Miscellaneous Pics

Here are some fun pictures that show how we are spending our time:

Emma making a masterpiece outside on the picnic table bench.

THE FORT - it is still up today.  There are Christmas decorations hanging from the tree, sticks making a fence around it, a firepit, and a box of toys.The kids spent about 8 hours on Labor Day creating the fort.

Of course this sign does not apply to Luke.

I don't know what Luke was thinking here.  He wanted to wear his huskies as a belt?

Luke's first day of soccer!  He is SO fast on the field.  During the first game he was blocking the net and tearing across the field to try to get the ball.  He made two goals in the 2nd game and another two in the 3rd game.  There is a slight problem with his team - he is only one of two players who actually understand how to play soccer.  So most of the time it's 5 on 1 :)

A late surprise bloom from my hydrangea plant!  The previous blooms were all pink/green so this one was a great surprise.

I don't know whose idea this was - but somehow Luke and Amelia found matching pajamas and thought it was hilarious to dress alike.  I love blackmail pictures :)

First Communion

Today was a very special day in our family, Emma was admitted to the Lord's Table at Providence Pres. Church.  She prayed to receive Christ in her heart at the young age of 3, this past spring she participated in a Communicants class to learn more about communion and she memorized the Lord's Prayer and the Apostles Creed.  The elders then met with her to talk about her salvation.  She was the first person to be newly admitted to the Table at Providence.  She was allowed to choose a worship song to sing during the service and she chose "Prince of Peace"; she likes it when the men sing one part and the women sing another :)

 "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."  1 Corinthians 11:26

I love that verse.  The idea that every single time we partake in the Lord's Supper we are proclaiming His death, believing through faith in what He did on the cross.  And His people have been doing this for thousands of years.  We will continue until "that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom." (Matthew 26:29).  

For Emma, she was already saved before today's service.  She had already received forgiveness, His righteousness, His justification, and His grace.  Today she got to affirm that she has trusted only Christ for her salvation.  His body - the bread.  His blood - the wine.  How can we stop being thankful for such a sacrifice? 

More Dancing..

The kids have been having so much fun making up more dance routines, unfortunately to the same song!  These videos are pretty funny, especially the one with Luke singing.  Amelia shows us some fun gymnastics and I'm not sure where Emma learned some of her dance moves!

First Day of School...

Luke didn't want to feel left out.

Amelia at her desk (my camera was dying at this point)

Emma at her desk

When I picked up the girls at 3:00, both of them said they had a good day.  Emma's favorite parts were recess and lunch.  Amelia liked library time and recess.  They both said it was a long day!  They aren't used to being gone for so long.  Luke and I did some schoolwork, visited a friend, and read books.  We were excited when it was time to go get them, especially Luke since he wanted to play Legos with them.  I said that I could play Legos with him and he said that I don't know how :)

Esubalew

Esubalew Mengistu

Esubalew is our sponsored boy (man?) who lives in Korah, Ethiopia.  We have known him for two years now, his age is estimated to be 21 but he is in seventh grade this year.  He does not have any parents, and he has spent a considerable amount of time living in a trash dump.  We received his report card in the mail today and we are so proud of him!  He didn't miss a single day of school last year, and his grades in  Character Building were all A's.  Keep in mind that two years ago he was expelled from school for behavioral reasons :)  I'm sure he had a really rough time adjusting to his new environment after living as an orphan all of those years.  We love getting letters from Eusabalew, he always asks us to visit him, and we hope that one day we will.

Here are his grades for Character Building for last school year.

His semester grades for each subject and his yearly average.

School...

We are embarking on something new this year, sending both girls to school at Dayspring Christian Academy! This is the first time we've done this so it truly is a first day of school for everyone (including me).  The girls have new clothes, shoes, and every school supply you could possibly need.  Last night we spent about an hour organizing everything and writing their names on every single school item.

Massanutten

We went on vacation with Nanna and Pap-Pap to Massanutten, VA which is near Harrisonburg and JMU.  We spent a lot of time swimming, relaxing, and watching the Olympics.  

Joel and Luke relaxing.

The girls with their new stuffed animals.

Nanna and Pap Pap with their grandchildren.

The girls wearing some of their new school clothes!

Their fun new light-up shoes for school!

Frank

Of course the Huskies had to come with us, along with two new additions, Pandy and Fetch.

We also brought both American girl dolls, pillow pets, and baby dolls.  For a 4 day trip.