OCTOBER FAMILY PHOTO

For the first time ever this fall, 

most of our family got cell phones . . .

And Sam?

Well, he upgraded from the phone booth to . . .

A portable phone!

Thanks, Judy, for taking the snaps!

Sweet Dreams

The other night I dreamt that as Annie, our black lab-wanna-be, and I were running home, we were being stalked by a tiger.  I grabbed the tiger by the mouth just as our neighbor Bernice came out her front door.  I yelled at her, "Shoot him!" and she said, "I'll get the camera!"

Now, I talked to Bernice yesterday and told her my dream and asked her if I ever yelled "Shoot it!" at her again, that she grab a gun!  What makes this most interesting is that there really is a wild life sanctuary less then ten miles away.  

A missionary . .

I used to believe

being a missionary meant getting on a plane,

going to a far away place to live,

to share the Gospel.

Now I believe 

being a missionary means getting up in the morning,

walking out my front door,

and sharing the Gospel with whomever I meet. 

Michelle

The Shiner . . .

Happened in the Fleet Farm parking lot yesterday.  I had taken Sam's car to grab more leaf bags because it was parked in the middle of the driveway and it was just easier to take it then move it and use mine.  Needless to say, when I opened his car door in the parking lot, I managed to hit myself just under the left eye with the door.  It's just a small cut, but it is starting to turn colorful!

TAKEN AFTER RAKIN' . . .

Alias "September Family Photo"

Matt was in charge of the September family photo and he wanted it to be taken at the orchard.  Unfortunately, every weekend he wanted us to come, something didn't work out and the orchard closed last weekend.  Since we were already three weeks past due, we went for a one shot quickie in our neighbors leaves - after we finished raking ours!

Thanks again, Neighbor Nancy!

Dear Mr. Drowning . . .

There is a very sweet man who comes early many mornings a week to swim at the Y.  As staff, we've often looked at his stroke and wondered if he would be offended if we just made a few corrections here and there.  We all have our favorite corrections, from kick to arm pulls.  We call him "Mr. Drowning" because one of signs of drowning is "failure to make forward progression".  How bad is it?  Well, this morning the lifeguard had only three people swimming so she counted the number of arm pulls he took in one length.  I generally take 18-19, 20 is considered average.  He took 63!  The lifeguard couldn't believe it, so she counted again.  This time it was 65!  So now the question is, which one of us is going to talk to this dear man . . . 

Maybe the first . . .

A few days ago, word of mouth allowed the Mercy Ships Advance Team to meet up with Juliette who may become the first potential patient in Madagascar!  After a quick assessment, they gave her a follow-up card for early November.  They watched her treasure her card as she walked away.

Soon . . . very soon . . .

Eight Days a Week!

This has been just a fun eight day week!  It began last Saturday when I taught an Emergency Oxygen Administration class for the Y.  The room I was to teach in was most easily accessible through the gym which was closed due to floor resurfacing.  Praise God for the custodian who helped me carry my equipment through the childcare area, down the hall and into my new classroom.

Sunday I was back at the Y for our quarterly swimming instructor inservice doing the trudgeon and inverted breaststroke - two strokes I'm positive only swimming instructors know or do - and only at insevices!

Monday I was at ISD 196 where instead of teaching first aid, I was able to manage the pool at Black Hawk for two hours at my instructor (highest!) pay rate.  I have to say, I had a blast - really!  I had to translate Red Cross swimming lessons into the program ISD 196 uses and let instructors know if their students passed or not!

Fortunately, Tuesday and Wednesday were off, and Thursday and Friday were easy days at the Y teaching preschoolers how to swim.  

And then there was Saturday!  Umm . . . hmm!  It was the most gorgeous day at Sand Creek Adventure as I sent people off on the zip line!  Need I say more?

Saiing!

The good ship Mercy set sail on Thursday - destination:  the island of Madagascar!  It should be a nine day sail with some rough waters expected.  Do keep the captain and crew in your prayers!

Warning:

 

If your children have dyslexia, I would encourage you to NOT let them put their phone numbers in your phone.  Chances are the person you are texting with updates from school conferences will NOT be your child!

The Hmong Academy Freshman . . .

Came to Sand Creek yesterday and we had a blast!  Each staff member was given a group of twelve students to lead through the low ropes course, on the zip line and in team building.  Phenomenal!  I had one student who had just arrived from a refugee camp in Thailand and another student with severe burns all over his body (healed, but oh, so scarred).  It was a privilege to lead them!

 

Just saying . . .

If you've decided to not buy the Lakeville North Annual this year, this sneak peak may make you want to change your mind . . . 

Matt's Senior Picture

May I just say . . .

that even with a few silly rookie mistakes ("hmmm . . . close the gate when you leave the nest", "it's the velcro that's color coded, not the lines"), I had the absolute most wonderful first day on the job at Sand Creek Adventures!  Today, I'm physically exhausted but still smiling about the birthday parties we sent through and the happy grandmas and the children.  My favorite was a young mom from Zimbabwe (that would be Africa, not a city in Minnesota!) who just couldn't go and started to cry.  In the end, she did fly and everyone celebrated!  It was great!