June Update

I’m a little early this month because I’m going on vacation later this week.  I’ll tell you all about that, including pictures (hopefully) in this online version, next month.

On my new job, we’re still transitioning.  A lot of dominoes have to fall in order before my part is done.  Patrick has to move to Mark’s old job before I can move to Patrick’s old job, and before they’ll let me move to Patrick’s old job, they have to have someone ready to move into my old job.  We’re almost there, so hopefully by the time I write to you next month, I’ll be totally in the new job.  I’ve done a lot of training in it already, and I’m excited about doing new things.  I already fixed a minor bug in one installation package, so I’m on my way!

Over the Memorial Day weekend, Abigail and Zach went with a team from our church to Millersville, PA, to minister to the children of Arabic Christians while the adults were in a conference there.  Our church has been providing this ministry each year for about 25 years now.  We support a missionary in the Washington, DC, area who ministers to Arabic Christians there.  Every year he and his team host this conference.  A few years ago, Abigail and I went with our church team.

Abigail taught the 1st – 3rd graders with a teen helper, and Zach helped with the games.  They both had a great time and enjoyed being used by God to bless our brothers and sisters.

Abigail also received a certificate in the mail this past week notifying her that she made the Dean’s List at Genesee Community College.  We are very proud of her academic achievement!

Zach is now a Senior Master Sergeant in Civil Air Patrol.  He is progressing very well there, and we’re proud of his advancement!

Cai has begun the work I mentioned last month.  He spent several weeks with the Schoenheits helping them with Awana Commander College and the Sparks Camp-a-Rama, along with other church ministries.  It turned out to be a very unique time for him with them.  The Schoenheit’s adult son went missing while Cai was with them.  Unfortunately, his body was found about a week later.  They aren’t sure what happened, but the guess is he somehow fell into the Genesee River and was drowned.  Please keep their family in your prayers.  Cai was able to be a blessing to them by helping out around their house, and taking care of the Sparks Camp-a-Rama so they could look for their son.

Cai is now with the other local Awana missionaries, the Bennetts, and is helping them.  Thank you for your continued prayers for his ministry and support!

Levi is in the middle of his baseball and soccer seasons.  A lot of both sports’ games have been canceled this year because of the weather.  We’ve had a lot of rain up this way lately!  But, when he does play, we’ve enjoyed watching him.  His baseball team is doing very well.  I think they’ve only lost one game.  Levi has pitched a few times and done a good job with it.  The level he is now is where the boys are just beginning to do the pitching themselves, so there are generally a lot of walks and quite a few struck batters, but it’s fun to watch him and all of them develop their skills.  His coach is a man from our church, so that’s nice too.

He was actually able to get his first soccer game in last night.  They ended up in a 3-3 tie, but the game was quite exciting.  Levi played defense mostly, and I loved how he got in the opposing team’s way.  It was really hard for them to get past him!  I think the three times they scored, they went on the other side.

Hannah’s birthday was on 6/6.  We had her celebration the next day when we all could be there.

On 6/6, Krista, Zach, and I helped in New York State Special Olympics that was held at the university in our town.  We helped a bit with the events and giving out of the awards.  The athletes were quite enthusiastic, so it was a lot of fun.  I was able to put the medals on some of the athletes, and one gold medal winner was so excited, he jumped right into my arms!  He wasn’t a small man either, and I’m thankful my back held out.

Congratulations to Kortney and Mat on their first anniversary on 6/13!

As I looked at my pictures for this past month to see what I should include in this update, I discovered they were all pictures of Hazel.  What can you expect when you have such a cute grandchild!?!?  So, anyway, here are some cute Hazel pictures (there are no other kind of Hazel pictures).

"I love Wegmans!"

"I'm trying to play here.  Can you stop with all the pictures, Mommy!?!?"

Watching cars with Grandpa.  "I still don't see Mommy's car."

"Joe Cool's got nothin' on me"

"I get so tired of the Grandpa paparazzi!"

Krista watches her every Friday while Ella is at work, and she is getting more and more used to us.  She still loves her Mommy the best, as it should be, but she’s getting to where she will at least tolerate us for a few hours.

Until July!