Katie played in her first official highschool soccer game today. She is playing on the Freshman team at Christian High. Today's game was a little rough as they are still learning to play with each other yet. Katie also had a sore back and was limping a bit. Anyway, it was a bright sunny day-a great day for soccer!!

Katie after the game in her favorite #9 jersey.

A shot of the field.

The beautiful new stadium at Christian High.

I had to get a shot of this scene after dinner. We began a new devotional with the Resurrection Eggs. Troy was talking really loudly about all the eggs they had already opened in his preschool class and then Scott starts reading the Spanish version of the booklet even louder...Something about el burro?! As you can see he is enjoying himself. :)

Farewell

Yesterday was the farewell for the Japanese students. After school the kids and host families all went bowling and then there was a pizza party and presentation at the highschool. It was a nice time of being all together and learning a bit more about the Japanese culture...

This is Katie and her friend Shannon with their exchange student friends. We always laugh when they pose for pictures with the peace symbol.

We all headed over to the bowling alley for a few games.

Our friend Anna came along with us and enjoyed her first bowling experience with Katie's help.

Troy and Anna in the van.

Mr. Pegman addressing the group gathered at Christian High before dinner.

After dinner, the kids had a time of demonstrating calligraphy and oragami for their host families.

Miku and Katie at the oragami table.

Katie's proud of her work.

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A little family update:

Kristin is enjoying subbing in 5th grade for a few weeks. It's a new grade level, but has been fun. Also, we found out this week that we are headed to Pella, Iowa for the summer. We were hoping to stay in Grand Rapids, but were not able to secure a summer internship in this area. We are eager to experience a new part of the U.S. and are excited about the work God has for us there. We have already been making connections with many who have friends and relatives in that area. That same day we found out about the internship, we connected with two Christian college students who are going to stay in our house while we are gone. God is good (and has a sense of humor!).

Weekend Snapshots

This weekend was quite busy. Scott and 8 other Seminarians drove to the great state of Iowa to do some preaching in a few churches there. Even though it was a long drive, they had a fun time together. (Scott said he was driving the "fun" van!!) Scott had a nice fan club of local aunts and uncles and cousins who came to hear him preach on Sunday. (They all said he did well! :) ) So, that left the kids and I at home along with Miku. We didn't have big plans, but were busy with some youth group activities and other routine things. I got called on Friday to fill in for a couple of weeks in a 5th grade classroom at our school. Planning ahead for that made the weekend a bit busier too. Anyway, Scott is now home safe and sound and we are all doing well.

Miku was excited about playing UNO. The kids had many rousing games tonight.


Miku and Kamryn have been spending quite a bit of time together. Today they were also outside playing catch for about an hour in the yard.

Kamryn began getting frustrated and started getting a little crazy!

On Saturday one of the host students set up a wild game of dodgeball in the gym at our church. I guess the Japanese students love to play this at home. It looked a little humorous watching all the Americans hurling balls at our guests! Everyone loved it and had a great time.

Miku Arrives

Today we got to meet our exchange student from Japan. She will be our guest for the next 10 days. We are excited to experience someone from a different culture. The language barrier is a difficulty, but it's a fun challenge to try to get ideas across. Our kids really were excited to meet Miku today. Troy expecially seems to be taking it all in. He was explaining to me before bed how he had to talk so Miku could understand him. (Mostly she just laughs at him.) Kamryn enjoyed learning how to make Oragami cranes with her tonight. Katie is eager to show her around school tomorrow. The highschool has many activities planned for the kids for the next 10 days. We'll see how it all goes!

The welcome at Christian High this afternoon.

Katie sitting with Miku. She had to leave for soccer soon after.

More introductions.

Brenna holding the paper crane creation.


Playing the wii was a nice ice-breaker.

These are the cranes Miku made for Kamryn. We had to laugh when Kamryn showed Miku hers that she had made and Miku said, "Uh...mistake." She then proceeded to show Kam how to make them properly!

Making oragami cranes around the coffee table.

Dies Natalis

Yesterday we attended the annual celebration of the Seminary's Birthday. They served a nice breakfast and then there was a program. It's a time of basically making fun of professors, things about the Seminary, etc. In previous years it has been a little mean spirited, but this year the skits were quite entertaining. It was a nice time of talking with people and taking a break from the routine!

One of Those Days!

I just had to take this picture because it sums up the day we had yesterday. Things just kept going wrong and a fine grey mist drizzled down from the sky all day-definitely a mood dampener. This is how I found Scott at 9 pm. He was ready to call it a day! Here's to a better day tomorrow!

Today Troy and I went over to Meijer Gardens to check out the butterfly exhibit. We always love this exhibit as it's a huge conservatory-type room that is very warm and is filled with tropical plants and flowers. In the spring the butterflies begin to come out. It's just a nice retreat from winter and a reminder that spring is around the corner. Since we have a membership we can come several times to look at the different butterflies. Each time you go there are different ones out. Troy enjoyed looking up the butterlies we found today in the guide booklet.

Troy was actually a little hesitant at first as they were flying all around us.

This is one of the beautiful tropical flowers.
Troy checking things out.

These are butterflies on the feeder things.

Troy wanted a picture by these cacti.

Troy also thought these meerkats would be nice for the blog!





They also had a room full of these tulips and other plants. Wonderful!

Out in the children's area they have a room full of butterfly activities. We hung out there for awhile too. Troy spent the most time at the building station!

Today was a nice, bright sunny day. It felt warmer as it was in the low 40's and we're used to the 20's lately. After school Kamryn and Troy and I went to check out Reed's Lake, a favorite spot of ours. We were surprised to find people out on the ice yet. They didn't venture out too far, but thought they would try it out. While we were waiting to pick up Katie from soccer practice, we also checked out a playground. It's so wonderful to be outside a bit!

Standing on Reed's Lake.

Sliding on the ice.

Troy remembered how to pump his legs in the swing.

Kam being a monkey.

Tonight we attended an award ceremony at Katie's highschool. She was invited to attend because she made high honor roll. At the ceremony they basically read each student's name and they just had to stand up. One of her favorite teachers, Mrs. Knoll, gave a neat speech. Good job, Katie!

Katie with Boppa and Grandma R.