Time for school

It's that time of the year. In the last few months Paul and I have been talking about putting Jonathan in school instead of homeschooling him. For now we thought it would be best for him right now in his life. Our base school is Heritage Elementary which is year round school. Therefore, July 9 was the first day of school. Jonathan only had to go to school that week for one day for evaluation. The 16th he started officially with the whole class. He has done so good. I really thought it was going to be rough taking him to his class, but he was great. He went right on in to his class and didn't look back. He loves it. I thank God for what He has done in Jonathan's life. His teacher says he is doing very good. We watched a video of what they do in class during Open House, and we were so proud of him. When the teacher ask the class a question he raised his hand and wanted to answer the question. For Jonathan that is an accomplishment. We love his teacher; she is wonderful. When I registered him for school, because I had not tested him after we finished kindergarten, the principle said he had to start in kindergarten. I was a little disappointed at first, but the more I thougt about it the more I saw it would be the best thing for him. Please continue to pray for him that he will continue to love school. And pray for Abigail also. She is not use to not having him around. She had a rough couple of weeks after he started. She was very sad because she missed him. She seems to be doing better now. Today was the beginning of Jonathan's track out. He went for 6 weeks and he is out for 3 weeks. Before he was out he already had his 3 weeks planned out-it was so funny. He was going to Nana & Papa's for 5 days, Grandma & Uncle Doug's for 5 days, and Myrtle Beach for 5 days. (Of course we can only do part of that, but it was nice to hear his plan.) Paul started classes last Thursday. Time to get into the swing of things. So here we go. I took some pictures of Jonathan when I picked him up from school and when I dropped him off for school. I hope you enjoy.

Our eventful week

Timothy enjoyed the fireworks as well as my mom. He watched them the whole time. The noise didn't bother him at all.

The fireworks

Cookout for the 4th (on the 3rd)

Abigail's birthday

This week has been eventful. On Tuesday we celebrated Abigail's 4th birthday. I cannot believe she is 4 years old already. Boy the time goes by way too fast. My mom came to be here with us on Abigail's birthday. That evening we had a 4th of July cookout with our neighbors/friends, and afterwards we went "up to the hill" across from the high school and watched fireworks. It was so much fun. I don't know what we will do if/when we ever move from here and there are no fireworks on the third; Abigail will be so confused (Wake Forest always does their fireworks on the third instead of the fourth. Therefore if you want to go to Raleigh and see the fireworks on the fourth you can.) We are showing our next door neighbor what seminary life is all about. He is now hooked-he wants to do some more cookouts. His family came to town for the fourth and that night we had pizza outside with them and their family and a neighbor from across the street. It was a lot of fun. Thursday night they invited us to come over and eat because they were cooking ribs on the grill. It was so good and a lot of fun. We love to just throw something together at the last minute and have friends over. Anyway, I left pictures of our week. Hope you enjoy.

Fun pictures

How do you like this? The men are playing ball in between the two apartments. I think at this time there was only one kid playing with them. This is what I call fun. (We miss you Big Jim and Ricky. You would have loved this.) Guess what the women were doing during this time? Watching children and "fellowshipping" (We miss you Amy and Laurie. We would have had fun also.

Timothy seemed to enjoy the beach again. This was his second trip. What is funny is Jonathan and Abigail did not go "in the water" until Timothy did. And when they did go they loved it.

We went to the Aquarium last weekend while we were at the beach and the kids loved it. Jonathan and Abigail loved the really large tank of fish.

We got a kick out of watching Timothy following the fish in the tank swimming around.

Humbleness and the cross

Today we experienced a special time with some special friends. In just a few months they will be headed to Costa Rica for 6 months and then on to Mexico for 3 years. Today our friend Mark was ordained as a minister. The whole process of being ordained is very humbling. Paul had the opportunity to sit on the panel for Mark's ordination and experienced a humbling moment reflecting on his own life. Watching Mark and Angie and their daughter today and knowing the journey they are about to embark on was humbling. Mark had a friend speak about him at the service today and spoke of the different journeys that the Dunn family have been on since becoming Christians. He had such powerful things to say. As I thought about their journey and thought about the journey we are on I'm quickly convicted. Mark and Angie were faithful servants in every aspect of their walk with God. Knowing all they have been through here at Southeastern they remained faithful to God and trusted Him with all their hearts even when they could not see sometimes where God was working. I don't think I could say that about my life. It seems this weekend I have been reminded a few times of the cross. In their life they looked hard at the cross. A new couple here at Southeastern helped to remind me of our time here and what God has done for us and how He brought us through these last 6 years. Worry is an issue that is a common issue in this lifestyle it seems. Again I was reminded of the cross. Our Pastor has mentioned so many times of looking to the cross, but this weekend it has ministered to me in such a powerful way. When we look at Romans 8:31-39 we see God's everlasting love. What can seperate us from the love of God? Nothing. If God is for us who can be against us? What a comfort. What a hope. What a joy. Why should I be distressed or cast down when I have the cross to look to. Romans 8:26-28 says that the Spirit helps in our weaknesses. For when I don't know what I should pray the Spirit Himself is interceding for me. We have seen times here when we don't know what to pray, but oh what a comfort that when we are weak and don't know what to pray the Spirit is interceding for us. In experiencing this weekend in such a unique way I am truly humbled and convicted of things that need to change in my life. "Oh God help us not forget the cross and what it truly means for us. Thank you for Your Son Jesus. Thank You that according to Romans 8:32 that You did not spare Your own Son but delivered Him up for us all. Thank You that You are for me, now help me to be for others and share Your love with all." Just as Mark's pastor encouraged him and charged him to pray for one hour each day, my heart was checked in my time with the Father. I pray that all who read this will take a moment and dwell on the cross and all that it represents.

More pictures from the beach.

Memorial day weekend we decided to go to the beach for the day. This was a much needed trip for me (Pam). Even though it was very, very busy it was still nice and peaceful. It always amazes me of how God created the ocean the way He did. I'm always reminded of His power when watching the waves and listening to the waves coming in and going out. Although Jonathan, Abigail, and I had been this season already, this was Timothy's first visit to the beach. He seemed to like the water after the first initial shock of the cold water. We had a lot of fun.

Now that school is out we get to do what we love to do here at seminary-have a cookout. Don't they look like they're having fun. (If you look close enough-Paul has a water hose in his hand-the burgers were "on fire".) This is our graduation cookout. One of the families is leaving very soon (a part of life here at Southeastern) to prepare to go to Mexico for 3 years. The other couple will be leaving sometime to go to Gordon-Conwell. "We are still here". (I don't have any pictures of the other families-just the kids.) Isn't that a cute pair of babies?