Reformation Day

We have reached the last day of October! The kids and I were remarking that it's hard to believe a whole year has passed since last October 31st. We were also remarking that it was a nice change to be enjoying the warmer weather in So. California this time of year rather than the chilliness fall in West Michigan brings... While Scott went to church this evening, the kids and I enjoyed spending time with some new friends at a party. :) Here are some highlights.

The costumes for this year. Troy is a Power Ranger (a repeat from last year). Kam is a ghost from Pac Man. And Katie is too mature for costumes!

Kamryn with some of her friends from her class.

Kamryn and another friend from school.

The whole group of kids at the party we attended.

Katie and her friends passed out candy.

One of the beautiful homes in the neighborhood where we were.

Kam and Troy surveying their loot.

Free Spirit

We were blessed to have my brother and his family come down for Scott's ordination last weekend. After the house cleared out Troy decided to play some piano pieces that Grandma R. had taught him. Cousin Emma took advantage of the accompaniment to show off her dance skills. Pretty cute!

Soccer

We spent another Saturday on the soccer field watching some great games. The weather is getting cooler, but the sun broke through the clouds to warm us up a bit. Kam and Troy played like pros and had a great time while they were at it. Although neither of them had a goal this time, they each had at least one assist and some great plays. Soccer provides some neat interaction with kids they don't normally hang out with. Fun times!

Party!

After Scott's ordination service we continued our celebration with family and friends at our home. We had several friends drive down from Visalia, which was a fun surprise for us. This was the first party in our new home, which was neat for us. (That made all the work on our house so far, worthwhile!) We are so thankful for the family and friends God has blessed us with who have supported us so much!

I love this picture because Scott is telling the Marietta youth group story about fixing the broken down suburban for the twenty-fourth time, but it's still funny to them!

Katie got some cousin time.

Uncle Scott even got to read to Emma during a quiet time.

Homecoming Fun and Games

Katie (along with our other kids) has adjusted well to her new school. She has made lots of great friends already in our short time here in So. California. This week her school celebrated homecoming. There were the usual dress up days during the week and then a dance on Saturday evening. Katie and her friends had a blast dressing up in costumes each day. On Saturday evening a bunch of them had dinner at Macaroni Grill and then attended the dance in the school gym.

A group at the football game.

Smurfs!

Pacman and friends

School colors

Katie and her friend, Katie Jo, who was the queen.

Halftime festivities

Pre-dinner pictures (with apple cider, of course!)

Dinner with friends.

Classis Meeting

The day after we got home from our Israel trip, Scott was examined by classis here in So. California. He was well prepared and even with jet lag after flying all night, with God's help, did wonderfully! This was the last step in the ordination process and is glad to have it behind him.

Scott being asked lots of questions.

Dad R. leading in prayer.

Scott looking relieved.

Afterwards with Pastors John and Will from The River.

Scott's Ordination

We were blessed to celebrate Scott's ordination into ministry in the Christian Reformed Church this past Sunday. It was a wonderful time of celebration with family, friends (many from Visalia) and our new church family at the River. It was an exciting time for us as this has been a long process of preparation. The service was a time of worship, sharing from pastors who have been mentors to Scott and overall, celebration. There was a neat video that Teri from our church put together with family pictures placed between Scott sharing about his journey into ministry. We are just feeling blessed to be in this place at this time. We feel God's hand at work and give him all the glory!
(P.S. Thanks, Julie, for the great pictures!)

Waiting for the service to begin.

Pastor Will sharing. (Picture from Classis in the background.)

Awesome praise team.

Pastor Cor sharing.

Laying on of hands in prayer.

Dad sharing with Scott.

Pastor Vink giving the charge to the congregation.

The whole congregation had a prayer time for us.

Scott preparing to give the long-awaited blessing.

He got a little teary eyed, but made it through.

Israel

Scott and I were blessed to be able to go on a Ray Vander Laan trip to Israel the past two weeks. I can't even begin to describe the impact of the experience, but wanted to get some pictures on the blog. We had an incredible, challenging, enlightening and often tough trip. It was physically exhausting as we began our day at 6 am and were on the bus by 7 to be hiking often by 7:30. We did not return to our hotel until dark. We climbed big mountains and rocks often in extreme heat. We became dependent on our fellow group members and each other. We learned more than we could often take in. We experienced God's love in new ways. It was a long time to be away from our family, but such a great experience. Scott was able to make connections from his Seminary study and in the Bible that will bless his ministry, I am sure. We are so thankful for the opportunity we had to go. We will alsonever forget the feeling we had when we heard the words, "Come, let's go."

outside Jerusalem

people praying at the western wall

a night shot of some ruins

teaching time in one of Herod's palaces

the wall around Jerusalem

God blessed us with a real life example of a pillar of cloud on evening

teaching time on top of a mountain in the desert

being blessed by a bedouin family

us in our gear

showered and clean after a long day of hiking

a typical scene, Ray moving a fence so we could get through

old city of Jerusalem

Scott by the wall

our hilarious lunch of humongous bagels

Scott sharing his "top ten" list at the farewell dinner. Quite hilarious!