So, Kya’s birthday celebration was actually a series of 3 days – it takes some time to really get in a good celebration 
6. Having a great time on the Go karts – Elli and Kya got to drive by themselves first, then we hit the big track together
5. Great times with Ang’s parents at the riverwalk and the splashpad in Elkhart – birthday cupcakes
4. We give Kya some Wedgets (picture caption. . . don’t mess with me wedgets!), and he has been playing with them ever since – loves them! Ok. . . .I have spent some time there too
3. Some fun family pictures before heading off to the GCC arts picnic, which was great. . . sorry, no pix from that.
2. We were sitting at the dinner table, and in between bites of his dinner – Kya, out of nowhere, asks. . . “So, how does Jesus get into my heart anyway?” - I love when God throws in some surprises, just to remind us that He is always with us.
1. Birthday singing from Elkhart, Indiana, USA
to Capetown, South Africa
Wow- it has been a long month and a half, but I am ready to get back into the swing of blogging again . This semester ends a period of time that might have been one of the most refining times of my life thus far. . . but, we’ll get to that some other time
I thought about catching you up on everything, but that would take a book, not a blog – plus, I know some of you have been following me on twitter – and greenlockers on twitter too – so, I am just going to start with a top 10 list of things that I have learned in the last month and half:
10. Lasik is a modern day miracle – seriously going from 20/600 to 20/15 over the course of 5 minutes. . . . . . . . come’on that’s just crazy!
9. God’s adventure (i.e., greenLockers) is wilder than I ever could have imagined
8. Not much compares to seeing a “smaller than average” middle school student encouraging his “much larger” peers to not waste schools supplies, but to donate them instead, and he did not know that I was watching
7. I don’t hear anyone talking about parenting in a positive light – about how wonderful it is to be a Dad or a Mom – I plan on changing that a little bit (get ready for . . . . “parenting tips” – coming soon to this blog ). I figured my wife is currently teaching college course called “Parenting” and I teach Child Growth and Development as well as Adolescent Growth and Development – though we ourselves still have a lot to learn, and are NOT perfect by any means!!!! – we also have a lot to share
6. This is one of my favorite pictures of Kya so far – love his Spirit
5. My wife does not get even a 10th of the credit that she deserves. . . – Here is Dane smiling at her during bath time – yeah, he loves her!
4. I am excited about the God’s plan to use the Church (with all of her quirks) to move His kingdom forward. Here are some middle schoolers from GSM cleaning out 800 bins. . . in the rain!
3. The heart of Bethel students continues to impress me – countless students gave up time and effort to FREELY give up parts of their summer for greenLockers
2. Absolutely NOTHING compares to “intentional use of time” and “open communication” when a family is running fully on mission (i.e., the busy, stressful times of the “six days” before the “7th day” rest period)
1. Blogging and many other “good” things/opportunities are important to me for many reasons, but my family is more important – specifically, being the best husband and father that I can be – - WILL ALWAYS take precedent over me saving my public face. – here is a picture after Dane’s dedication at church.
So, we had a great time Saturday night going to the zoo (yeah . . . we have season passes. . .), and one of our favorite things every year is the “zoo boo”. . . . Basically, the zoo is lit up with “Christmas” lights and there are patrons that line the sides of the walkway giving away candy and flyers. . . so, you get stuff like candy taped onto “3 months of free Karate” etc…. – Good times
Here are some pictures of the kids inthe costumes . . . . did I mention. . . . all of South Bend and Mishawaka were there!!
