summer leadership project

 

More lockdown hightlights (Jeff's update).

almost halfway there

 

Update Highlights! We have 41% of our support in!  And... 24 degree weather is probably too cold for camping! Oh well, hindsight is 2020.  We (me, Amy, and Everett) took advantage of the long weekend to head up to Spartanburg, SC to visit Braden at college. He got us tickets to a home basketball game on Friday - Wofford vs. Furman, and on Saturday we set out for Keowee-Toxaway State Park in Sunset, SC for some camping. The temperature dropped down to 25 degrees on Sunday night, but we survived and had a great time with him and his girlfriend, Aniah. Everett, however, continues to remind me that I fell on the trail and had a short slide down a hill.  Support raising continues to build our faith. Earlier this week I was reading in Genesis 50 about Joseph's brothers' fear that he would do harm to them after their father died. Joseph replied, "Do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones." And I thought, if Joseph makes a promise like this, surely God's promise is much greater. Then today I read, "how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!" God is teaching us to trust him and not our own means! It's true in our parenting, in support raising, in our personal transformation. God, teach us to trust you!  In the past month our support has increased by 10%! And we've met with many others who plan to partner with us. And, as if that weren't enough, God has blessed us recently with two supporters joining our monthly support team unprompted by us! As we work toward a July departure, all giving received is counting towards our one-time moving expenses. So, thank you for your generous gifts! Prayer requests:  that we'd walk by faith as we invite the remaining partners God has for us to join our team. that we'd quickly break the 50% threshold!  that the kids (and Amy) could stay strong in school in this transition, for Simon to thrive in his last semester before graduation, for me to finish well at work, and for us as we move toward selling the house and packing up our things!  Pledge Now

Real-Deal Hospitality

 

What difference do you make? A BIG ONE.

I was reading 3 John this morning and thought of you all. Your support to us (as travelers to Brazil) reminds us of God's love for us. And in supporting us, you become our companions in spreading the Truth. Thank you!  A friend asked on Monday how support raising was going and I said we were at 24%. She quickly pointed out that we are a quarter of the way there! Keep praying for more "companions."

A Quick Visit from Wofford We had a great visit with our eldest, Braden, this weekend who is currently in his 2nd year at Wofford College. Some quick facts on Braden and a prayer request:   He's a government major (but is also enjoying his accounting class).  Works as an intern in the admissions office.  Just started an intramural soccer team (they play their first match tonight against a group of guys from the cross country team!).  Please pray for Braden to finish the semester strong and for some special, un-rushed time with the Lord during the busyness of the end of the semester.

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Fun? Run

This past week or so the kids have been involved in the Boosterthon Fun Run at their school. It's your basic fun run (pledge per lap) with a few modifications. Braden and Simon really went after it, especially the financial side. They were ready to go door-to-door until I stopped them. Braden tried to get a $25 per lap pledge, but settled for $1 from Poppy.

The boys did run the 35 lap limit. I was pleased that they ran most of the time, except when they paused to play their air guitar or to do their best Nate Robinson impersonation.

The fun run finished up yesterday for us when we combed the neighborhood to get donors to pay up. We'd just collected from our friends Brittany and Allen when the boys--on their bikes--left Lucy and I behind. Not a minute later I can hear Simon's screams bouncing off the houses in our little subdivision. I rounded the corner and he's sprawled in the road holding his knee. Apparently, he tried to ram Braden's back tire only to get tripped up. He skinned his knee up pretty nice and even went to the next house with blood running down his leg. That's one way to collect your pledges, I guess.

bumper boats and laser tag

Braden had a blast for his birthday, running and screaming in the laser tag room, splashing water on everyone on the bumper boats and going through tokens like they were Monopoly money.

The Big NINE

Braden turns nine today. Nine! Just as a snapshot to remember "these days" by here is a glimpse into Braden's day-to-day:

1. He just read The Lord of the Nutcracker Men and loved it. It's a novel set in WWI from the perspective of a 10 year old. He loved it so much that he's got me reading it now.
2. He's collecting Pokemon cards. I'm not actually sure what you're supposed to do with them, but he and Simon are big into having battles and trading them with Collin.
3. He and his brother wake up at 7 a.m. to take turns playing Animal Crossing on the Wii.
4. Last night we went out for ice cream and Braden was dying to order the Banana Split. We let him indulge, but he didn't finish it.
5. He won the Christian Character award this year at school. One student is chosen from each grade.
6. He's supposed to go to summer camp for the first time this year, but unfortunately he's on the waiting list. It's the same camp, Camp Victory, that I worked at while in high school.

So, Happy Birthday, Braden! We love you.

sold-out

I've lost my motivation to post lately considering our camera broke. We were walking around Gatlinburg when (shortly after I took the picture from the last post) I managed, clumsily, to drop the camera on the sidewalk. The camera was on when I dropped it, so it fell directly on the extended lens. So, it doesn't want to extend and retract anymore. I've been twice to Best Buy to look at a new one and both times it's been sold out (as has the Wii Fit).

We are back in full gear with school, my FSU classes, and basketball (both the boys are playing). Braden's first game is tomorrow and Simon has his second game on Thursday. Simon didn't score last week but he hustled and dribbled and passed well. But I was most pleased with his attitude. He showed a considerable improvement from last year, which only further proves my theory (or was it Amy's theory) that once Simon figures out he can do something, he goes full force. Before that it's like pulling teeth.

festivals and tigers

Grace Christian Academy (the school where the kids go and where we work) recently held its annual fundraiser, Winter Festival. The kids had a blast. There was a giant slide that Simon wasn't so sure about coming down. An inflatable boxing ring. A massive tricycle course (Braden said he couldn't even reach the peddles on the trikes they were so tall). Lucy got her face painted. She reminded us several times that it was a boy tiger face and not a girl one.

pumpkin heads

Taking pictures of pumpkin heads... fun. Shopping for furniture with pumpkin heads... not fun.

hallow-weaned

First, no more candy, please. Unless it's Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. If your unclear about the characters in the picture, on the left we have Snow White with a twist (watch out, she's got a microphone). In the middle it's Storm Trooper with a super, improved rifle with bazooka attachment. And on the right, Luke Skywalker with an old, Obi-Wan lightsaber.

Unfortunately, Simon learned some new tricks for trick-or-treating. Instead of "trick or treat" when he knocked on the door, he said "Git r done," thanks to his friend Jon, who was dressed as Larry the Cable Guy, pocket knife and tattoos included.

declaration of "friendipendence"

message from Braden:

All 3rd and 1st will not fight at reeses any longer or else! Anyone who disobeys will be arrested by M.D. on the playground. Especially Mason and Zoey they will be punished much more severely. Sined:

B.D., E.P.B, Simon D, Spence, John Y., Jared

summertime blues

Summer is officially over. This weeks marks the kids' first full week back, which means homework, and early bedtimes. Simon is still using a removable cast (he left it at school yesterday). In just another week or so we find out if it's healed up completely.

I'm on the job hunt. Any takers? I'm putting in applications now around town and even some nearby. Maybe I could just get paid to blog.

pictured above: Braden and Simon with John Adams at the city pool. Simon had to stay clear of the pool to keep his cast dry. Did I ever tell the story of Simon at the beach this summer... the time he didn't keep it dry?

Braden and snake

My cousin just forwarded me this picture of Braden... not everyday you get an out-of-the-blue email with a picture attached of your son, who-knows-where, holding a snake . It looks like he enjoyed it though, and he made it home okay from school.

Braden's prize

Braden won first place in the literary competition for the Bainbridge Artsfest. He still hasn't let me read the story--he says it's about a zoo. He'll be rewarded today at Bainbridge College.

employee #4236

Who knew shredding paper paid so well? It wasn't though the hundreds Braden had imagined getting.

front nine

Braden and I played golf yesterday at Pines Golf Course with Collin Woodrum and his dad John. It was Collin's birthday. Collin and Braden are in second grade together and big buddies. It was Braden's first time to play and he did great. He really enjoyed it and wanted to go back out today. Unfortunately we lost our best-ball match on the last hole, last putt.