Friday, May 23, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Graduation!
Sunday evening was the seminary commencement. Thankfully the church where we were was air conditioned. Carl went early for rehearsal with Wendell, Nate, and Budi. I came at 4:30, just in time to check the kids into child care and make my way into the sanctuary. I was fully loaded with my video camera as well as my digital camera. I wasn't going to miss a moment.
I got a bit choked up when Carl and the other grads came in. He was just beaming. There were a few songs that were sung, a few opening remarks, and the main speaker. I was just waiting for the presentation of the grads and their walk across the stage to get their hood and degree papers.
I stood there with tears welling up in my eyes with pride as I saw Carl march across the stage. It was an awesome moment; a moment I have been waiting for for the last 6 years. I told Carl all of this packing, traveling across the continent, leaving our jobs, our families, our friends, putting up with growing pains, putting up with the stresses of being students....it all comes down to this moment of recognition. And it was all worth it.
After, there was a grad response, and one of the graduates had some very meaningful things to say. I could tell that he was gifted in preaching. Greg said something that was pretty profound for me,
"Whatever God calls you to, He will equip you for".
So true, so true.....
After the grand recessional, we all made our way out to congratulate the grads. There were many hugs and tears and pictures, and more pictures and hugs. I almost forgot to get the kids. Joel made a bee line for the refreshments (and got buzzed on the red dye #5 juice) and Kezia and Asha were a bit overwhelmed with all the people around. We didn't stay for long because it was still very hot outside and we were off to another party.
Nate and Maddie and Carl and myself organized a waffle extravaganza at the court. We wanted to have a grad/goodbye party; some people were leaving the next day. It was good to be together for one last time, though it was disappointing that some people didn't come. And for me, that last gathering was symbolic of how the entire year has been with this community. Sigh.
So after the waffles, we headed home. The kids gave final kisses and hugs to Derek and Laura and I took them home while Carl and Wendell headed to help them load up their trailer. It was 11:30 before they came back and I still wanted to say goodbye to Laura. I swore I heard gunshots and so I had Carl come along with me while Wendell stayed home.
It was hard to say goodbye to Laura. Sure, I'll see her in a few weeks back in Canada, but by that time, she will probably already have her baby and things will be different. She'll be tired and her and Derek will be getting to know their new son. But on the way home, I realized that part of me is saddened that we are leaving this place where our friendship blossomed. It's like sacred ground and we are both moving off of it. When we reunite, we will have family and friends and new babies that will effect how we can relate to each other as friends. We will always be friends, but I wish I could take the sacred ground with me, and not have to figuratively hold it in my heart.
Oh such a day; what an emotional day!
I got a bit choked up when Carl and the other grads came in. He was just beaming. There were a few songs that were sung, a few opening remarks, and the main speaker. I was just waiting for the presentation of the grads and their walk across the stage to get their hood and degree papers.
I stood there with tears welling up in my eyes with pride as I saw Carl march across the stage. It was an awesome moment; a moment I have been waiting for for the last 6 years. I told Carl all of this packing, traveling across the continent, leaving our jobs, our families, our friends, putting up with growing pains, putting up with the stresses of being students....it all comes down to this moment of recognition. And it was all worth it.
After, there was a grad response, and one of the graduates had some very meaningful things to say. I could tell that he was gifted in preaching. Greg said something that was pretty profound for me,
"Whatever God calls you to, He will equip you for".
So true, so true.....
After the grand recessional, we all made our way out to congratulate the grads. There were many hugs and tears and pictures, and more pictures and hugs. I almost forgot to get the kids. Joel made a bee line for the refreshments (and got buzzed on the red dye #5 juice) and Kezia and Asha were a bit overwhelmed with all the people around. We didn't stay for long because it was still very hot outside and we were off to another party.
Nate and Maddie and Carl and myself organized a waffle extravaganza at the court. We wanted to have a grad/goodbye party; some people were leaving the next day. It was good to be together for one last time, though it was disappointing that some people didn't come. And for me, that last gathering was symbolic of how the entire year has been with this community. Sigh.
So after the waffles, we headed home. The kids gave final kisses and hugs to Derek and Laura and I took them home while Carl and Wendell headed to help them load up their trailer. It was 11:30 before they came back and I still wanted to say goodbye to Laura. I swore I heard gunshots and so I had Carl come along with me while Wendell stayed home.
It was hard to say goodbye to Laura. Sure, I'll see her in a few weeks back in Canada, but by that time, she will probably already have her baby and things will be different. She'll be tired and her and Derek will be getting to know their new son. But on the way home, I realized that part of me is saddened that we are leaving this place where our friendship blossomed. It's like sacred ground and we are both moving off of it. When we reunite, we will have family and friends and new babies that will effect how we can relate to each other as friends. We will always be friends, but I wish I could take the sacred ground with me, and not have to figuratively hold it in my heart.
Oh such a day; what an emotional day!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
What a Saturday - Part II
Now all throughout this day, I was just about imploding because of the secret I had been holding for many many weeks. I had to be careful not to let the cat out of the bag, but boy it was hard.
So I just told Maddie a few weeks ago, and then I had to tell a few people at homegroup, and by then I figured I should tell Laura and Megan and Sarah, but I was good and I didn't tell the kids. They would have spilled the beans.
I knew that Wendell, Carl's brother, was flying in to surprise him for his graduation. All Saturday I was jittery and couldn't stop straightening things. I figured that Carl knew something because the day I was reading my email with Wendell's itinerary, Carl was standing right behind me. Nope, he was too tired to notice the subject line in my email. Whew!
By supper time I thought I would jump out of my skin. Ray and Kelly were going to pick Wendell up from the airport at 1 a.m. and bring him to our place. My earlier idea was to sneak out of the house, but I knew that Carl would wake up and wonder where the heck I was going at 12:30 at night on a Saturday. Ray and Kelly said the surprise had to be big and they offered to get Wendell and bring him right to our door. I made arrangements for the gate to be unlocked and so all I had to do was wait.
At 11:00 I was feeling sleepy, but I couldn't stop smiling. By 11:30 I started to giggle and so I jumped up and put away the dishes. At midnight I announced I was going to bed. A few minutes later Carl joined me and I lay there in the dark, trying hard not to laugh or squirm around.
It was 12:37........Wendell will be at the airport in 32 minutes
It was 12: 51........Wendell will be at the airport in 18 minutes
It was 1:09......WENDELL LANDED, WENDELL LANDED!!!!!!
Roll over Kathy before you start snorting!
It's 1:42 and there's a bang at the door!
"Carl, get up! There's someone at the door".
"Where's my robe? What's going on? Who? What time is it?"
"Hurry and get the door!" Snort, giggle, snort
By the time Carl got to the door, I was jumping up and down behind him. He opened the door without even looking through the peephole. He looked, "What?" He shook his head and paused. "Wendell...WENDELL! What are you doing here?"
He was completely and utterly surprised. It was awesome. We pulled it off! We got Wendell in and Carl looked like a dazed deer in the headlights for about 10 minutes. We visited for a while, and then at 2 a.m. we all settled in for the night. I was smiling so much my ears hurt.
The next morning Joel and Kezia woke up to find their uncle sleeping in the living room. Joel stumbled out, saw Wendell and casually said good morning before he headed to the bathroom. Kezia stood and smiled and smiled and smiled and then gave him a big hug. Asha crawled to within a few feet of Wendell, stood up against the couch and laughed.
And Carl was still in shock that his brother came for his graduation!
So I just told Maddie a few weeks ago, and then I had to tell a few people at homegroup, and by then I figured I should tell Laura and Megan and Sarah, but I was good and I didn't tell the kids. They would have spilled the beans.
I knew that Wendell, Carl's brother, was flying in to surprise him for his graduation. All Saturday I was jittery and couldn't stop straightening things. I figured that Carl knew something because the day I was reading my email with Wendell's itinerary, Carl was standing right behind me. Nope, he was too tired to notice the subject line in my email. Whew!
By supper time I thought I would jump out of my skin. Ray and Kelly were going to pick Wendell up from the airport at 1 a.m. and bring him to our place. My earlier idea was to sneak out of the house, but I knew that Carl would wake up and wonder where the heck I was going at 12:30 at night on a Saturday. Ray and Kelly said the surprise had to be big and they offered to get Wendell and bring him right to our door. I made arrangements for the gate to be unlocked and so all I had to do was wait.
At 11:00 I was feeling sleepy, but I couldn't stop smiling. By 11:30 I started to giggle and so I jumped up and put away the dishes. At midnight I announced I was going to bed. A few minutes later Carl joined me and I lay there in the dark, trying hard not to laugh or squirm around.
It was 12:37........Wendell will be at the airport in 32 minutes
It was 12: 51........Wendell will be at the airport in 18 minutes
It was 1:09......WENDELL LANDED, WENDELL LANDED!!!!!!
Roll over Kathy before you start snorting!
It's 1:42 and there's a bang at the door!
"Carl, get up! There's someone at the door".
"Where's my robe? What's going on? Who? What time is it?"
"Hurry and get the door!" Snort, giggle, snort
By the time Carl got to the door, I was jumping up and down behind him. He opened the door without even looking through the peephole. He looked, "What?" He shook his head and paused. "Wendell...WENDELL! What are you doing here?"
He was completely and utterly surprised. It was awesome. We pulled it off! We got Wendell in and Carl looked like a dazed deer in the headlights for about 10 minutes. We visited for a while, and then at 2 a.m. we all settled in for the night. I was smiling so much my ears hurt.
The next morning Joel and Kezia woke up to find their uncle sleeping in the living room. Joel stumbled out, saw Wendell and casually said good morning before he headed to the bathroom. Kezia stood and smiled and smiled and smiled and then gave him a big hug. Asha crawled to within a few feet of Wendell, stood up against the couch and laughed.
And Carl was still in shock that his brother came for his graduation!
What a Saturday!
On Saturday morning Joel had his last baseball game. Well, I was sorry that I didn't bring my video camera. Oh well. Joel had a great game. Kezia and Asha enjoyed themselves watching, and Kezia was feeling much better.
Now sometimes Joel had a tendancy to get bored and hot in the outfield so he would daydream and stand there, never running after the ball, fooling around with his hat. I kept telling him that he needs to keep his eye on the ball, first so he can chase after it and help his team, but second, he might get hit. "yeah, yeah, I'll watch for the ball...."
While his team was batting, a little girl in outfield wasn't watching for the ball and ended up getting hit right in the eye. Oh there was howling! I felt so bad for her. Joel looked at her in sympathy and then I think all the things I told him clicked. He got out into the field, crouched down and ran like mad for the ball. Nothing like a little fear to get them going!
The last inning of the game, Joel's team was up to bat. The new coach was having trouble getting Joel positioned to hit. We parents kept yelling, "He's a lefty!". Finally the coach got Joel set up and pitched the ball to him. The first ball, Joel missed, so he re-positioned himself and made himself ready. The second pitch came right at him and WHACK! went the ball right passed second base, passed the outfielder and just kept going. Kezia jumped up and hollered, "RUN, Joel, RUN!" And run he did. To first base....second base....third base...and HOME! He was so proud of himself.
After the game I found out Joel was done his little baseball season and I thought, what an awesome way to end. I was so proud of him.
Now sometimes Joel had a tendancy to get bored and hot in the outfield so he would daydream and stand there, never running after the ball, fooling around with his hat. I kept telling him that he needs to keep his eye on the ball, first so he can chase after it and help his team, but second, he might get hit. "yeah, yeah, I'll watch for the ball...."
While his team was batting, a little girl in outfield wasn't watching for the ball and ended up getting hit right in the eye. Oh there was howling! I felt so bad for her. Joel looked at her in sympathy and then I think all the things I told him clicked. He got out into the field, crouched down and ran like mad for the ball. Nothing like a little fear to get them going!
The last inning of the game, Joel's team was up to bat. The new coach was having trouble getting Joel positioned to hit. We parents kept yelling, "He's a lefty!". Finally the coach got Joel set up and pitched the ball to him. The first ball, Joel missed, so he re-positioned himself and made himself ready. The second pitch came right at him and WHACK! went the ball right passed second base, passed the outfielder and just kept going. Kezia jumped up and hollered, "RUN, Joel, RUN!" And run he did. To first base....second base....third base...and HOME! He was so proud of himself.
After the game I found out Joel was done his little baseball season and I thought, what an awesome way to end. I was so proud of him.
Graduation Banquet
On Friday evening, the graduation festivities started. We had a lovely banquet on the lawn beside the library. We were experiencing the first heat wave of the year, so it was a bit sticky being outside in the 100 degree weather (that's 37 for you Canucks).
I was so excited for a number of reasons; first, obviously because it was to celebrate Carl's graduation, second, because I had bought a new dress with Laura and was so excited to wear it, and third, there was a wonderful meal planned that I would not have to clean up after....and my kids were being taken care of all evening!
We walked over to the library lawn at 6:00. We would have been there earlier, but Kezia puked on the sidewalk and we had to go home and change her dress. She was feeling a bit under the weather, but I was so proud of her because she managed to get most of it in the flower garden and not all over herself! (the things that thrill a mother....)
We sat with three other couples; Mark, a professor, and his wife Lynn, Mark and Lori, another seminary couple, and Cam and Shauna, who work at the seminary. It was such fun visiting with them, and we shared lots of laughs. The meal was amazing, fish, chicken, beef, asparagus, broccoli, salad, rolls.....it was heavenly. Carl was one out of the two graduates that spoke that evening. He shared on all the things that he still doesn't have answers to; it was quite humorous. But he also encouraged the grads, as well as the rest of us, to never stop asking questions. "May you find answers, but more importantly, may you always have questions".
After the banquet, we posed for some pictures with friends. Later on, Carl and the guys had one last soccer game, as some of the court residents would be moving on Sunday. It was a lovely evening. A little bittersweet as we knew it was only hours before we would have to start saying goodbye.
.
I was so excited for a number of reasons; first, obviously because it was to celebrate Carl's graduation, second, because I had bought a new dress with Laura and was so excited to wear it, and third, there was a wonderful meal planned that I would not have to clean up after....and my kids were being taken care of all evening!
We walked over to the library lawn at 6:00. We would have been there earlier, but Kezia puked on the sidewalk and we had to go home and change her dress. She was feeling a bit under the weather, but I was so proud of her because she managed to get most of it in the flower garden and not all over herself! (the things that thrill a mother....)
We sat with three other couples; Mark, a professor, and his wife Lynn, Mark and Lori, another seminary couple, and Cam and Shauna, who work at the seminary. It was such fun visiting with them, and we shared lots of laughs. The meal was amazing, fish, chicken, beef, asparagus, broccoli, salad, rolls.....it was heavenly. Carl was one out of the two graduates that spoke that evening. He shared on all the things that he still doesn't have answers to; it was quite humorous. But he also encouraged the grads, as well as the rest of us, to never stop asking questions. "May you find answers, but more importantly, may you always have questions".
After the banquet, we posed for some pictures with friends. Later on, Carl and the guys had one last soccer game, as some of the court residents would be moving on Sunday. It was a lovely evening. A little bittersweet as we knew it was only hours before we would have to start saying goodbye.
.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Keep Swimming...
In the last two days, Joel and Kezia have had the opportunity to go swimming twice.
Once with Derek and Laura yesterday,
.
.
And today for their first swimming lesson. They will be at the pool for the next three weeks at least three times a week. Kezia was feeling a bit under the weather, so she wasn't as excited as usual. But Joel was psyched about being the pool and showing Robert all the things he can do. I was glad that Joel was willing to try all the things that Robert asked of him.
And Asha didn't have a great time in the beginning, but I managed to get her comfortable enough in the water with the float that Irene and Roger gave her. She was not happy about crawling on the deck because it was so hot, so she did her famous monkey walk. I'm glad that she and I can spend time in the pool; maybe she will learn to love the water. And it's exciting that Joel and Kezia will learn the important skill of swimming.
.
Once with Derek and Laura yesterday,
.
.
And today for their first swimming lesson. They will be at the pool for the next three weeks at least three times a week. Kezia was feeling a bit under the weather, so she wasn't as excited as usual. But Joel was psyched about being the pool and showing Robert all the things he can do. I was glad that Joel was willing to try all the things that Robert asked of him.
And Asha didn't have a great time in the beginning, but I managed to get her comfortable enough in the water with the float that Irene and Roger gave her. She was not happy about crawling on the deck because it was so hot, so she did her famous monkey walk. I'm glad that she and I can spend time in the pool; maybe she will learn to love the water. And it's exciting that Joel and Kezia will learn the important skill of swimming.
.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
