Thoughts...

 Yesterday, I helped out a bit with the on-line school work, finishing up a bit after soccer practice. He's doing well.

I attended my Mom's Wednesday Bible study where we just started the book Live No Lies by John Mark Comer. This is going to be a hard book to read I think because it's very thought provoking and the vocabulary. 

I've been working hard this year with various counselors and books to identify the lies that I use with myself when I talk in my head, one's I've had my whole life and that need to be replaced with the Lord's truth.

I even take the time to think about them, write them down and try to then write the truth.

This is especially important when I've over reacted over something relatively small. 

I'm thankful that the Lord is helping me with this.

He is helping me to 'declutter' my mind and life of negativity, discouragement, worries, and stress replacing them with hope, joy, encouragement, faith, and love. 

I have also been watching some shows on physically decluttering and organizing. 

I try every time we transition to or from Michigan to declutter and organize. 

Simpler is better for my mental health and it often takes a while and multiple times to get rid of stuff.

Over the years I've also gotten better at not brining in new items unless both functional and thought provoking. 

Even with being intentional the last few years we've still ended up bring a couple car loads to the donation center! 

This makes me happy and makes it easier for the guys to find things that they need as well. 

We also need to start to use up items in the kitchen/pantry because Eli eats very simply and specifically and so we don't want to leave a lot of stuff in the cupboards when we finally do return to Zambia. 

I continue to work to get some extra calm in my life..margin so I can deal with things better, along with eating healthy, regular exercise, rest, and seeing the good in life. 

I also continue to work on my medical education requirements. I did finish this quarter's work a couple weeks early so until October 1st when the last quarter for the year starts I can focus on finishing up a few things on Mom's to-do-wish-list as well as sorting/declutter/organizing.

I've also been intentional about appreciating this time to do 'normal' mid-west, USA type activities that are not normal in my life and that I didn't really think I would be able to do.

• Attending public high school soccer games and yelling encouragement for my favorite player!
• Driving my child to school and sporting events.
• Driving my mom to medical appointments, caring for her after hip surgery.
• Just enjoying attending the same church in the USA for weeks and getting to know some of the folks better.
• Harvesting and enjoying the garden bounty as well as local orchard produce.
• Attending a Life Surge with my 3 men. Especially enjoyed Nick Vujcic, Willie Robertson, and Ed Mylett. 

Sept. 9 Routine..... healing, soccer, and more.

 Life is returning to a more 'normal' schedule now that my Mom needs less help post-surgery.  

This week she not only attended church with us but also joined us at a friend's last night for a potluck and watching the Allegan County Fair Parade, a long-running family tradition. 

Not sure we'll actually make it to the fair-will see how we're all feeling by Friday night. 

Tomorrow we head for her post-op visit with the orthopedic surgeon and she's hoping for permission to transition to her cane, leaving the walker behind.

School, soccer, to-do list....and enjoying the weather fill each weekday.

I'm excited to have passed the 1/2 way mark for my longitude family practice board exam which consists of 300 questions over 3-4 years. Just two more questions for this quarter and then only 25 until the end of the year.

Anna's also getting her routine of work and life figured out in California. Slowly putting her mark on her office and apartment. 

The garden produce allowed us to share zucchini and lots and lots of sweet cherry tomatoes.

While I enjoy the fall season and clouds, I did not enjoy last week's soccer game in the cold rain!

Friday we're planning a 'family work day' with my brother and sister-in-law to get a couple bigger items off the to-do list.

It will be 2 years since my Dad passed away and we know he would approve of a work day. 

Looking forward to attending Life Surge in Grand Rapids with the guys on Saturday.

The Bible College students in Zambia are returning for the start of classes.

Haiti school starts a bit later and at least one of the Kids Clubs is planning to help needy students with some school supplies.

The watchman at Delice continues to need prayers for his safety.

In the past sometimes they have bought school supplies wholesale to help the kids and stretch funds. 

Eli's birthday peanut pie.

Zambia corn harvest and family update

 

Last week at Jembo, a corn sheller was rented and the corn shelled, which allowed the measure of yield.

Low yield resulted from the poor rainfall pattern and damage from livestock.

 An important accomplishment of the project that we celebrate is that farming the land affirims that the mission continues to own the land. 

The El Nino/La Nina cycle, close to neutral, should provide normal rainfall for Zambia's rainy season. 

With the experience gained last season we anticipate a stronger potential for a good harvest next year.

Even with the low yield we praise the Lord that there was a small harvest following the privious year's serious drought. 

We also remain gratiful for everyone who supported the agricultural project that blessed so many families who were able to earn some cash by helping out with the various stages of land preparation, planting, weeding, harvest and shelling. 

Part of the harvest.

Can you imagine if it had to be shelled by hand?!

Online school to join the soccer team!

Kris continues to help her mom during her recovery from hip surgery.

Anna is settling into her post law school job and life.

Eli continues to work, as we enjoy our time with him.

We also enjoy seeing other family and friends.

For monthly e-mail updates and prayer requests let us know your contact information! 

Happy Labor Day weekend. 

Anna and more

Our mouse hunt weapons.

 A huge thank you for everyone who prayed for Anna during her two day California Bar exam. We are all very thankful for the support and that it is behind her.

Results are due to come out November 7, at 6 p.m. so a long time to wait, however, she will be busy learning and working.

Following the bar she moved her summer stuff to her new apartment and then flew back to Michigan for this week of family time!

We've enjoyed lots of hugs, talks, movies, and food; visited with family and friends; attended church, cousin's breakfast [my dad's cousins] and chased a few mice. 

Anna sorted through stored action-packers and boxes here, did some banking with Dad, and visited the dentist. 

I'm thankful for boxes of items donated clearing up space in Eli's basement apartment that we share when in the USA. 

In the last few weeks we've also continued to work on the items that need to be completed before our Zambia return, received my new passport, gotten a few things off my mom's to-do list, done some school and office work and more.

Mouse Hunt!

Things we're enjoying in Michigan: small group Bible study, worship, movies, fresh blueberries, peaches, sweet corn, lightning bugs and especially family time.

We will continue with more family time this weekend before Anna heads back to California Monday evening. She will continue to move in on Tuesday before starting work on Wednesday. 

Sunday Cory and I will visit and share at Faith's church in Livonia, Michigan. 

Summer & Anna's Test

Fritz has been busy with home school and soccer.

Cory visited Brooksville Community Church in Florida to share at the Wednesday night service. 

He enjoyed traveling with his mom and spending some time with his cousins and uncle.

15 graduated last Saturday from the Jembo Wesleyan Bible College in Zambia!

We pray God continues to direct them as they move to their new areas of ministry and for the selection of students for the next school year.

The following was sent to our Email list:

Please keep our Anna in your prayers as July 29-30, next Tuesday and Wednesday, she will be sitting to take the California bar exam

We pray for God’s peace and for clarity so she can do her best. For health and protection so nothing distracts or prevents her from taking this exam only offered twice a year. For stamina for testing 6-6.5 hours a day.

We pray for good restful sleep the nights leading up to and during the bar. 

Day one consists of  essays which Anna feels will be harder than the second day of multiple choice.
We pray that she can be an encouragement to others stressing about the exam. 
The Lord has lead her on this path and we know He is with her. We rejoice in all that He has done to get her to this point in her life. We look forward to spending the first week of August with her before she returns to California to start work on Aug. 13.
Feel free to share at church, in small groups, prayer chains. Pray for the others taking the bar as well- Christian attorneys can have an important Kingdom impact in the world. 
Thank you to all who’ve prayed for her on this journey. We greatly appreciate it!