Fall Routine

I have been a slacker in the blogging department. And I can't say that I have been THAT busy. Busy, yes, but not compared to the crazy fall schedules of those around me! Whew - especially when I look at some families who have kids in sports, drama, or music and are running to events in the evenings and weekends, my life seems slow!

However, we are plugging into, and enjoying our, fall routine. This past week:

• We had our first Small Group with 4 other couples from our church. I am really looking forward to spending more time with these great people! Some of them were in the same small group with us four years ago, so we feel blessed that they asked us to join again. 
• We started our respective men's and women's Bible Studies. I am attending the Tuesday Connection at our church and already so thankful for my small group of women alongside me as we dig into God's Word. Jeff is going to Men's Fraternity on Wednesday mornings - it starts at 5:30 am so I am so proud of him for waking up so early! 
• I attended an inservice regarding Substitute Teaching. I am now most of the way through the process (just have to wait for the paperwork to clear) to sub in Rockford Public Schools! I am ready!
• Jeff starting teaching in the College age Sunday School class. They are studying Ephesians and Jeff is enjoying getting to know the students and his small group of guys. 
• The fall colors really started to emerge. Sometimes I just stop and pull over on the road to take it all in. We have missed Autumn and are enjoying every red, orange and yellow leaf we see!

• Jeff took Megan on a "youth hunt!" This past weekend was open for kids to hunt with an adult. Even though they came home empty-handed, they had fun being in the woods and enjoying God's creation.
• We got to attend our first ArtPrize! This is an art competition in Grand Rapids. It started four years ago, just after we left to go back to Kenya. We have heard SO MUCH about it and were excited to see it for ourselves. We did have to fight crowds (it was silly to go the first weekend it opened!) but it was so cool to see the artwork!

• We have been able to connect with some of our RVA kids, who are in college in the West Michigan area. It has been fun to tell transition stories together!

• And last, but not least, we have been enjoying family time!