Last day in Brookes...

Our last day in Brookes was blur.

I was looking forward to a leisurely day, surrounded by good friends and good food; but, as the song says, 'Two outta Three ain't bad." Tanya and Andriy were coming to town and planned to spend our last day with us! The night before we were talking about what we wanted to eat for our last meal in Brookes. We went back and forth between rice dishes and pancit. But then Tanya said, "You know what sounds good? Pierogies." "YES, Please!! That sounds perfect!" Ok....so pierogi's are not necessarily a Filipino menu item...but we've enjoyed 3 months of Filipino food...I think we've paid our due :) 

So early the next morning Tanya showed up with all the ingredients to make Pierogies. "Ok, but in order to do this, you girls are going to have to help me." She told us at the start. "No problem, we've got nothing better to do." was our reply. After all, we only had a couple things left to throw in our suitcases till we were completely packed. (......sorry Tanya :/....) 

I mashed the potatoes....that was the extent of my help in the kitchen that day. :/

After packing the rest of our stuff, we remember that we had to run into town to get a couple souvenirs. Quick 10 minute job, right? Ha, ha. We stopped by a couple different shops and then did a quick walk by the sea shore, then had to stop and say goodbye to Michel and Andrew. Finally after an hour of walking around town, we walked back to the blue house for our last 5 hours in Brookes. 

When we arrived, we were happy to see some special guests had dropped by. Baby Samantha and Baby Allison along with their father and one of their older brothers had stopped by. I learned that baby Allison had a fever of 40 C/ 104 F. I went to hold her and she was so hot you could warm milk on her forehead. We learned that their mother, Norvena, hadn't been doing so well. She isn't able to take care of the kids anymore, leaving Dad to either make arrangements or not go to work, which in return, starves the whole family. 

Meanwhile, the babies aren't getting as much milk as they need and the milk they do recieve is generic and does not give them the nutrients they need, so they are becoming more malnourished everyday. We donated some money to get them a box or so of formula, it will only last them about 3 weeks, but its a start. We made up a bottle and brought it over to little Samantha, she practically grabbed the bottle right out of Shielah's hand, she was SOO hungry. :( 

Roy and Shielah went to town to buy baby Samantha and Allison some medicine, while I attempted to calm Allison and feed her, and LeAnne worked hard, to make up the end of our bargain, by helping Tanya. Baby Allison went down pretty easily, but Samantha was still fussing a little bit. So laid Allison down on the bed and I attempted to do the same for Sam, didn't work out as easily. :/ Then EJ, JM, and Angela came home from school and helped to entertain her, so she finally stopped crying.

Finally we were able to put both babies down and enjoy a nice lunch together. The pierogies turned out PERFECTLY, Shielah also made a Filipino egg roll, which was one of our favorite foods here. We spent most of our time before, during, and after lunch trying to get a picture of JM, but that little boy was being so stubborn. LOL, But it was fun trying! :)

After lunch, we said goodbye to the babies and family, My "internal mom" started freaking out when I saw how the babies were transported to and from town. The family rode in the tricycle, and the babies were laid on the metal seat of the side car. :( After prayer for a safe travel home, I said my goodbyes to my namesake baby and watched them drive away, my heart just breaking. I pray God will provide a way for me to help them grow up and live a comfortable life in someway.

After that we said goodbye to the kids, as they had to return to school. They were so giggly and giddy, they were more interested in taking silly pictures (with the exception of JM who wouldn't take ANY pictures, lol.). It was almost as if it were any other day...and at that moment, it was fun to pretend that it was just any other day. Finally they all climbed on the motorcycle with Andriy to drive back to school, and just like that, our precious gems drove out of our life.

Roy wanted a picture on his motorbike...lol.

Afterwards, we went inside to made the finishing touches on our packing and then Roy, Shielah, Tanya, and Andriy walked us to the shuttle station. As we headed out the door of the Blue Apartment, it began to rain...as if to set the mood for the rest of the day. :(

We loaded our things into the shuttle and then said our final goodbyes. After a prayer, hugs, and a few tears, we finally climbed into the shuttle for our long, and Last of many, 4 hour shuttle drive to Puerto. While driving, I was trying to think of where the day went...how can 9 hours of your life, slip by without you realizing, and suddenly become a memory? If today taught me anything, it is this.....Goodbyes STILL really suck :(

"Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you."

~2 Corinthians 13:11