Coming full circle

When I began my children's home education I chose a curriculum called Christ-Centered Curriculum. I loved it because it is rooted in scripture. It began with the premise that God's truth is first in our lives, and that all education should have a Biblical basis. When we learned numbers, for example, we started with "one". One God. Then "two" was something else, all the way to "ten", with each number representing a Biblical idea. It showed that numbers were created by God for a specific purpose. There is nothing random about them, but that all things created by God are done orderly, and for a purpose.

Today as I sat in Baker Chapel I thought how appropriate it should be that God directed my son to go to Grace Bible College. As President Kemper pointed out, Grace Bible College is first about GRACE, God's amazing grace that we need to never take for granted. It is grace that separates Christianity from all other religions. It is grace that says there is nothing we can do to earn salvation. It is a free gift, but it cost God His only Son.

Grace Bible College is secondly Bible-based, meaning that all that is taught or learned there is done from a biblical standpoint, whether it's music, business, or whatever. There is no separating our life education from our Bible education.

Thirdly GBC is a college, where students will be challenged, and they will work hard.

Today was a day of great blessings as I looked around at where my son will be living and growing for the next year, and possibly the next four years. What a wonderful community, a family that will take my son, and care for him nearly as much as I do, and train him up the same way that I started out all those years ago: Christ-centered!

I had the honor of meeting President Ken Kemper today. What a wonderful man. He assured me that he would look after Ryan, and he gave me a comforting hug right before I walked away. That meant so much to me!

So, here I am, typing this on my IPhone as we head back to Canton, with puffy eyes from crying, knowing that Ryan is out of my hands; that whatever I did to teach him has to be enough because I'll never get the days back.

It's time to let him go and let him soar with God. I miss him so much already.

Father, please take extra special care of him.

our time in Michigan

It’s been a very busy past few days. We left Canton and came to Grand Rapids. Made our way through car show traffic, and saw lots of really cool cars, to the 31st Annual “Dozynki” Polish Harvest Festival at Rosa Parks Circle. It was nuts there. Lots of people, lots of beer, lots of dancing to polka. We managed to get some food. Not crazy about it, but glad for the odd experience.
Yesterday we went to church at Frontline and met lots of people that we kinda sorta know from other times that we’ve met them… it was cool to meet folks who had gotten married at Preakness, and it was great that Ryan and Kyle got to see some of their friends from the missions trip. It was a nice, unexpected, service outside in the campground. Ryan helped lead worship...lol, that was fun. Pastor John did a little bbq-ing to make an illustration. After the service, he gave out samples.

Then we headed out to buy some stuff that Ryan needs for college. Stopped at Target and realized some of those nasty red balls that are always attacking Tommee were there guarding the place. But Ryan subdued them.
Last night we caught the Tommee Profitt concert at the New Community Church. It was great to see all of them again! And I’m glad Ryan was able to be there for it. We had a blast!

We also got to hear Dove award winner Mitch McVicker, and he was amazing! He co-wrote songs with Rich Mullins, and was badly injured in the accident that took Rich’s life. His testimony was wonderful, and sad.
The boys really enjoyed his music! Will post vids later!
After the concert we hit Denny’s for a late supper with Ryan. I was sad.
Today we take Ryan to the college….not sure how I’m gonna handle that at all. God, please help me be calm. I need Your strength.

photos by Ryan Chan

These are some of the pictures that Ryan Chan took. He did an amazing job of making us look good! Thanks Ryan!

Dinner at the Chan's =)

We had such a great time at the Chan’s house last night. Kathie made THE most wonderful Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas! It's not every day I get to pick what I get to eat when I go to someone's house for dinner! She also stuffed us with 3 kinds of dessert: Pink Lemonade Pie, Reese Cup Ice Cream Pie and these cute little smore’s things, which I'm sure will be on her blog soon! Oh, and let's not forget all the goodies she gave us to take home, including the yummy Zucchini Bread.

Ryan Chan took a ton of pictures of us in his studio so we’d have a family portrait before my Ryan heads off to college. That was so much fun!

And we all enjoyed listening to my Ryan sing some of his songs.We can’t wait to go back there again in the spring when we go back to pick up Ryan from GBC.


On the way to the Chan’s we stopped at the famous Zingerman’s Deli in Ann Harbor. Wish I could have spent more time there!
This is a picture of the man (I need to find out his name) that Bobby Flay stole a dessert recipe from and never gave him credit for it… hmm… bad Bobby!

Demystify Me...

Here is the new song Ryan just completed. This is the first time we heard it. I am going to miss these times, hearing Ryan's songs and singing with him!

Kyle's 17th birthday

Yesterday was spent getting Ryan packed up for college. I tried not to think of why he was packing. I tried not to think of how I’ll feel when he’s away. I tried not to think of what happens next, how all of our lives will be changed from now on. My babies are beginning to leave home.

Today we had a very quick birthday celebration for Kyle and then headed to Michigan. I don’t know where my camera disappeared to, so I don’t have any pictures of Kyle’s birthday. If it turns up later, I’ll post one.

So, here we are in Michigan. The kids are happy to see their cousins for a few days, and Darryl is happy to see his brother. I am happy I didn’t have to cook tonight!

Edit: found the camera
Kyle trying not to smile. =)

Newsboys

Had a nice time at Ocean Grove. We enjoyed a day at the beach, rocking and rolling with the waves on the ocean, and the concert at night. The band was so good... really loved their energy and enthusiasm. Thought Michael Tate was terrific! But next time I go to a concert I'm taking ear plugs with me! Felt like I was getting major ear damage. And I wish the Great Auditorium had air!! But it was good and I know the boys really liked it!
Back home today to start getting Ryan ready for GBC. I'm trying not to think about the fact that he'll be gone after next week. I can't think of it. Right now he is at Gen Y for the last time until who knows when.

Ocean Grove

Got a late start to Ocean Grove today by the time we got all our stuff ready. It’s really not a bad drive at all, but when we got here it was crowded. The beach was crowded too. Nothing like it was when Kyle and I were here in the spring when it was cold and rainy and empty. It’s almost like a totally different town now that it’s summer season and jumping with tourists.

So, we spent some time on the beach and enjoyed the water. Then we went to town and had pizza, walked around, did a little shopping. We stopped for ice cream and had a nice talk with a man there. Let’s see…we saw a horse and buggy go by several times…and we played with a squirrel. It was so cute. I actually touched his nose, and Kyle did too. He wanted food. I’ve never seen a friendly squirrel before. Then we came back to the hotel and hung out on the front porch and talked to a family that is going to the Newsboys concert tomorrow.

Kangaroo Court

We had so much fun today sitting in court for 3 ½ hours waiting for our case to be heard. The prosecutor was the biggest jerk ever! So stinking arrogant! He was trying to intimidate me into pleading guilty of a lesser charge that only carries 2 points instead of 4. I told him I didn’t do anything wrong. So, he’s like, “Oh, you better get an attorney.” I told him I read the statute and I don’t need an attorney, and he gets all snippy and asks me if I’m ready for a trial. Man, they treat you like you are murderers. It was unbelievable. For crying out loud, it was an Improper Passing ticket! I didn’t run anybody off the road or kill anyone!

Darryl found out when he went to speak to a lawyer (the lawyer wants 1,500$) that the fine will be 140$ plus another 250$ for fees, AND whatever the judge throws in at his discretion. That whole legal system was a joke and a scam. It is probably their greatest revenue-making business in Denville. Seriously… The prosecutor made us sit there till 12:30 before he’d let us go, and I had knots in my stomach the whole time. After awhile I started looking at him and realized he is just a pathetic human that needs Jesus so I started praying for him.

I have to go back again when they issue me another court date so that it gives the kind and law-abiding police officer a chance to show up.

So after that little adventure I had plenty of work to do. Getting stuff done for church, getting Ryan ready for college, getting ready for trip to Ocean Grove.

I am so happy that I am finally getting good tomatoes!! This is the first time in several years that we got ANY! And now we got plenty! This makes me smile. Oh yeah, there are also a ton of cayenne peppers that are turning red! woo-hoo!! Watch out mamma!


Football preseason is upon us. Can’t believe it has arrived.

Mrs. Problem Solver

This is the only picture I have today. I planted these cuttings that I got from Jennifer in Orlando that she brought from Indiana. The one on the left is some sort of philodendron with holes in the leaves. The other one is a Hoya plant (aka Wax plant or Tears of Christ plant).

I also planted a couple of things out in the yard, took Ryan to get a checking account, cooked, cleaned, did laundry, went shopping, got Kyle’s transcripts almost all printed, got GBC application done, got labels/postcards figured out for new labels I bought, and printed out 3 weeks of lessons for Bible course, which I should be studying right now, but I’m doing this instead.

Darryl is in Washington DC, Ryan went to a party and tubing on the lake, and Kyle and I stayed here to get stuff done. Tomorrow I am probably gonna have to get a root canal, Ryan has to order books for college, go over list of stuff he needs, write thank-yous, Kyle and I have to finish and print the last transcript and send that stuff off in the mail, and I am going to go over CBC stuff at church.

Kyle is busy working on his website redoing the format of it to make it look nice and professional. He was playing Switchfoot for me. =) He works so hard, and it's been worth it because first impressions on a website are very important! I’m so proud of him for getting a partnership with SPYY.

Almost every night when I go to bed he says to me, “Don’t try to solve the world’s problems” because he knows I have a tendency to lay in bed thinking about the stuff that I didn’t get done that needs to be done…..

"I got peace like a river...."

I need the peace that passes understanding down in my heart!

Here's one of Jennifer's pictures from the hotel..lol.
I love being upside-down!
We are already planning on meeting down there again next year!

I am looking forward to spending a couple of quiet days of doing nothing much...until Thursday when I have to go to court to fight that stupid "Illegal passing" ticket. ugh... I'm NOT looking forward to that! Then Friday we are headed to Ocean Grove to see the Newsboys and maybe enjoy the beach if the weather is good. It should be interesting when Darryl sees where he is sleeping... it's not Embassy Suites!

I need peace. I think I am stressed out. I must learn to rest in the Lord and not worry about so many things. God, please cure me of that. It's ok if things aren't perfect. I just gotta convince my brain of that. It never shuts off. I want an empty room that men have. I want to go there for just a little while and forget about everything. Why can't I do that?

Philippians 4:⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

From Worlds and beyond...

The yoyo comp was great!! We really enjoyed hanging out with the Speers. Nathanial and I got along great! Josh, Hiroyuki Suzuki (3 time word champ), and Kyle.
This is the upside-down Wonder Works building. We didn't go inside. Heard it was another rip-off. But the building was sooo cool.
Late on Saturday night before we went to dinner.
Guy Wright from SPYY (Kyle's major inspiration!) and Kyle. He was soo happy to meet him and get to talk to him.
Ryan and Guy.
A very late dinner at Friendly's, and time to say good-bye.

Worlds Yoyo Contest

Kyle has been having a great time at the competition. I can't even begin to tell you how many huge names are here. Kyle has been able to meet folks, talk to them, share yoyo tricks, buy a cool new yoyo without a name and rub shoulders with some hot shots. We've seen some really great shows. I will post a vid or 2 later.Josh and Kyle.
Kyle doing the sports ladder. He did better than he did at MAR, but this time he didn't win.
Our friends, the Speer family.
It was great to meet Patrick Mitchell from YoyoNation. Even more great was that he knew Kyle's name before meeting him.
Inside one of the ballrooms at the Rosen Plaza Hotel.
The famous and not-so-famous yoyoers from over 19 countries.
Steve Buffel from SPYY offered Kyle a partnership. Steve gave him this really awesome 2010 Speed Freak and a SPYY T-shirt.