It's Saturday and the kids and I are enjoying a mellow day at home. It's been raining all day with intermittent thunder storms. Our pool is nearly overflowing and I am thankful I don't have to water my newly planted flower pots.
Marko left Tuesday with Josh and Jussara to travel to IHOP (International House of Prayer) in Kansas City with whom i2 Ministries is partnering. IHOP is opening an i2 Missions to Muslims training school as a supplement to their curriculum. This partnership is very strategic and an enormous blessing and honor for i2. The purpose of this trip was to finalize the details of the partnership as well to introduce Josh and Jussara and pray for their ministry.
Sadly, the timing of this important event coincided with my 44th birthday and Marko's and my 20th Wedding Anniversary. It was hard for Marko to leave the day before both of these events, but we agreed that he needed to be at IHOP to help represent i2. Marko made sure that the kids took good care of me on my birthday though which was very sweet considering I don't have any friends or family in Florida to celebrate with me. Actually, we have become friends with our neighbor, Nicole, but I made Marko promise he wouldn't tell her it was my birthday!
The kids made me a wonderful scrambled egg breakfast complete with goat cheese, salsa, and spinach (my daily breakfast of choice). They also had handmade cards and a big banner waiting for me and they insisted that I relax and not do any work that day. Me, myself, and I voted unanimously they must be the most thoughtful children in the world!
Noah ended up sick and stayed home on my birthday/Anniversary (yes, we got married on my birthday)! He was my little birthday buddy so I wasn't entirely alone. I also enjoyed cards, texts, and emails from various family and friends. Thank you for that.
I am thrilled to report that my boys both decided to play soccer with their sister! I was shocked when they said they wanted to play and even more shocked that they actually enjoy it! Neither of our boys have been big fans of team sports. They tend to learn towards individual sports which is fine with us. We have always hoped they would experience some team sports, however, and the benefits that go along with them. The coach tells us they both have natural talent and could be great soccer players should they decide to continue with the sport. The league they are with is pretty casual and non competitive, however,we know that most other teams at their age will have highly experienced players. Hopefully this will not intimidate them and they will decide to continue playing....
The ministry paid for me to take a Grant Writing Course this week. I enjoyed learning about how to write grants and hope that I can use this new knowledge to help raise money for i2 and perhaps other ministries as well. I had no idea what went into writing grants. Apparently it takes between 80-120 hours just to write one grant and they are often turned down due to high demand.
There is not much else to report. I am going to leave you with some photos of the kids from their first week of school, soccer, as well as various other photos, including our neighborhood iguanas. In Washington we photographed sweet little bunny rabbits and deer grazing in our fields. In Florida we photograph reptiles sunning on our dock. One guy was about four feet long and had enough spikes to rival a porcupine!
Well, it's week three in Florida and we are finally settling into somewhat of a routine. Marko and Gabriella started school a couple of weeks ago while I worked hard to get Noah signed up for Florida's Online Virtual Academy. After hours of paperwork, more paperwork, testing, and Learning Coach training, Noah and I decided that home school was not in either of our best interests! Mom about had a panic attack when she realized how much computer time was needed for both student and Learning Coach. Those of you who know me well know that computers and I have a bit of a strained relationship. If it paints a better picture for you, my husband has nicknames me "The Computer Terrorist."
It's not that I am not capable of learning, it's more of a refusal to learn. Picture me on the set of "Little House on The Prairie" if you will (minus the long dresses, and bonnets that is). I often feel like I should have been born in a different time period. Most of you probably think that sounds crazy as you love 21st Century Technology! I, on the other hand, would rather hand write a letter, take notes in longhand, and sit around visiting face to face with family and friends. I know there are SOME of you out there who can relate to me! My biggest pet peeves in life are computers and automated tellers! To be entirely honest with you, the two can have me so worked up that the words coming out of my mouth are far from appropriate, lady like, or Christian!
It has been relatively easy to avoid the computer world over these past thirteen years of being a stay at home mom. I have realized that I do need to join the 21st century (kicking and screaming none the less) and learn a thing or two about computers. My constant frustration with the things has become somewhat of an issue (just ask Marko)! After my rather large meltdown this week over Noah's school stuff, and the tears of frustration that followed, I have decided it is time for me to be proactive with regards to my computer challenges. I am determined to take some computer classes for dummies or something in the very near future!
Moving on...
Noah is currently in the process of enrolling in Highlands Christian Academy with big brother, Marko. Gabriella attends McNab Elementary just down the street. We live too close to school for bus service so Gabriella and I enjoy some one on one time walking to and from school every day.
Gabriella is playing soccer at St. Coleman's Catholic Church in our neighborhood. I love being able to walk to school and soccer. We live in a wonderful neighborhood that feels like it is miles from civilization but is actually close to everything.
All three kids are starting swim lessons tomorrow at an incredible pool down the street. A must in Florida! They also enjoyed their first lesson in Spear Fishing with Leo, one of the High School students from Zion Church.
As for Marko and I; Marko has been working full time for i2 Ministries and I will be working part time as a writer for the ministry. We have weekly team meetings at the i2 office (see photo below). There is so much to do and learn with regards to the ministry and where it is going. We are joining forces with IHOP International where they will offer the i2 Curriculum in the upcoming months. Many exciting things are happening and it is inspiring to see what Josh and Jussara have done, and are doing, to train up the Global Church to effectively evangelize Muslims.
I need to run some errands so will say goodbye for now- leaving you with some photos and videos of the past two weeks in Florida. We survived Tropical Storm Isaac and hope you enjoy watching my amateur footage (apparently turning the camera sideways while filming does NOT have the same results as when you are taking still pictures-reminder "Amateur Filmmaker"!!! L.O.L.!
