Off to Uganda!

Daddy headed out to Uganda, Africa on May 9th for 12 days  to teach at a Pastor’s Conference. This opportunity was presented to him just two months prior and the Lord provided all the means for him to go. Justin joined him on the trip, as well. The Lord used this trip in amazing ways to grow Curtis personally. What Curtis faced he was not prepared for, but God was faithful. Curtis and Justin really received no training for this trip as to what the culture the were teaching really consisted of. Justin, having training in tribal missions, was so helpful as they navigated their three days of sessions. The travel of this trip was hard with long plane flights and long layovers. Curtis went sleepless many nights in Uganda as he adjusted to the time change and facing the unknown each day of the trip. I am very proud of Curtis for going. It was a big step of faith for us all. So glad he made it home safely. We are praying the teaching he did in Uganda will create followers of Christ who are Biblicaly literate and teach God’s Word correctly to others. 

School Roller Skating!

The kids had a really exciting week at school with the PE unit of roller skating. The skates and pads were renting for the week and the kids got to skate everyday for at least 30 minutes. Callie and I went out to watch and the teacher let her skate. They had skates that fit her and she was so excited. During the week she got to skate twice and loved it. She improved so much. The boys were great at skating, as well. I was thankful for the pads and helmets because they were going fast and crazy, at times! Daddy even put on some skates and enjoyed a few minutes of skating one day. What a fun opportunity. Definitely one to bring back next year! 

Bureau County Jr High Track Meet 2019

Cade competed in the County track meet on Monday May 6th. He placed fourth in discus at the meet. This season he has learned so much about being mentally tough and learning to overcome the struggle of his own self. Throwing takes so much mental toughness. Learning to be confident but not proud is a journey and process of maturity. 

Family Photos 2019

Our beautiful family photos by Nicole Isaacson Photography  on May 4, 2019! 

PCA Choir Concert

On Friday evening we enjoyed the Junior High Band and Choir Concert. It was a casual evening with great music and talent displayed. Cade enjoys singing in the choir. They did a nice job singing a couple songs that they sang at the ACSI Music Festival earlier in the Spring. 

Joel’s John Deere Field Trip

The morning after the basement flood, Joel had a field trip to John Deere’s homestead where he invited the first steel plow. Mom was planning on driving but asked another Mom to drive in her place just in case the basement needed attention the next morning. Thankfully we didn’t receive anymore rain and the basement maintained and Mom decided to head to the field trip an hour late. The John Deere homestead tour was filled with great information and even a blacksmith demonstration. Joel got a flattened penny as a souvenir to add to his penny collection, a special key chain, and an old fashioned soda to drink up for lunch at the gift shop. He used his own money to buy his souvenirs. After making a rag doll, the class headed to a big wooden playground for lunch and playtime. Momma headed home to get back to the basement. Joel has a great time with his friends, but lost his keychain at the park. It was sad but he learned a valuable lesson about leaving special keepsakes in a safe place and not pockets. Mrs. Glass planned a great trip for the kids! Joel has enjoyed third grade this year! 

Flood!

Our Spring has been filled with rain! Lots of rain! Day after day after day. Farmers have not been able

to get into their fields to plant making the growing season way off. There is a lot of worry for many farmers in our area. 

We received an immense amount of rain on Tuesday, April 30.  Just like every other day this Spring, Mom has been watching the basement and making sure things are picked up off the floor and not getting wet. On Wednesday afternoon I started to notice more water by the drains so decided it was time to get the transfer pump out of the back shed in case we would need it. Unfortunately it was in the way back and it was heavy so it took me some time to pull it out. After about 15 minutes, Cade (who was home not feeling well) came outside to check on me and said the water had risen. I finally got the pump out and when back to the basement to see that the water was up to my ankles. It was coming up our drains into the basement. I got lots of buckets and had Cade and Callie start bailing water as I set up one sump pump we had. Curtis also came home right away. Unfortunately the transfer pump would not stay running, so Curtis went and got another sump pump at Ace to have another pump going. The kids and I just kept bailing water and trying to get it outside. Soon Pop showed up with Joel and they started helping too. We could get on top of it because it was coming in so fast. It was probably up to 6 inches in some places. Soon Ted Heaton arrived with a BIG sump pump and after a good 15 minutes we were not longer taking on water but getting it out! We definitely would have had FEET of water if we had not been home. We are thankful the Lord protected us and gave us people to help. 

PCA Play - Silas Marner

Cade was in his first theaterical production, Silas Marner, at school on April 26 and 27. He had a small part and though he thought it would not be any fun,  the end of the production, he was inspired to work towards a bigger part next year and really enjoyed it. 

During Silas Marner he was a boy who taunted the main character. He had to speak in an accent with poor grammar. He did a great job and nailed his part! Way to go Cade! We are so excited that you tried something new and discovered that you enjoyed it! 

Play Time with a Friend!

 For a few Thursdays we had Callie’s friend Mia over for some fun! She and Callie played and played and played together! It was wonderful having Mia with us! The girls play so well together! 

And a few weeks later, Callie got to spend the afternoon at Mia’s house playing! So fun! 

Awana Graduation

On Wednesday evening after our field trip, we celebrated Callie’s Awana Cubbies graduation! We had to get pictures with this year’s leaders, Ms Beverly and Ms Jeralyn. Callie was so excited for this night and couldn’t wait for us to come and see her! We are so proud of the way Callie is a leader amongst her peers, loves the Lord, and loves others. Way to go Callie Mae!

Field Trip - Wildlife Prairie Park

Joel and Mom headed down to Peoria with his 3rd grade class to visit The Wildlife Prairie Park for a field trip. We were surprised with a nice tour through the animals in the morning with a few extra details from a guide, and then a nice presentation in the afternoon about a number of different animals - owl, snake, skunk, toad and a turtle. The kids also got to go down a big slide and ride on the train. It was a fun day together!