Josh's Birthday

This is Josh with his birthday present - his sax. He has played it a lot already - and it sounds good - or is it him? When he started playing, seven years ago, it looked so big. It appears to have shrunk a little!

He has had quite a good week - he passed his driving test on Thursday. He's really pleased. It'll be handy having another driver in the house, but I still think 16 is rather young to be driving those powerful tin boxes around. I originally told the children they would have to wait until they were the same age I was when I learned to drive.... which was.... 28! Ha! In a country where children think, like having a name, and the right to an opinion, driving is merely one of their human rights! why walk, when you can pollute the atmosphere and avoid exercise at the same time?

Oh well, as if he wasn't already getting a lot of prayer - he'll now be getting a lot more.

Darryl "Shannon" Pickett, 1989 - 2007

It's not really a 'musing' as such, more of a reflection... a 17 year old I have never met, who attended Evanston Township High School, would have been a senior in the Fall, and was probably known to my children, Darryl "Shannon" Pickett, was shot to death not even a block away from the school, in broad daylight on Thursday afternoon at about 1.40pm. OK, it happened in an alley; OK there had been an 'altercation' - but, so what! It is so senseless. This star football player has had his life taken away from him in its prime, and the guy who fired the shot, just destroyed his own. Apparently Shannon was defending his brother.

It is just so sad. My 'musing' on the subject is that maybe, just maybe, had guns not been involved... and there had been an altercation... maybe there would have been cuts and bruises - OK broken limbs maybe... but maybe, just maybe, Shannon would not have lost his life, and the other guy, the one who fired the shots would not be in fear for his own. What does the future hold for him?

There must be more than this! I cry out to God - for as the Psalmist says - that's where my hope comes from. But what of Shannon's family? his neighbors? the kids at the High School who pass that alley daily? the guys who played on the football team with him? even the guy on the run? where does their hope come from? My prayer is that this death would not have been in vain; that action will be taken in the community and in the city to make sure of that. How? I really don't know, but I'm praying to One who does...

So, we have started a new term with Vineyard Leadership Institute (VLI). This term we are studying Church History and Theology - now there's good beach reading for you!

Actually, to tell the truth, I am finding it quite fascinating. At a baptism at our church this past Sunday, we all recited the Nicene Creed (check out www.creeds.net/ancient/nicene) which was written during the 4th Century... that means that for four hundred years it didn't exist! It amazes me that something we take as norm (well OK in a non-traditional church like the Vineyard it's not exactly recited every week like it was in the Anglican church I attended growing up) was debated and agonized over and struggled with until we came up with something memorable that encompasses the basics of the Christian faith. Well, I find it fascinating anyway!

I have no idea what to do for my leadership project this term - any ideas? What I don't get is why, in the States, do we have to study during the summer? In UK, they get the summer off! OK it takes a little longer to finish the whole course (27 months as opposed to 23 months) - but I'd be willing to suffer like that in exchange for some guilt free novel reading at the beach instead!

Talking about graduations... here are a few pictures of Esther and hers as she graduated Haven Middle School where she has been for the last three years.

To the left we have Esther in the dress bought especially for the occasion, and to the right we have Esther with good friend Alyssa. These girls have been friends since they shared the same teacher back in Kindergarten all those years ago.


Esther's time at Haven has been an interesting three years, I think in many ways we are glad to have them behind us. ... I remember some really tough times which were such a struggle for all of us... with failing grades, questions about the purpose of life (and was it really necessary?), friendship dynamics and disappointments. Throughout the struggles, however, there was always the constant of Rob Tajada and the Haven Band ... this in many ways was what got Esther up in the morning and ultimately through these Haven years and for which I am very grateful.

However, Esther commented the other day of how she has such good memories of Haven, how 7th Grade was a great year (my negative comments above came mainly from her 7th Grade!) and how she shall miss being there. That really wasn't our experience... but memory is a weird thing!

We are now preparing for Evanston Township High School. Esther is at summer school at the moment doing Graphic Design and STAE (Steps Towards Academic Excellence) - a scheme for those who are clever - yet don't do the work. It aims to catch them before they even think about not doing so. Sounds good to me - where was such a scheme when I needed it all those years ago?

She is also spending the afternoons at tennis camp ... Wimbledon here we come (if only for the Pims and stawberries and cream...)

This is Nathan and school chum Eric proudly presenting their display at the recent Haven Middle School 6th Grade Science Fair.

Eric and Nathan were setting fire to all sorts of items in our fire place and studying which would burn the longest. It was quite fascinating. Eric had his camera on a tripod, and recorded all their findings.

They typed up their results and displayed them on the board.

Us Proud Parents having studied the hard working student's displays thoroughly left the evening highly informed on issues such as which water is best to give to plants; whether plants thrive when given either milk, soda or water; which bread goes moldy the quickest; how to make sugar and salt crystals; battery power and much much more.

I've just celebrated another 'first'!

Yesterday I went to my first ever Bridal Shower! I have managed to live in the States for eleven years, and have never been to one before. I have nothing to compare it with. I don't know what everyone else's experience with Bridal Showers are, but I was very pleased with my first experience of one.

The beautiful Bride-to-be was Patience Decker and we met at the home of Pat Dinges in Skokie. It was a beautiful day, the food was wonderful, the company more so, and fun was had by all. As the presents were opened we (like the Good Fairies in Sleeping Beauty) gave her a wish for the future - I felt I needed a magic wand - but God is actually more reliable so I managed without. My wish for the happy couple was that they should never lose their sense of adventure - no matter how many children they have. I think of Nehemiah and his team rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem with swords in their hands, and imagine Patience and Brian Pederson, her intended, building church with babies on their hips ...! Who needs two hands anyway?

One comment made was that we should hold Showers to celebrate anniversaries - that sounds like a good idea. We could do with some decent sheets, and our twentieth anniversary is this September. Really? really! - can't really believe it's been that long, but that's what the certificate says so it must be true!

Another 'first' this week - not for me, but for Esther - as well as graduating Haven Middle School (photos to follow), she has dyed her hair black. The rule was 'no dying of hair until out of middle school' - and now she's making the most of the lifting of the hair coloring restrictions. It's been done twice already due to an unevenness in color the first time. I am sure we shall go through the full selection of shades and I will try and photograph as many as I can!

We have just walked in the door having been to Matt's High School Graduation. This was held in the Northwestern University McGaw Arena - where it is more common to see a basketball game than a graduation. The acoustics made it feel rather like a swimming pool - I really wouldn't like to have been the sound engineer for an event like this, it's impossible to hear anyone clearly. I am glad the speeches were short!

I was very proud as the graduates dressed in their navy robes, sporting mortar-boards (is that what they are called here? they are in UK) ambled in to the Band playing Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance". As they came in I looked for those students I have known since they were shorter than me and now tower above me. I am proud that they have come this far and that I was able to witness, along with their families, the celebration of this milestone. As Matt walked in he did appear to have some trouble keeping the hat upon his head and took it off as soon as they sat down.

For a graduation ceremony I think it went very speedily. They had got this down to a fine art. For the presentation of the students, there were two lines of students either side of the stage. Two counselors one after the other would announce a student's name, both the students would receive their diplomas* and walk off the stage down the center steps together and this process was repeated - almost getting through two students at a time. This kept things moving very swiftly. We did manage to get in a cheer for Matt, and also for Justin - just 'cause! - which totally embarrassed Josh - oops!

*they didn't actually receive their diplomas on the stage, they were given them as they left the Arena... makes sense I guess - saving someone the task of inserting the diplomas into the folder - and then trying to hand out the right ones on the stage...!

Oh well, it has been a week of news. A close friend is very sad this week, her fiance broke off the engagement (guess that makes him an ex-fiance) - very sad for everyone who knows and loves her. You know who you are if you are reading this - we love you very much, and will always put the kettle on any time you need it!

Also, Matt found out yesterday, much to his delight, that he has been offered a place at the University of Illinois. He had been hoping to get in and has been on the waiting list for ages. We had totally given up hope, and were following plans to send him off to the University of Iowa. He was so pleased. Best friend Justin is also going there - I wonder if the University is ready for both of them?!


And just for the sake of fun, here is a comparison - Matt on his first day of High School, and also on his last. Spot the Difference!