Stats to ignore
I’m not placing much importance on this stat:
Mainly, it’s because our life doesn’t feel like this.
However, you noticed that I still blogged it. 
Tabitha’s Baptism (and more summer)
1) Tabitha was baptized ot Camp Wyldewood on Wednesday, July 1st! One of Westover’s college students held “final” discussions with her and dunked her. God is so edgy like that! (The camera batteries died so I got *no* shots. Very disappointing.) This Sunday, she somewhat sadly told me that today was her first communion, and she observed it during Kids 2 Praise, Westover’s childrens worship. I can’t help but wonder if she was in fact closer to the Body of Christ there.
2) God is always training us to trust Him. Often, I’m uneasy with it at first, but then His love overwhelms me.
3) Anyone with some knowledge of Austin knows we “keep it wierd”. But the “Keep Houston Ugly” logo is downright funny.
4) I just finished reading “Teresa of Calcutta”. It was a book Tabitha read during homeschool. I intend to talk with her about it tonight. Like Teresa herself, the book’s focus remained on their work with the poorest of the poor and the blessings Christ brings.
5) Yesterday, our family hiked a couple of hours along the Barton Creek Greenbelt to Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls. The creek bed as completely dry, but the sun was moderate (for Texas), the breeze gentle, and our 2 dogs very encouraging. Then we dropped the dogs off and drove straight to a pool for swimming.
Summer in full swing
The first camp of the summer has come and is about to go. I’ve been incredibly pleased with Westover’s VIP camp. Grades 2 – 5 go off with the Children’s Ministers, Youth Leaders, and whole batches of High School counselors and some parents. Though our children came in knowing very few of their Sunday classmates, they come home raving about new friends and grand festivities lovingly crafted by their fearless (and they are fearless) leaders.
And now a full family vacation is on the cusp. And the Florida Gluf is on the menu. I hope some fresh fish too. Grandma LOVES the beach. But not necessarily the water. It’s a bit of an oxymoron, but one we all live with. You see, Betty doesn’t swim. But she sure can read, build sandcastles, and track down little dudes with ease. And Pop? Well, sand nor sea is his cup of tea. I think this is why we went camping on the “off years”. Though they’ve both managed to make brilliant concessions. Either it’s been plush seafood feasts or the purchase, transport, and assembly of luxury camping items. It’s something that I should truly take note of.
Meanwhile, Tamara, Tabitha, and Moses romp around Austin. And then the next few days line up as prep for the big trip.
End of School 2008-2009
The end of the school year fast approaches. Charity wrapped up fifth grade with a Greek extravaganza. Her class performed 4 different plays, her’s being the story of King Midas. Tabitha completed Disney Darlings where all the choirs and some of the band and art students participated in the dinner show. Tab helped construct the choreography for their group. She brought home the “Rising Star” trophy that is given to a sixth grader, and I believe the only award for that grade. And earlier this month, she received an award for the completion of her flute regimen, and announced to me that she earned 4th chair overall for 6-8th grades. Judah happily completed his state required testing for 3rd grade. He continues to read with me most evenings, but has finished off homework for the year. Their 3rd grade classes seemed to spend this last month on a tour of Austin and the surrounding area taking field trip after field trip. I felt sorry for those teachers. That’s hard work. And Moses seems to be at a birthday party every week. I wonder if this will continue into the summer.
As we come upon the cusp of our first full summer in our new home, it appears that someone will be gone from home almost every day in June, and most of them in July. I’m anticipating a bit of a roller coaster. More updates on these events as they roll past.
Touched by Burma
This last Saturday, I showed up for a meeting about Austin Refugees. Growing up, I had a friend whose family had fled Vietnam. Their transition into American culture wasn’t exactly smooth. I still love Tony, but we’ve not talked since high school… if really even then. I’d never really thought through nor come to grips with his family’s struggles. It’s very much to my shame.
I showed up just to determine how Westover might be able to work with Austin Stone (a huge college church plant) in this. I thought this was a planning meeting. Instead, I got an emotional rollercoaster. Sitting beside a few of the refugees, occasionally a man my age would lean over during the videos and say something like “yes, that happened many times”. My heart is still reeling from the experience. Every few hours I find myself praying anew.
A couple from Westover, Jonathan and Jessica, teach ESL classes for a small group of Karen Hilltribers; driven out of Burma, encamped in forced seclusion just inside Thailand, and finally transported to the U.S. The meeting presented numerous possibilities to help, but discovering which is what I’m wondering about now.
