I told the stranger that I would be at the airport at the assigned time. The pastors I was working with agreed to accompany me. I went about my business of the day. We were starting to work on doing Camp Sonshine with the churches there. I had counselor training in the morning, and then we were going to vi...

I have been in-country for about a week, and honestly I am experiencing some reverse culture shock. It is odd to feel like a foreigner in your home country, but that is exactly what's happening. For example the other day I went to get gas at the gas station and for a moment I froze because I didn't know what to do. Also driving is kind of weird, especially when I am used to walking or riding jeepneys or taxis (where someone else is doing the driving). However the best part of being Stateside is reconnecting with family, friends, and loved ones. The other day Chris and I took Danny and his cousin, Marissa, to Chick-fil-A. They are so cute together--they are both three years old. The really enjoy being together, giggling and telling jokes, and just playing and interacting. Marissa LOVES ranch dressing (like a Texan loves ranch dressing), she dips everything in ranch. Even grapes. Of course, no visit at Chick-fil-A would be complete without a visit to their huge play place. This i...

I am finally reunited with my family in the States. I am holding them tight and never letting go. Thanks for all those who held us tightly in your prayers during this time. We will be Stateside until July. We look forward to seeing many of you during these next few months.

It is over, the internship is now completed. The interns leave the Philippines in a few hours, and I will finally be reunited with my family soon after. This has been the most challenging of times, especially since I have been away from the people I love the most for so long. The only thing that would keep me away from my family like this is my purpose. This is my purpose, to serve others, to help others grow, to help students grow into full-time missionaries. The biggest thing I have learned from this experience (other than to never be away from my family this long again) is that EVERYTHING can be a learning experience. Every situation, every problem, every challenge, can be an opportunity to grow. I hope I take this lesson and apply it to the rest of my life. It has been an honor to serve these incredible interns--now missionaries. Now it's time to be with my family.