More updates

Jathan looks like he will be able to graduate this December! Yeh! We are happy about that, because it saves quite a few buckaroos. He will be lacking one class for med school, but hopes to find an opportunity to take it in the spring. He has been able to run cross country this week, and is healing well. I haven't heard about how Bridget has done this week.

Kesse started classes yesterday, and we haven't heard yet how that is going. She has some science classes, I believe, which make her nervous, but are very good for her :).

Kyrie loves her Calculus class and her chemistry class, and while she like her biology, she thought the teacher was a bit monotone. She's looking forward to lab!

Kayren has risen to the "queen bee" status now that Kyrie is gone. I came home yesterday to the wonderful smell of Pine-Sol which means she cleaned the kitchen floor! Hoorah! It has been a very long time since it has been mopped. Kayren cleaned the whole thing, and it looked and smelled great!

Susan came over last night, and she, Aleya and Rebecca and I worked together to get the wallpaper up in Aleya's room. We finished in a little over an hour! It was great. Now, more painting, and some trim, and her room will be set. I'll try to get some pictures soon.

Lorien is getting used to high school work (lots more homework with spontaneous quizzes), and practices volleyball four days a week. She likes her classes and teaches, and the students too. We are trying to get more specifics out of her.

Aleya is getting used to her new schedule. We're testing the waters with her curriculum as I come off of the encouragement from A Well-Trained Mind. We are doing a lot more oral work, and dictation and such.

Well, I need to get back to work here at Faith. Oh yes - and the Cubbies! Aren't they doing well? They might actually go to the World Series this year! How exciting!

The joy of irons

Who would have thought? When you send your children off to college, this interesting phenomenon occurs. Suddenly, all of the regular tools for family living become individualized - or better worded - confiscated! Most of the time, I don't really care because these items are replaceable. However, there are a few items that I find myself strangely attached to, not because they are so grand, but because we have this understanding. I have this strange relationship with my iron. I know how hot it gets, how quickly; which setting to use for each particular shirt or skirt; and have become quite satisfied with its function.

Each of the last few years, when Jathan, Kesse and now Kyrie have left home, they have taken my iron with them. This is good - because it gives the parent the hope that their offspring really will iron something, and will actually care if something is too wrinkly to wear. However, in my old age, I am breaking in a new one, and I have realized that I AM old and grumpy about such things. Who would have thought? In the end, though, I find that the toil of ironing clothes, early in the morning, with a new iron, really brings the opportunity to be thankful to the Lord, for children in college, who have irons to use, on clothes that we have been given in abundance, and that I have the wherewithal to be able to get another one!

Blog to Kyrie

Hello sweet daughter.

I am so thankful that you are able to attend Grove City this year. Indeed, as I have posted, the college is beautiful. I pray that the teaching there is as biblical as the landscape beautiful.

Know that we are praying for you as you start this new year.

We are most grateful for you knowing Christ, and the hope, joy and peace that comes in being His child. Have a wonderful year!

Dad and Mom

More pictures!

What a beautiful college!















This picture turned! I'll have to see if I can go back and turn the others.

















I am not sure what all these buildings are, and Kayren doesn't remember.












What lovely walkways!













And of course, Tom's favorite - the bookstore!

Pictures at Last!

Grove City College!













I couldn't get this one to turn, but it was beautiful!




























Kyrie and Aleya walking.












Lots of bikes on campus.











Kyrie made it safely, and thankfully, Tom and Kayren and Aleya made it safely home.

What a beautiful college!

College progress and basement progress

Well - Kyrie made it to Grove, and I have heard that the camera is returning with lots of pictures.  Apparently Grove was started in the 1800's and the buildings are absolutely beautiful.  As they built new buildings, they retained the style of the original buildings.  Tom said it was beautiful.  Her roommate is Hillary, and Tom said she is very sweet.  

Kyrie called twice to let us know that things are going well.  She is tired and went to bed.  First night at college!

Tom called a couple of hours ago.  It's 11:30, and he's hoping to be home in the next half hour.  He is so exhausted!  We are trying to find another way for Jathan to get to school so that Tom doesn't have to drive another 9 hours on Sunday!

Lorien's room is almost done.  It needs baseboards, but I haven't the funds for such, so it will probably not have them for a long time.  But, her walls and floor are done!  I got the top part of Aleya's painted tonight in hopes to finish it on Saturday.  She'll be excited to come home to a green room.  

So, all the sheet rock is up.  Two of the three rooms left have been mudded twice, but one hasn't been mudded at all.  We are still missing two closet doors, though they will probably be on hold for a while.  

Each day, I try to get a little bit more done, but it's hard to work on construction after a full day at work.  It's coming along.  

Pictures later!

First Week of School

We are ending our first full week of school. It has been a good week, and we are thankful for all the students that we have. Each semester presents a different group who all need the same thing - an education and Christ. I think this semester that some of our students may already be believers, but we are challenged to encourage each one to live for the Lord, and the make the gospel known to them all. Please pray for us as we work with these young people.

Tom and the girls had a very LONG trip to Grove yesterday. They didn't arrive until 10 p.m. after leaving at 6 in the morning. Tom was very tired. They are dropping Kyrie off this morning, and then heading right back home. Kyrie is excited and nervous about starting school.

Lorien went to "Break Away" this weekend at Grandview. The high school students spend two days at the baptist camp up north. It is supposed to be a really good time, and a good beginning for the school year. She is a little bit worried about her classes. She has some harder ones this semester.

Kesse and Jathan are packing today and tomorrow, though Kesse will still be working today. Then they are leaving this weekend to head back to college. They are excited about the new year, though Kesse said her semester will be quite challenging. She has several science classes and one math class (not her favorite). Jathan is trying to finish up this semester and graduate, to save money and give options for the spring.

Jathan and Bridget are healing, though, as expected, it will take some time to get back to normal. I think that Jathan wants to push things a bit and be better before he actually is better, but it is good to see that his knees are working fine. Bridget's wrist is still bothering her quite a bit, and though it wasn't broken, it may have other issues. Please pray for her healing as she is supposed to give her senior piano recital at the end of this semester. She will be in a splint for at least two weeks.

Tom and Kayren and Aleya should get home this evening. Tom really wanted me to play hookie from school so that I could come with them. I was sad to miss sending Kyrie off to college.

First full week of school

We started our first full week of school, as did Mary Kathryn and Adam, I see. Lorien started today and won't be done with volleyball until 5:30, so I have a little bit of time to get some work done here.

Jathan was screened by the family doctor this morning, and given a mostly happy nod of approval for running this fall. He needs to come back on Friday so that Dr. Kamhawy can check his knee one more time, but he seems to be doing fine.

We are thankful for God's provision for Jathan and Bridget beyond words. He is so gracious and kind to give us more time with them.

We have a lot to do in getting the kids to college this week and settling in for the school year.

I had better get started on Aleya's schedule now!!

Jathan and Bridget's recovery

Jathan and Bridget are recovering, and after a very sore day yesterday, they are both going to get a family physician appointment to check out whatever might have been overlooked in the emergency room.

Jathan is there this morning checking out his knees, to make sure that he can still run this semester.

I think that they were tired and very sore, but Lord willing, they are on the recovery path.

Thank you for your continued prayers for them.

God's Mercy and Grace

No pictures yet, but once again, we have been reminded very amazingly of God's mercy and grace to His people.

Earlier this evening, Jathan and Bridget were taking a motorcycle ride and yes, they had a severe wreck.  He was on the freeway going about 65 mph in the far left lane when the car in front of him slammed on brakes and swerved into the lane beside him.  Directly in front of him was a stalled car in the left lane on the freeway and he was boxed in.  When he slammed on his brakes, the bike skidded back and forth until he just laid it down.  Jathan and Bridget skidded on the pavement for about 25-30 feet, and the bike went underneath the stalled car.  

When I got to the scene, I couldn't believe that either one of them was even alive.  They were both standing and talking to the police.  There were motorcycle parts all over the freeway.  The wrecker had to jack up the car to get the bike out.  If they had stayed on the bike, I don't think that they would have lived.

Bridget sustained road abrasions to her hand, arm, knees and ankle, along with some severe bruising to her leg, and Jathan had abrasions as well on his hands, knees, and one on his hip.  Jathan's right knee is still a  question - possible torn ligaments or tendons, and Bridget might have some other injuries as well, but for now - no concussion, no broken bones, no internal injuries, and no neck or back breaks for either of them.  The Lord is so gracious!

I was reminded again of the shortness of life, and that it is truly a gift from the Lord.  What a different day this could have been.  How amazing that we were able to bring Jathan home from the hospital tonight.  

We are ever thankful!

School begins

School begins today at Faith Academy. We are registering students this week. I am still working on the basement sheetrock, but will start school at home this coming week. Lorien starts next Monday. Kesse leaves next Friday. Kyrie leaves on Wednesday, and Jathan leaves sometime? Lots happening.

We had a wonderful reunion with the families, and the recital was great.

We are very thankful for all the visiting we were able to do this summer.

It is so encouraging to see how the Lord is working!

Reunion

Kesse holding Hans.  What cuties!

Dad sleeping.  Happy birthday!

Aunt Sarah working in the kitchen with Lorien in the background.

This is Edmund.  He belongs to Sarah and Lane.  He reminds me a lot of the twins when they were young.

Here is Susan cutting up pineapple.  We are so thankful to have her in the family!

The camera battery died at the beginning of the reunion, so we didn't even get pictures of all the cousins and aunts and uncles that came.  We were able to see Doug and Tim and their wonderful wives and children.  We hadn't seen them for 19 or 20 years.  The whole weekend was so enjoyable!  The Lord was very gracious to allow so many to come and visit.  We are very thankful for His mercy and kindness!

Lots of recital pictures! 

Kyrie and Mrs. Alex performing their duet.

Lane and Adrian playing 

"Raising the Barn" from the Witness.

Dad really likes this song!

Lauren is playing a piece and Aleya is turning the pages.

Kyrie playing Chopin.

This was her best piece!

Adrian playing his original composition.  This one was lots of fun.

This is Sarah playing the harp, very pregnant.  She did a beautiful job!

Eight hand "Hallelujah Chorus"!  What fun!

Kyrie played with Adrian, and Lorien and I played all together.  

The recital was wonderful and we so enjoyed all the people who participated and helped to make it happen.  Kyrie had a great time!