Medieval Feast and the End of the Semester

Well, we wrapped up another semester of school on the 10th of December.  To celebrate, we had a Medieval Feast with our Tapestry of Grace co-op!  It was so much fun and really took quite a lot of organization and "pulling together" on the part of us moms to pull it off!  Our FIRST Unit Celebration ever!!!!  Yahoo!  Hope we didn't set the bar too high...

We loved how the tables turned out, so pretty!

Guys just talking and getting along in the kitchen

Everyone had a great time chatting and spending time with each other

Happy to have grandparents in town to share our special time

Our table to display the children's "school stuff"....you can see some of Krypto's and Sissi's accomplishments here!

This side of the table shows Gwangi's projects and stories from the semester

The Barton's table

Some closer examples of their work

Hannah, explaining some things to Mrs. Munson (they're joining us next semester...yeah!)

Reid in his costume and showing us some of the really neat things he built this semester

Rachel and Knight Jacob displaying their work

Thankful to the Lord for an Amazing Weekend!

On Friday we were so blessed to have my sister, Kate, come over and graciously watch the kids for us while we took a short little "get away" together.  Friday was my birthday and we honestly just wanted a quiet night with no pretension...so, we went to dinner at Applebee's.  We got the "2 dishes and an appetizer for $20" deal and some drinks and we were pleasantly stuffed afterwards.

Since we were so close to the mall, we thought we would take a walk before we thought to settle down for the night...it was nice to just walk around and stop when we wanted and look at what we wanted to look at.  We met some friends from Indy's office in Borders and stopped to talk about things for a bit.  Indy's friend is getting ready to retire from the AF in January and he and his wife are figuring out what they want to do with their lives...the husband is actively interested in missions work, his wife...not so much....we wanted to talk more; but, the friends they were out on a double date with needed to go...so I felt later like an opportunity to minister to them was lost...I feel at times like we ramble...that we need to get to the point more quickly in order to capture people's attention and give them that vision of themselves in a ministry role.  Then, I remember, it isn't me...that situation was what God wanted it to be, there may be another time, we might just have been planting a seed, they may never decide to fill that role....it isn't my responsibility, a big thing for me to just let go!!!

We then took the drive over to Glen Eyrie, one of the many amazing castles here in Colorado...this one is run by the Navigators.  We were staying for two nights because so many people have recommended that we attend their famous Christmas Madrigal before we leave the area!  We stayed in the "Pink House", one of the many buildings all over the valley that General Palmer owned...a beautiful house built in the first part of the 20th Century....but he never lived in it....it was built after his death.

Our room in the Pink House

A view of the Pink House from across the street by the actual Glen Eyrie Castle

Walking up the steps to the Pink House

We loved our quiet room and were able to catch up on some reading that we had been needing to do together.  In the morning on Saturday, we SLEPT IN ;), and almost missed breakfast (it's only served until 9...we walked in at 5 'til).  After breakfast we went back to our room and read some more and then we went over to the Cave of the Winds for the infamous Lantern Tour!  It was different from the classic Discovery Tour and honestly, having done both now, stick with the Discovery Tour.  You get to see more and it isn't so dark and they won't spend all their time regaling you with all the old ghost tales, though some of them were pretty interesting, I'll be honest.

Some of the very awesome ceiling stalactites

Door to a tunnel that isn't open anymore

Indy by a "time capsule" built in 1981, to be opened in 2081...it says "God's Underground Gift to Colorado"

George Snider (original owner), used to write peoples' names on the rocks, and add them to a pile to see who was the more popular Civil War hero....Grant, Lincoln or Lee...  The tale goes that the Lee monument always falls down, even when they pick all the rocks back up and put them back in a pile ;)  Guess who Snider didn't like????

Called Snider's "Treehouse"...where he would escape when there were too many crowds on his tours.

Old tools and things left behind from excavations

The beginning of the tour sign!

We left Cave of the Winds and went and had wings and cheese sticks for lunch...yummy!!!!  One of our favorite together lunches!  Then we went fabric shopping...no really, Indy is such an awesome husband, he knows I don't like to plan projects and try to pick out fabrics with the kids around... I find it so distracting.  So, I got a whole 90 minutes to pick out a few patterns and buy Batik fabrics to make 3 skirts for me, 2 pairs of capris, 2 dresses for Sissi and a cute little top and skort set for her, for when we move to Tanzania...I was thrilled!

Then, we returned to our room and quite honestly, took a nap!!!!  Then it was time to get ready for the Madrigal.  It was a 4+ hour event with a 5 course meal, dancing, music, theatrics, pomp and circumstance...everything you could want in a Christmas presentation.  In short, amazing.  If you haven't been, GO!

One of the "couples" from the Madrigal Singers

Our third course "The Flying Fish"

Beautiful music

Outside of the castle, as we dropped off the car with the valet

The Lord and Lady of the Manor

We literally didn't get home and in bed until almost midnight...what a night!  Next morning was breakfast, some more reading and talking time and then a trip to the mall to get some lunch and a Christmas tree so we could surprise the kids when we got home...they were thrilled!

I am still processing so many of the things that we read through and talked about this weekend.  I'm working on being patient, on not taking on more than I can bear, on not planning out every single little detail until I'm stressed beyond all belief....etc, etc.  I have been agonizing over how to write and what to put in our Christmas letter.  I wanted it to be worded just right; but, I've been reminded in some of our readings that communication with our friends and family and supporters is important; but, don't so over-analyze everything that I forget about the relationship.  I LOVE people, always have and I need to remember to keep them first...do we want people to pray for us, absolutely, that is essential.  Will we need some people to support us financially, yes, we'll need to buy a car there, relocate and set up a new house, we'll need plane tickets there and back, etc. etc...should I worry about this, no...I need to work on my honest feelings towards people, putting them and their needs above my own and trust in the relationship that we all have with our Lord that people will want to be a part of World Missions, with and through us!  Not everyone feels called to go into missions and yet they are interested, they want to feel a part of a project and know that they are making a difference in the world and in people's lives.  Please pray that we don't take on the burden of picking and choosing our supporters.  I pray that God touches those people that are to be a part of our long term support team, whether is be through prayer alone, or prayer and finances.

"I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service" 1 Tim 1:12

and, a note from my Secret Sister arrived today with the following...

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him (our family) who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion (Africa), 'Your God reigns.'" Isaiah 52:7

Winterizing

This morning was so productive.  Sissi and I went out shopping and got some odds and ends at Walmart.  Then we ran over to Ross and got some sheets to put in our "Going to Africa" bin out in the garage.  We got some things for Khan at Petsmart and then went to Hobby Lobby to get our craft supplies for next week and more yarn to crochet a few more gifts.  Last stop was the Sunflower Market to pick up our turkeys (yes, plural ;)) and sandwich meat, cheese, eggs, produce, etc.  I splurged and got sushi for lunch and Sissi got to show off her use of chopsticks with the lady behind the counter who gave her some sushi rice...it was super cute!

We got home and after lunch we decided it was too nice of a day to not take advantage of it....we decided to winterize the backyard.  Now, this is something that is usually done by the end of October.  How is is that this year we have had no real snow yet and it is Thanksgiving next week?  In my mind, this is so strange!

Indy fixed a rung on the play set that had fallen out and he put a new piece of wood on the side that the kids had broken by standing on it several months ago.  I put all the chairs and tables away, took out the tomato plant stakes from the garden, added some stuff to the compost pile, and raked mulch...  All the while, I was thinking, I'm not going to be doing this next year.  I'm going to be living in a location that is 90 degrees, humid (I might have Orphan Annie hair there ;)) and there won't be a traditional (by American standards) "fall"!  This is one of my favorite times of the year, we absolutely love Thanksgiving and harvest time in this house.  We are always bummed when retailers seem to "skip" it and move right on from Halloween to Christmas.  Now, don't get me wrong, we're not big Halloween fans either and were so happy this year to do the Reformation Day Party at our house.  BUT, we do like to stop and take the month of November to remember what we are thankful for...for the founding of our nation, our freedom to be Christians, our wedding was in November (13 years soon), etc.

I guess I wonder what it will be like, will we miss the fall?  We can still celebrate Thanksgiving, no matter where we are, even without a turkey...it's all about our attitude and remembering what we are thankful for, it just might be different things that we're thankful for next year.  A new place to live and new friends.  I might even be thankful that I don't have to winterize my yard ;)...what do you think?  I could go for that!  I'll also remember that God is working a new thing in us, it isn't always easy; but, we're ready for it...

Isaiah 43:19 - See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

Our Family Photos

Thank you Courtney...if you're reading this, we absolutely love all the photos and it made it so hard to choose which ones....I'm putting quite a handful here for you all to view!  Let me know what you think!

A Provisional Invitation Received

So, what can I tell you, the school has decided that they are extending us a "provisional invitation"...of course, they told us several weeks ago that they wanted us; but, we're ALL still waiting on the Assemblies to complete their screening process.  We feel like we're joining the military all over again, it's amazing how much "stuff" they want/need to know about us!  Here is a copy of our good news:

Dear Indy,

The Hiring Committee has reviewed your application, resume, essays, and references and also spent time in prayer for you.  I have gotten an update from the Assemblies of God on your application and it sounds like it will be a couple more weeks before all clearances and approvals are granted. On behalf of this group, I wish to extend to you a warm welcome, provisional to your acceptance by Assemblies of God, to serve at Haven of Peace Academy beginning in August 2011.  We would have you teaming up with our current history teacher, Victor, and, between the two of you, teaching history to G6-12. 

We admire how you have a heart for the Lord and your pursuit of God’s will for your life in the present and in the future.  Your references gave us a solid positive review of you. 

So will you accept this invitation?  Feel free to take time to prayerfully consider this and let me know if you will accept this offer.  If you have any questions, please also feel free to ask. 

We are welcoming you to join HOPAC as we continue to provide an excellent education to the children of missionaries, Tanzanians, and an international student body representing over 30 nations.  HOPAC is making a profound difference with missions and in Tanzania’s development.  It’s a special place!!

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Jane Gruler-Johns
Personnel Coordinator
Haven of Peace Academy

A few pictures for you to view!

Gwangi, holding his Viking longboat that he made at our Tapestry of Grace (TOG) Co-op

Krypto playing YMCA flag football

Krypto playing Center...one of his favorite positions

Another shot of them running and playing the game

Distractions...

I can hardly believe that I let a whole month go by and didn't blog or update you at all....so I'll try to give you a quick "this is what is going on..." update!

We've been busy with school and co-op as I'm sure you all know; I'm teaching an Animal Kingdom and a Civil War class this semester at High Country, and there is definitely some prep work involved each week.  This year has also been a bit of a transition with both boys doing school.  Now that Gwangi is more streamlined into my schedule, Sissi has lost her playmate and that can make for some rough times as well.  She has really been stepping up to the plate though, she loves to string beads and put stickers on paper and color and cut and paste for her school work.  Her independence level has really been expanding as well.  Krypto had his last football practice and game of the season last week as well, so that has lightened our load a bit ;).

On the missions application front, we have been told by the school in Tanzania that their hiring board has approved us, they are waiting on final approval from the Assemblies of God before officially offering us the position though...and quite honestly, that could take some time.  The Assemblies Medical Co-ordinator has been out of the office and so they haven't really even started that part of the process.  The background checks have been completed and we've been approved at the District level, so it's moving along, just a bit slower than we thought it might.

So, distractions....our pastor spoke on this topic last week, specifically about Nehemiah and the rebuilding of the wall in Jerusalem after the exile, and we've been having quite a few distractions lately while we've been trying to focus on "building our wall".  There's been some family drama, as in some of our extended family not being overly thrilled with us going to Africa, and also in that they aren't getting along very well with each other.  I'll be honest, my patience level with this kind of drama and self-centeredness is wearing thin.  When you allow it to do so, it can consume you, and I believe it can make you physically ill (proof, my headache and stomachache for a day after some conversations with family members).  Are we supposed to let other people's issues and concerns affect how we follow God's leading in our lives...I would say emphatically, NO!  When there is a call, a definite leading from the Lord to do something, you are obligated to follow Him.  What I find most frustrating of all though, is when these "distractions" are from fellow believers...those that I would expect to be our staunchest supporters.  Our district pastor recommended we read a book, I've downloaded it to my Kindle PC app and have opened it several times, I need to get past the Table of Contents ;)....it's called "The Bait of Satan" and it deals with how the issue of offense can lead us astray in our walk with the Lord and can affect our ministry.  I am sure that is what is going on here...we have a higher level of expectations out of fellow believers and when they let us down and cause us to be "distracted" from what we know we are supposed to be doing, our righteous indignation can quickly become offense and anger.  I could really use some prayer and support in handling these situations in the light of the Lord.

On the home front, we have been busily canning apples and pears, cleaning up the yard for the winter, purging the house for our garage sale, planning a Reformation Day Party, putting in paperwork for next semester's classes at High Country, sewing shirts for the boys, working on scarves as gifts, catching up on scrapbooking, and just keeping up with school, laundry, and life.  I do need to download some of the latest pictures and maybe I can do that in a separate blog entry.  We love you all so much and are thrilled that you are keeping us, and our needs, in your prayers.  God Bless you all, and I won't let another month go by without touching base, promise!