I've not made any entries as our days were filled with fixing meals, driving the girls (Rachel and Noelle), gardening, and creating a cement block "patio" outside our RV door. The weather remained quiet warm and humid during the days but we finally started getting some cooler nights - how delightful that has been. It is the first signs that maybe fall is indeed coming though it certainly wasn't any better for those in schools with no air conditioning. Luckily that wasn't us!!!!
Rachel is in full swing with school classes via computer now and is very occupied with classes and homework. It was a surprise to her to hear her mother speaking at the open of her Spanish class one morning. Jen is staying at her Spanish teacher's home in Portland, Oregan along with Abbi and got up early enough to "attend" the class which is taught from the teacher's home via computer. "Hola, Coca Cola" is apparently the typical opening of class and Jen said that. Rachel knew it wasn't the teacher and wasn't expecting her mom so didn't immediately pick up on the voice but eventually she did. What a surprise for her!!
Rachel also has a homeschoolers gym class at a local church so needed to be taken there on Thursday after lunch. Otherwise her travel needs were basically to the local Butler High School for daily swim practice from 3-5 most days with an additional hour thrown in 2 days a week for weight lifting. Then on Saturday mornings she also swims for several hours. She comes home starving so I've been trying to always have dinner available for her and the rest of the family the minute she walks in the door.
Noelle gets a ride to her Portersville Christian School but usually needs a ride home because she has either a volleyball game or practice after school - at least that is what we experienced. However, apparently there are times when practice is after dinner so she needs to come home and then go back. We were able to attend games twice. The one on Tuesday, September 21 was far more exciting as it wasn't so one sided with them on the losing side. This time each team won a game and then the other team pulled ahead at the end and won. Noelle did quite well with her serving and many of the volleys. All of the girls are really just beginning to learn the game and skills so each game shows improvement in the play of the girls.(below Abbi has just served)
Both girls are in the youth group at church but this past Sunday, Dan was teaching the middle schooler section of the group so he took them and brought them home. Sundays, we were the "other car" which meant we didn't have to go with Dad who goes fairly early to prepare for the service. However, because Ken sang with the choir and Noelle played the keyboard for Praise Team we did still have to go early enough for those practices before the service.
This past Sunday, the Sunday School was for everyone from teens up. Some baked goods were out to enjoy along with coffee, tea and hot chocolate while we chatted with members before settling down in the Fellowship Hall to hear from a missionary couple the church has been supporting for 25 years. They have just been moved from West Point to the Virginia Military Academy and shared some of their experiences getting acquainted with students and providing not only one on one counseling and support but regular Bible studies. All of this to try and grow our military leaders in Christian leadership. They were quick to say it is much harder to do today than it use to be because of the new "rules" and guidelines that keep happening that discourage anything that has to do with Christianity.
Jen and Abbi returned around midnight on Monday, September 19 so we were able to see them for at least a little bit on Tuesday though they were both very tired - Abbi especially. They did have a great time though and Abbi was expecially thrilled with a couple of the restaurants they went to that had food she could eat without having to give alot of guidelines and then wonder if there were followed. One of the restaurants - the Caveman (or something like that) had a menu filled with food she could eat. What a thrill it was for her to not have to worry about what to choose.
It took us several days of very hard work to dig through the compacted stone outside our RV door so that we could put down leveling sand and then 32 - 16 inch blocks to create our little patio. But we were thrilled with the results and hope it will survive freeze thaw weather this winter. It will give us a spot we can sweep and keep weed free and best of all keep us from tracking in the tiny gravel stones that were there.
Sadly we learned Tuesday that Lois Ryan died so another long time member and friend has now died. How sad it is for us to know so many that we have known and spent lots of time with through the years is no longer with us but how grateful we are to know she is with her Lord and free of pain. We had seen her at church while we were there so she was not ill for long.
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