Ahhh, aummer is in the air. This past week has been reaching into the 80s (I think we hit 90 on Thursday), so here is the pre-summer edition of what's going on in our lives...
Alec is wrapping up his first year of homeschooling. We have really enjoyed being home together. I think Alec has gained a lot from his year at home, and I know that I have had an immeasureable amount of joy getting to know him again. Next year we plan to continue with homeschooling as he enters high school.
Michael is also finishing up his first year of school, at Alliant International University. He's been amazing, taking two classes a semester, and doing really well in all of them. He will finish up this semester in a couple of weeks, take three off, and then it's back to the classroom for Summer Session.
In addition to school, Michael was invited to join Church Council this year. While it's a major investment of time, it's also an honor to be selected, and with prayerful consideration, he accepted. In the few months since his term has started he has already been asked to head a couple of tasks and committees. With his visibility on Council, he now has the opportunity to start the Men's Group at church that has been a goal of his since we began going to our church three years ago. He's REALLY excited about that.
I have continued in my volunteer work at the church with various youth programs. We are completing my second year teaching Confirmation classes next month, and I will wrap up my 7th and 8th grade Sunday School class in June. Michael and I are still planning activities for the Middle School Youth once a month--we just had a Game Night/Ice Cream Social. Our Youth Director, Elizabeth, will be going full time in July, and she will be taking over many of the activities that I have been planning. However, as I will continue teaching Confirmation classes and Sunday School, I plan to continue to be involved with those activities in a supporting role, to maintain my relationship with the youth. In addition, I will then be able to focus time and attention to the younger kids at our church who are sorely misrepresented when it comes to time and activities! This is an exciting time at our church!
I also have kept my Optician skills up-to-date by working one day a week for Dr McQuillan. They just keep pulling me back in! But that's okay, it'll give me something to do over the summer! Dr McQuillan just returned from his third trip to Romania, where he spent a week giving eye exams at an orphanage. For the second year, the youth at our church sent him with "Friendship Bags" for the kids. This year we sent a bag with a note, some Bible stickers, and a handmade "Friendship Bracelet." It was a wonderful opportunity for the youth to give back some of what they have been so wonderfully blessed with, and at the same time earn some of the Service Hours they need for Leadership or Boy Scouts!
That about brings us up to date to the end of April. Lots of stuff happening in May, so you'll have to check back often for all the late breaking news and information!
