The End of an Era

It's over. No more high school or club volleyball for our children, at least, as players. Kassen and her team competed in their final tournament last weekend, USA Volleyball's Junior Olympic tournament in Dallas. It was good to be together as family and we loved watching the team do their thing. They didn't finish where they thought they could, but that happens. It's volleyball.

Kassen played well. She is now looking forward to moving to the next level...college ball. We hope to see some of her matches each year, but it won't be like it has been! Sad!!

Alec, Emmalee and Hudson were with us to cheer the team on. Everyone fell in love with Hudson. Hard not to. He is just the cutest thing and a wonderfully tempered baby!! I guess I have to say that maybe I am a little bias - but if you met him, I bet you would agree.

Happy Independence Day!!

Summer at Bear Trap Ranch

Once again we find ourselves in ministry at Intervarsity's Bear Trap Ranch for the summer. We have two programs that run back to back. The first is a four week training program for new missionaries call Lifeworkx. We cover four basic self discovery areas along with introducing these passionate people to some of the challenges of life in ministry in another culture. Following that we spend the next 10 days with about 100 of our missionaries on home assignment. This program is run by Deänne and the focus is to allow our people just off of the field to unpack their last term in a safe, caring environment. We love it and so do they. For more info and pictures of what this looks like check out the website www.OC08Internship.blogspot.com

Kassen Waterlogged

As Kassen's last high school activity she went with several members of her Anatomy and Physiology class on a seven day river rafting trip. She had a blast - at least, as much of a blast as possible without showering for all that time! Check out the slide show for more pix of the beautiful Green River's Desolation Canyon (and Kassen, of course).

30 Years Ago...

In all the excitement of Kassen's graduation an important event went unheralded. Deanne and I celebrated 30 years together! Seems impossible that we could be even that old. We plan on at least 30 more, as God might allow. Thank you for living it all with us!

Kassen is a graduate! We had a great ceremony together with about 2500 or more people all celebrating the accomplishments of their children. We were excited to have Kelli home from Baylor and there with us to cheer Kassen on. She has received many great compliments from her teachers and I am sure it is just the beginning. She has committed to go to Hope International University in Fullerton, CA in the fall. They were able to give her a scholarship package of about $19,000 a year which includes volleyball and academics. We are proud of her, as we are of all of our children.