Downsized Mamma: Back to School!

 Even though this mamma felt a bit conflicted and sad over our decision to go back to public school I knew in my heart that this is the face I would see on Thing 2's first day of Kindergarten...and that makes me happy-sad!  You know, the happy my kid is so happy and growing up and spreading his wings but sad he isn't as little as he was yesterday. Yesterday he was home with me all the time and I knew all the ups and downs of his little world.  Yesterday he was sucking down popsicles on our back patio, creating Tye-die shirts at the kid's museum and sinking rocks in the ponds with me.  Yesterday we laughed and played and soaked up every last minute of summer because I knew "that day" was coming.  The day that we pulled up to the public school building and I had to RUN to keep up with him as he took off for the playground.  No lingering hugs or clinging to mom.  Sigh.  But I wouldn't have it any other way.
 I know he would learn just as much (or more) academically at home this year AND yet I can't duplicate the organized chaos of 20 kids that fill up my little man's extrovert tank each and every day at public school.  I also can't/won't practice self-control and following directions for 8 hours a day which is what we thought he would benefit the most from going to school.  And they take these lessons nice and slow in K whereas if we waited to send him in a few years we felt it would be a harder transition.
That all being said  we all enjoyed our homeschool time together and now I know that I COULD do it and survive should we need to do it again, which is a good feeling.  We will take it one year at a time deciding what each kid needs and doing our best to meet those needs.

You are stickin with me little man!  You CAN'T stay here!

Thing 2 he really missed seeing all his friends every day at public school.  Even though he also liked getting his work done in 2 hours instead of 8, he opted to go back with his brother.  That leaves this mamma downsized to one little Thing each day!  I'm bravely embracing the freedom this allows and jumping back into some familiar ministry roles I didn't have room for the past 8 years.   Fun! More on that soon!

A Dozen Reasons Why we Chose Public School...NOT

Some of you know that we decided to home school our kids last semester. If you want to know why (and why not) you can click on those links.  This year we decided to send our middle son to public school Kindergarten.  Our oldest son had the option and decided to return to public school.  Before I tell you why, here are a few reasons why not!

1) Because we don't really love our kids enough, if we did we would home school.

2) Because we didn't like the leisurely pace in the mornings, everyone getting enough rest and starting the day off nice and slow AFTER my second cup of coffee.

3)Because our home schooling was a terrible, torturous experience and we would never do it again.

4) Because we hated spending so much time reading together on the couch and all those pesky trips to the library.

5) Because we know that they really can't learn social skills they need to survive with home school.

6) Because they were starting to act so introverted, stopped speaking to anyone outside our family and started speaking in Latin.

7) Because they hated having so much free time to play legos and go on "adventures" in our house with their imaginations.

8) Because I really do believe the government should decide what my kids learn and when and how.

9) Because those taco snacks and chicken nuggets for hot lunch are so much more nutritious than my home cooked meals.

10) Because they were driving me crazy (okay, that one might have been slightly true some of the time).

11) Because all that time doing family devotions and scripture memory with them was such a drag.

12) Because I couldn't teach them as well as some total stranger could, and it isn't really school when you do it at home for just a few hours a day!

I'll post again soon with reasons why we went this route this year...and some first day of school pics.

The Most Important Day

One of the most important days of the school year for our ministry is today.  Today is the day we help move freshman into the dorms.  Our campus is so friendly and appreciative of our organized effort that they even supply lunch for our student friends. Awesome!   But the free lunch is the reason why today is so important. The real reason is that this is our first chance to meet the incoming class.  Every student leader in Navs wears our stand out (some may call them boring...ahem...) black and white t-shirts, and climbs countless flights of stairs carrying endless boxes, laptops and flat screens (umm, can I be a freshman again?) all in order to spread the Gospel.  Probably not one single verse is shared.  Many don't get beyond introductions and a maybe a brief invite to one of our many events happening in the next couple weeks. But we are jotting down names and numbers, making connections and will stop back by to talk to them more as the days pass.

This day and the few days ahead are so soo sooo important because in this short span of time the lonely wide-eyed freshman are going to decide who their friends will be for the next four or five years.  Seriously, in a matter of days!  This is a huge life changing decision depending on who they choose.  We aren't out for a popularity contest but we want them to choose us! We want to pull in as many students as we can not so we can report big numbers at our Nav Nites (though that is always fun) or pat ourselves on the back at how many new Bible studies we started. We want to catch them before they stray off onto the wrong paths that never quite satisfy. We want to build friendships that point them to the one Friend who will never fail them.

As I took a break today from harvesting the green beans and baking a peach pie for my hard working hubby (no, I wasn't among the movers today as hubby declined to take 3 energetic boys to help move things) I took a few minutes to pray for this most important day.  I couldn't help but picture casting out our nets wide and fighting against our enemy who is working his hardest to get them into his camp.  Please join me in praying for this important day.  Pray for success for all the ministries on campus that are working for His Kingdom.  Today's success dictates tomorrows and the next...and eventually what Kingdom these students will end up in.  Thanks for reading and praying! :)

Our T-shirt for those who haven't seen them.  Modeled by two of my favorite little rascals!

Who Are The Navigators?

Last night as we were driving home hubby sat next to me and every few seconds his phone would beep indicating a new text.  Why yes, ministry is picking up speed again as fall is just around the corner.  But that isn't the only reason the texts were flying in.  As I raised my eyebrows in question he explained that he was preparing a workshop for our leadership retreat later this week on "Who are The Navigators." He wanted to know what his audience thought before attempting to teach them so he asked them to text him their answers. I thought some responses were funny and others spot on.  All were encouraging.  Here are what some of the 34 sophomore, juniors and seniors who are on the leadership team this year had to say:

-Awesome

-The Navs are the coolest group of people you will ever meet on campus. They’re grounded, relatable, crazy people with a zest for God who are ready to be your friend and help you in any way they possibly can. J

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-We are a group of people seeking to know Christ and to share his love with the world, and to help others do the same.

-I would say we are a campus ministry who tries ‘To know Christ and make him known.”  Not only is Navs a place where you grow in your faith but it’s a place to challenge your faith and reach out to others to help them know the gospel of Jesus Christ.

-We are a super fun and amazing campus ministry!  Our mission is to know Christ and to make him known. We meet every Wednesday at 8pm for great messages and wonderful worship. Navigators is also a great way to surround yourself with Christian people and from friendships.

-Our t-shirts say it all.

-We are a group who seeks not to just ‘love’ Christ but to follow him.  We also seek to encourage others and show them Christ’s love in a genuine and sincere way.

-They’re a bunch of thugs who like to kick it old school.  It’s also a student led campus ministry who enjoy serving God. Evangelism, discipleship and Ultimate Frisbee!

-A nationwide ultimate Frisbee league.

-But for real I would say it is a worldwide Christian ministry that has one of its focuses on helping college students learn more about Jesus.

-We are a Christian organization with a campus ministry as one part. Our desire is to glorify God as we seek to know Him and share His love with others.

-I would say that Navs is a Christian campus organization that focuses on knowing Christ and making Him known- we live this statement out through building relationships/friendships with others modeled by how Christ lived and disciple

This years Oaks Leadership team along with a few that have graduated and left us :(  pictured above. 

Fire update, Travels and Pics.

I know many of you have been praying for those affected by the fires in CO.  In the aftermath we learned that in our Navigator family  nine families have lost their homes, another was damaged, another was vandalized and looted, and almost 200 Navigator families were evacuated.  Please continue to pray for them and if you want information on how you can help with a monetary gift just let me know.  I can't even imagine starting over with absolutely nothing!

Even though we have not been "on assignment" at a Summer Training Program last summer we are still doing ministry.  This has included a lot of traveling from place to place for ministry.  On the weeks we are home we host our summer Bible study discussion of, "The Gospel for Real Life" by Jerry Bridges.  I think I may have read this book before but it must have been in the blur of small children bc I don't remember that much.  This time I'm eating it up - encouraged by Bridges' teaching and clarifying look at God's love for us.


My summer hours are mostly spent like any other mom's - shuffling kids to the pool, library activities and the local kid's museum.  I love living in this little mid-west town with so much to offer a family at this age and stage!  Our librarian does a fabulous job with daily activities and weekly special events the kids just adore!  I'm loving just having fun with them.  


Beyond mothering I've been tackling the weeds in our garden, put up my first ever batch of pickles and way more zucchini than one family could ever consume in a year.
  
A couple weeks ago we enjoyed a long visit from my parents and slipped away for a week in the Hills with them.  Here are some pics of our travels this summer thus far. 

After going to the Dells earlier this summer we headed the other direction for some meetings in CS, CO.  We visited the castle at Glen Eyrie a few days before the fires started.  Thing 2 wanted to know if it was haunted...too many scooby doo books I guess!

His favorite park was the Knight.

Besides knowing lots of Nav folks in the Springs we have some good family friends as well.  We met them for ice cream at this awesome little outdoor shop one hot summer night.

I also got to catch up with a good friend and her three sweet kiddos !

Back at the ranch, hubby requested a caramel cashew ice cream cake for his bday.  I shuddered remembering my issues the last time I attempted an ice cream cake.  BUT since he still hasn't forgiven me for a bday cake indiscretion a few years ago I figured I better give it a shot.  It turned out pretty well and I tried to not eat too much of it...but not very hard!

My best friend and her family came to visit right before the 4th so we all headed out to the Little House on the Prairie.

My folks arrived the same day as our friends - when it rains it pours!  Grandma snuggling in for one of many requested books to be read.  Notice it is Calvin and Hobbes.  That is about all the Things have been reading this summer.  hubby unearthed his stash still in the moving boxes from our last move 6 years ago and you woulda thought it was Christmas!  They have been buried in the misbehaving- but often humorous- antics of that 6 yr old all summer long.

Thing 1 picking peas in the garden.

4th of July fun at my sweet friend's house.  It was HOT so she got out the water balloons.

I love the views from her acerage - the only thing I don't like is it  is on the opposite end of town from us!

I saw online some kids using cups around their sparklers and thought this was a good idea.  It made me feel better anyways.

The obligatory pics at the Faces on our trip to the Hills.

Thing 2 became a Junior ranger.

Fun at Sylvan lake - one of our fav. stops every year.

Grandpa brought along his metal detector and had a swarm of little boys around him the entire afternoon.

Thing 2 was finally strong enough to swim out to the big rock with  Dad.

Awesome magic show with another sweet friend performing in  it in Custer.

Shop projects with Grandpa - even in retirement he is still teaching!

CO Fire update

Below is an update from a friend and fellow Nav staff in CS:


"We’re relieved that for now The Navigators headquarters building, Glen Eyrie conference center, and Eagle Lake Camp have all withstood the blaze.  Over 35 of our new EDGE Corps staff have been here for the past 8 days for their initial EDGE Training Summit.  They have all been sleeping in homes in the community, and have had to meet in multiple locations due to the evacuations. This is certainly not the way we wanted them to start their time with The Navigators.

As I type this there a number of thunderstorms popping up to the west. Please pray they would bring RAIN but NOT WIND.  It was a series of 65 mph wind gusts from a storm way back in the mountains that caused the dramatic shift in the fire yesterday afternoon. We certainly don’t want to see that repeated!!"


Here is a link of an interview with our Nav President Doug Nuenke on Fox News.  He and his wife Pam were evacuated as well along with other staff in that area.  Please keep praying for God's mercy, protection and an end to this destruction.  Thank you!

Please pray for protection from fires in CO

Please pray for protection for those in danger in CO.  And esp. near to our heart is the Navs headquarters, Eagle lake camp and Glen Eyrie conference grounds.  Below is an update from our chief of staff:
You may be aware of the wildfires raging across Colorado this summer. One fire, the Waldo Canyon Fire, started Saturday around noon. Waldo Canyon is a popular hiking area just west of Glen Eyrie. The fire spread rapidly, and as a safety precaution, Eagle Lake Camps and Glen Eyrie were both evacuated Saturday afternoon. Activities were cancelled, including week four of Eagle Lake Camps. Local churches and businesses supported The Navigators by providing food and lodging for those who were displaced.
                                
Sunday afternoon, the fire was dangerously close to Eagle Lake and approaching Queen’s Canyon, adjacent to the Glen.
                                
All Navigator property (Eagle Lake, Glen Eyrie, the International Office, and USHQ) is under a mandatory evacuation by order of the civil authorities. All offices will be closed Monday, and will reopen when the evacuation order is lifted.
                                
Many staff have been evacuated from their homes. Please pray for their families.
                                
Dawson Trotman committed our Glen Eyrie home to the Lord in 1953. We trust Him to do that which is for our good and His glory. Please pray for those fighting the fires, and for those whose homes are in the path of the blaze.
                                
In the midst of these uncertainties, we cling to Psalm 46:
                                
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea...”  
 --Psalm 46:1-2 (ESV)
                               
Serving with you,
Charlie Dokmo
Chief of Staff, U.S. President’s Office

Discipleship, Back Floats and Political Pics!

Discipleship takes on many forms in life; Thing 2 is training Thing 3 in the ways of costumes and weapons.  You can't see it but they are both wearing the  rain boots with their shorts of course! 

I'm a proud mamma!  This kid would barely get his eyes wet a few months ago and now look at him!  Swim lessons  4 days a week for the past two weeks have been a highlight for the boys (well everyone except T3 who just got to practice patience, eating gobs of snacks and self control until he gets big enough for swim lessons).

Thing 2 doing the back float.

this kid cracks me up - he LOVES doing cannon balls off the diving blocks.  He didn't realize you could dive off of them too until he saw another kid do it!  LOL

Safety Town is another great perk of living in this little prairie town of ours.  Thing 2 went for two weeks of safety training and LOVED it!  I loved that they started every day with some good o'l American values - The Pledge of Allegiance.  Obama may not "need" to wear a flag lapel pin to show his patriotism, but I'm glad my sons are growing up learning the value of the flag anyways! Since I'm getting political I may as well mention Thing 1's (8 yrs old) comment the other day as we listened to talk radio driving to all the activities, "I like listening to this and learning about the President."  I couldn't help but smile. Okay, I'll stop now...

Thing 3 is always begging for my coffee even at Safety Town graduation.  Who created this monster?

They learn how to cross a sidewalk.

The rules of the road.

Wearing their seat belts and much, much more... poison,  fires, police, strangers...etc!

At the end of two weeks they have a little graduation ceremony.

His instructor was just the sweetest!  She bought him a special toy just for memorizing his address!

With two older brothers it doesn't take them long to learn how to  "pose" hmmmm, at least he is smiling!

And another great pic of my sweet little angels.

Why do I even try?

This is as close as we got to everyone looking and smiling!

The end of spring and beginning of summer means soccer is  ending and baseball begins!

Thing 3 at his last soccer game.

Things 2 playing "soccer".

Soccer with a bunch of 5 and 6 yr olds involves a lot of things, most of them having nothing to do with the sport.

Like water breaks!  Lots of them.  And picking grass, falling down dramatically, dog-piles and kicking the ball as far as you can down the field when your teammates are nowhere near there.