So much to say

September has been full. We had our friends Jeremy (Dad) and Nikki (daughter) with us for a few days. Nikki is 25 & I've known her since she was 18 months. Jeremy & his wife Mary mentored me at university & later Ron & me when we got married. It was lovely to relate to Nikki as an adult - a great adult - who now spends her time in Ecuador working in a squatter community doing advocacy work - finding sponsors in Canada so kids can go to school, helping the poor and uneducated get the health care they need in a very corrupt health care system.

Isn't it a rich blessing when you've known someone for 23 years?

Dan started high school. He has an amazing work ethic. He is incredulous that the teacher assigns work & students don't do it! His teachers are mostly different than Kate's but he is getting along very well. Wednesdays we have a weekly Bible Study & feed the students night - he decided he couldn't go because he had too much homework! Kate was shocked!

Kate started university. She wasn't too impressed the first day. But, after 5 days of classes she likes it. She noted, "I don't think I'll be able to knit in class. You actually have to take NOTES in university. It is much better than high school." She was pleasantly surprised that in her French class she can make some of those "French" sounds - she & Ron think it is because Ron spoke to her in French a little over the years. She is starting to make friends - she especially enjoys the smaller classes/tutorials where you have the opportunity to meet people.

Sarah, Matt & Sam are into homeschooling full swing. We have a little morning routine that is working quite well. I have been reading through the Little House books and also through the Bible each day. I pointed out that the Little House books are pure as snow - but the Bible on the other hand is full of sex, swindling and seduction - and lots of mentions of penises to keep things spicey. You don't believe me? Read Genesis! Amazing how they avoid those stories in Sunday School.

We also had visitors from Manitoba - Henry & Anna are Mennonite friends originally from Paraguay. I was very nervous to cook for Anna - her daughter Susanna is my cooking mentor. But she was gracious and even complemented me on the chicken/red lentil/squash soup I made for Sunday lunch - little did she know it didn't turn out anything like what I wanted!

We have also been doing a lot of "Meet and Greet" things for new students. We did 3 BBQs in two days. Ron wreaked of BBQ. We don't care if we don't see another burger for a long time.

That's it. I'm off to Frenchies as the kids are looking for Hallowe'en costumes.

Sending love to all our faithful readers.

~Marsha