Friday, August 28, 2020

What to Do?

What do you do when school is starting but you can't get into the country where your kids' school is located?  

We had to answer this question quickly early this month as it become obvious we wouldn't be able to get back into Mongolia by September 1st, the traditional first day of school all over the country.  

So we started to reach out to our friends at the Chapel Hill Christian School.  That was where Renee and Maggie, Lydia, Johanna, and Clara attended while in Akron over the years.  It had been six years since we last had our kids in school there when we called Pastor Wilson.  His immediately response when we called was yes, we have room for Josiah in 3rd grade, at either location.  We were so grateful!

Calls to Renee's other alma mater on behalf of Clara were also received well.  We are so grateful to Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy for accepting Clara as a student on such short notice.  She had to miss the first week of school because we were scheduled to be out of town that week.  But she is there now and enjoying the start to 7th grade in the US.  Who knew?  God did.

Who knew something scary like COVID-19 could work out to be a blessing?  The kids are excited to get to attend these good Christian schools in their own country and culture for a time.  God is the master of taking that which is not good, and making something good or even better out of it.  

And God provides where He guides.  The schools were of course generous in their scholarship of two missionary kids, but they have bills to pay.  Ohio is a unique state in the union which has something called Ed Choice.  It basically operates like a charter school, but you don't have to go to a special school.  You can apply for your child's public dollars for education to be applied to a school of your choice.  Though the paperwork and application process is tedious, we are optimistic both kids will be approved.  

What a country!  What a state!  What a God!  What to do?  Trust and pray to him for everything you need.

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Josiah's First Day of 3rd Grade

Last day of summer vacation, but still finding cool stuff outside.

Dressed and getting fueled up for the big day.  
Greeting the sunny day...
with Mom...
She likes her flower bush and loves her boy.  
Thank God for teachers and other everyday heroes.  

Monday, August 24, 2020

School Starting in Early August!

Since we couldn't get back to Mongolia, Clara started school at CVCA, her Mom's alma mater. 

Maggie readies for college with her new bike.  

One last game on the card table before summer is over.  

And frozen yogurt with family...
to say goodbye...
to Maggie, who is off to Wheaton!
On the way home we looked at Taylor University with Lydia
Then she and Johanna flew back to Germany for high school.
And then there were two, and beautiful evening sky.



 

Week at Lake Erie with Family













 

Locks of Old Ohio and Erie Canal



And on the towpath, where equines are no longer allowed.  
But they used to be used by mules to TOW the boats up the canals.

Family Bike Ride on Ohio's Erie Canal Tow Path

 

Wednesday, August 05, 2020

Maggie's Graduation Open House

Maggie's graduation open house was held at Riverside Alliance Church on Sunday.

The pavilion kept us dry and cool and hopefully safer considering COVID constraints, masks were worn.

With her sister and friends from church and school.

With Uncle Kevin and Aunt Kristin and church family.  

"Aunt" Suzi even drove in from an hour away to be the life of the party.

And there was cake!

With her fellow BFA student sisters....

parents...

and family...
Our graduate with high honors, congratulations Maggie!