Up On the Roof Top, Click, Click,, Click

In the afternoon our students are busy with Practical Training Class. This course helps to prepare people for some of the physical work they will need to do on the field. We also hope that the students will learn a few new skills that would be a help to them on the mission field. Most of our first year students have been on a roofing project this past week. They have been replacing the roof on one of the student housing building. We did experience at least one day where it was threatening to rain. The guys did an awesome job in working together on this project.

Class Update

Here at the Training Center classes are in full swing. Vern just finished teaching a module on the introduction to cross culture church planting. Peter is now teaching a module on Animism. Barry is also teaching "Foundations for Living".

Across the Miles

Both of Vern's parents come from large families, therefore, Vern has MANY aunts and uncles spread over several Provinces. On Monday and Tuesday Uncle Art and Aunt Carol were here for a visit. They live on the West coast and were here visiting Aunt Carol's family. They will be spending two weeks here in Ontario and it was a treat for them to travel a couple of hours out of their way to come and visit us and Wes & Brenda.

TEE TIME

Yesterday the 7th-12th grade gym class went golfing. Titus was quite excited about it as he had never gone golfing before. They ended up getting rained on and I heard a few complaints of swore shoulders. But the kids had a GREAT time and were so glad for the opportunity to have some "Tee Time".

Monday Morning Fellowship Time

Yesterday we started our "Monday Morning Fellowship Time" for the first time of the semester. It is a time where all of the first and second year students and staff get together for a time of singing and then a devotional. Right after that we have a coffee and donut time together. It is a great time for all of us to connect with each other. Right now we don't have a classroom big enough for the first and second year to have classes in the same building. In a few years we hope that will be different and we will have a lot more of those connecting times. But for now our "Monday Morning Fellowship Times" brings us together for some encouragement through the Word and through friendships.

Take the 10,000 Step a Day Challenge

In an effort to get back in shape I have been doing a lot of walking. And about a month ago I was listening to a program about fitness and it was saying how everyone should try to reach 10,000 steps every day or 70,000 steps a week. I was interested to see how many steps I take a day and so YES, I went out and bought a pedometer so I could see just how I was doing. Now, it can be a little deceiving as there are some forms of exercising that will not register on a pedometer. I have an exercise bike that does not register a work out as a regular step. But don't let that discourage you. I have enjoyed using my pedometer to gage just how active I have been and it has been an encouragement to keep moving to reach those 10,000 steps in a day. So how about you taking the "10,000 Step a Day Challenge".

Getting to know you.......getting to know all about you

Last night we had a social for all the 1st. year staff and student ladies. Kathy did a great job of opening up her home, decorating, and giving us a nice welcoming place for our get together. Since we are all still getting to know each other we played a couple of games that helped to get to know interesting things about each other. Ruth was a big help in leading the first game. It is just like the "Speed Dating" game. We were all paired up with another lady and Ruth read us a question. We would then answer the question with our partner until Ruth rang the bell. Then the ladies on the one side would get up and move one spot over. All through the game you are visiting with someone new. It is a great way to have little conversations with each lady and learn something that we might not have known about each other. We played another interactive game and then had some snacks. We had some really good times of connecting and laughing together. We look forward to more great times together this year.

Open House

We have been enjoying having our students in our home for a meal. It is great to reconnect with our second year students and also to get to know our first year students. The first year class is made up of a lot of families with small children. It has been fun to get to know not only the parents but their children as well.

Special Delivery

This weekend I have been pretty busy working on sorting and organizing things. I was upstairs totally engrossed in my project and when I looked up my hubby was standing there with a dozen roses. It sure was a very welcome surprise.

Reclaiming the Yard

We have wanted to get in the yard and doing some different projects but it seemed like all our weekends were busy. However, yesterday was the perfect day to work in the yard. So Vern, Ruth, and Titus worked together on some different projects. The fence Vern built last year needed to be weather treated. And since it was a nice sunny day out Ruth decided it would be the prefect job to help out while trying to soak up some rays. The weeds had taken over the garden so there was a lot of weeding going on and Vern also repotted some of our house plants that were out growing their pots. Since Vern's parents always had a garden and Vern always did yard work for them he has a greener thumb then I do. Since it was a nice sunny day Vern and the kids were able to go down to the lake to cool off. While all the action was going on outside I was inside sorting and decluttering. It maybe wasn't as fun of a day as going to the beach but it sure felt good at the end of the day to see how nice things were looking.