Other Random Updates

 We have had some of the most beautiful sunsets in recent days.  And the moon has also been amazingly full and clear (and some times it was even red) as our nights get cooler and head towards the Fall season.  I love being reminded daily of God's creative design and faithfulness to us through the nature all around us!

I did not get a picture of the red moon as it never turned more than a bright orange at our house, but Marissa took this picture down near her campus one night early in the week:

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Nolan recently made a fidget spinner using his 3D printer.  He loves the design of this one, but it is really almost too big to carry around.  Now he knows that he will need to modify his design and make it a little smaller if he wants to sell them to classmates.

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Speaking of Nolan, now that he is in middle school, he will occasionally have homework to do once he gets home.  This is new for him since he rarely had homework in elementary school, so the other night he  came home with three subjects and he was not happy about it at all.  (He told me that he needed to listen to background music so that he could focus on what he needed to do.)

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We were notified once again of another TIGER award that Melayna has been nominated for.

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And speaking of Melayna...her cross country pictures came in recently.

We aren't sure if her senior banner will be ready and hung up in time for Senior Night this coming weekend, but here is the pose that they will use when the banners are finally completed.

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Melayna took another college visit this past week.  Noel took her to Holland, MI so she could visit Hope College and meet with their track coach.  They had a really great visit but unfortunately, they didn't take any pictures while they were there.

In other college news, Melayna was also recently accepted to Ball State University.  That marks her second official acceptance and she has applications pending at several other schools.  She has two more visits on the calendar in October with one of them being an overnight team visit and then hopefully she will be able to make the decision for where she plans to attend and to run by the middle of November.  Please pray for wisdom for her (and us) as she makes these important decisions.

"Show me your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.  Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior and my hope is in you all day long"  Psalm 25:4-5

"Commit your ways to the Lord; trust in Him and He will help you" Psalm 37:5

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'Just another day in Melayna's paradise!!  LOL

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With Senior Night quickly approaching, Melayna spent last weekend printing off pictures and putting together her cross country board that she will have on display.  All of the cross country seniors will be announced on Friday night before the football game.

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And finally, even though Marissa isn't home with us, she sent us these pictures recently.

This one was from Friday, September 5th when the swimming team went out for ice cream together.  Sophies is a fan favorite for both IWU and Taylor students.

And on Monday the 8th, Marissa and her friend group all wore matching shirts that they had found at Goodwill.  They had this picture taken before the start of chapel.  

And in Other News...

 Cross country meets and college move-ins have taken up a lot of our focus in the past two weeks, but we've also had a couple of other things happening.

My Community Bible Study group is starting up again the week of Labor Day so we recently had two days of leadership training to prepare all of our teachers and support staff.  It has been my blessing to serve as coordinator for the past five years and each year has been a blessing in its own way, but I am really excited about our leaders this year.  I'm looking so forward to meeting with them regularly again.

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Nolan is always designing and creating.  One day last week he sat down with Noel and they were looking at new 3D patterns.  He is currently working on a project that has several pieces that will eventually all fit together.  He has the first piece printed (it took over 14 hours), but now he's waiting for his new spool of blue to arrive.

I'll be sure to show off the finished project once he has it all printed.

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Youth group started up last week for both Melayna and Nolan.  Melayna had a pool party on Wednesday night with the Living Gospel youth group where she has attended for three years and will continue attending through this last year of school.  

Nolan will join a local group here in our town where several of his school friends currently attend.  They kicked off their year with an outdoor party that included soap hockey and a really large bubble machine.

When I went to pick him up at the end of the night, several parents directed me to the large bubble pit but I didn't see him at first.  Then he jumped out of the bubbles -- covered from head to toe!!  It was an adventure getting him into the car and back home again.  LOL

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Melayna is anxiously awaiting her senior banner to be completed.  I'll post the finished product later when it is ready, but here is the proof that she chose...

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With all of the kids gone during the day, I have been able to start walking the trails again.  It is always such a peaceful time for me to just get some much needed exercise but also to quiet my heart and spend some time with the Lord.  I didn't realize how much I missed these walks over the summer months until I started again.  It has been such a comfort to my soul these past two weeks.

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After we left the XC meet on Saturday, we drove by the "H" family house so Noel could take a look at their basement doors and get some measurements for the job.  After the work was done, he tried out their elliptical bike...

...and Nolan was living his best life as he played with their cats and dog.

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Marissa is all settled into her dorm and spent the week / weekend finishing her Aquatic Manager job training along with welcoming the new freshman coming on to campus.  On Sunday night, she sent us this picture that she took from her room.  What an amazing view!  I'm sure that she will enjoy many sunrises and sunsets from that window this year.

And then on Monday morning, she sent us a few more pictures to show us what she's been up to.  I love getting pictures from my girls.  They always make me smile (and miss them).

This is NOT her room so I'm assuming it's her suite mate.  But apparently they all enjoy Morgan Wallen and his music.  LOL

I know this is an early morning view from the desk in her room. 

And the some pictures from the team's pool party on Saturday.

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We have had some amazing views here in our own backyard.  Noel took this picture the other night as he was driving home.

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Now that the girls have taken their college things back to school with them, I have decided to do a thorough organizing and cleaning of the basement, starting with a lot of toys that we have had for years and years.  I asked Nolan to come downstairs with me to help me sort through what should be kept versus what could be given away or just thrown away.  We pulled out quite a few things that we can give to the toy sale this winter and we threw away a trash bag or two of random things that were broken or items that we just do not need to hang on to.  (McDonald happy meal toys anyone?)   

We also went through some of the games and puzzles that had missing pieces or that we have outgrown.  Apparently, going through the dress up box might have been just a little too fun.

It is definitely looking much cleaner down there now...

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And finally... a special shout-out to Melayna for winning a Tiger Award this week.  She was nominated by the teacher of the STARR room where Melayna works with students who have disabilities.  Her teacher had such great things to say about her -- and we are definitely proud of her and the love she shows.