April 2017 Update

It’s starting to actually feel like spring here with somewhat warmer temperatures (we’ve had our first 70 degree day) and budding flowers, bushes, and trees.  Of course, the downside to that is budding allergies too, but I’ll take it!  The itchy nose and eyes are worth it for the warmth and beauty!

 

March 18 was our area’s Awana Games.  We’re on our last child’s last year participating in this event with Levi being in sixth grade now.  His team did well and came in second on our circle.  Now we have a few years off until our grandchildren start participating!

Levi playing Knock It Down

Levi (1st row 3rd from left) and team

 

We remembered Carissa’s birthday on 3/23 and are excited to see the ultrasound and baby bump pictures she sends of baby Wilky.  Their little girl is due in July!

 

Zach spent 3/27 – 4/2 in Colorado Springs for the annual Awana Summit conference for our Journey team.  His Bible Quiz team made it to the silver round, and he also participated in Games and Volleyball.  They had lots of extra time there to see sights like Pikes Peak, the Garden of the Gods, and Focus on the Family’s headquarters.  All in all, a very fun time.

 

Carissa also recently started a new adventure, joining a Sweet Adelines group near her called Jersey Sound http://jerseysoundchorus.org/.  She sent us links to some of their performances and a webcast competition they did in Hershey, so we could enjoy them.  I told her I’ve wanted to sing in a barbershop group for a while, and she looked up my local men’s barbershop chorus, so last week I went to my first session with them.  Our group is called the Chorus of the Genesee http://www.chorusofthegenesee.org/, and I plan to go to my second rehearsal tonight.  I haven’t officially joined yet, but it was so much fun, that I’m planning to!  They ask you to come to three rehearsals or so before committing, so I’m in the middle of that.

 

We celebrated the resurrection of Jesus this past Sunday (yeah, we really do it every Sunday, and we should do it every day, but you know, especially on Easter Sunday).  All of my local kids and grandkids were over after church for Easter dinner, and Krista’s sister, Nanita, and her family came later in the afternoon too.  We did an egg hunt and ate wonderful food.  In church we were reminded that Christianity rises and falls on the resurrection.  If Jesus’ resurrection is not true, Christianity is not true either.  “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins (1 Corinthians 15:17).”  But Christ is risen!  “But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.  For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead.  For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).”  This is our confidence who by His grace have been made right with Him.  “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:56,57).”  Sorry (not sorry really) for the sermon there, but our pastor challenged us with how quickly we talk about, post, tweet, etc. news like our kids’ accomplishments, our vacations, our political views, or whatever, and how we are hesitant to do the same with the most important news in the world:  the gospel message of Christ.  So there.  J

 

May’s update will include news about a trip to see Cai graduate from college, and a trip to see many of you in the Seattle area!  I’m very excited!