Ok...  I feel like every time there is a long break between updates, I have to apologize and re-start again.  Deja vu?  I think herein lies one of the more pragmatic lessons in life...that when things do not go like clockwork and you have kind of slipped out of a routine, there really is no need to start all over, but to pick it up and keep chipping away!  Maybe it sounds like a copout or even an excuse but  I am going to keep chipping away.  Thank you for your faithfulness in checking up on us. 

    Katy and I have had a very mixed month.  Lots of wonderful joys and mixed with it were some hard days too.   Some of you might know what happened, others of you can ask or email me about it.   My parents left yesterday for India.  They should be arriving in a few hours.   It was strange to see them off because I leave for India next week!   We had a great time with them here.  It is always so much better to show your life than explain it over a cup of coffee in India.   I was glad that they could see our new home, sleep in the guest bedroom, eat a bagel, pick apples (twice), shop at the new Menards, get their blood pressure checked at WalMart, try new pancakes at IHOP, check our new diners in Holland, get to know what Chihuahuas are, meet people we love, deepen relationships with people who love them, spend time with their family here in the US... lots of great memories.  

     Life should hurry back into a routine for Katy and me... at least for a couple of days.   I am leading a team of 8 for a couple of weeks.  We leave on Monday (the 5th) and I come back to the US on the evening of the 19th.  Please do continue to keep us in your prayers.   This fantastical life that we lead continues to amaze us! 

 

 

Katy's taking a sabbatical of sorts from blog-writing... well not really a sabbatical but until her calendar frees up some time for her to use the computer at home, it will be yours truly filling in!:) 

    My parents got in safely on Sunday night.  They arrived at 11:30 PM on September 30 and thus spent 30 minutes on my birthday.  Now, this may not seem like that big a deal to some but the last time that I spent my birthday with my family was over 12 years ago in 1995 (my senior year of high school).  It really was a special treat.  

    This week has been relatively a quiet week for them, which is really how I planned it.   My parents could use a break even if it drives them crazy!  :)  Last night, we had some yummy Indian food and then we went shoe shopping for my mom.   She needed some "closed-toe" shoes to help combat the chilly October, even if this week is pretty balmy.   Tomorrow is my mom's birthday.  As a family, birthdays were really the one thing we celebrated together.  I think, again, that its such a blessing to have her here for her special day.  Its been a good week so far. 

      I head out to Iowa tomorrow for a couple of days.  I have to speak at my old college on Friday.  For some reason, I have been a little worked up about this but I think it makes sense.   No matter how many times or how many places you speak... it always tugs a little differently when you are back at your old marching ground.   I'll let you know how it goes.  My hope is to share about what we do at ASM but also to try and challenge a couple of students to head to India for a technical project next summer.  There is a lot of interest and buzz around it, so it should be fun.  I also get to speak at a couple of classes and meet students (along with other good friends).  

      Katy and I are in the process of putting up a fence soon!  It will definitely add a nice asthetic touch to our home!   I just glanced at my window and realized that its such a beautiful October day.   I cannot believe the many ways in which we are blessed! :) Hope you are doing well today...wherever you are!