Best of Summer

Now that summer is "over," I feel like I should post some pictures I had intended to post over the past months.

Here is Stephen supervising Lee building their sand castle.


Stephen's favorite part of building sand castles was filling the bucket with water, immediately dumping it, and running back for more.


Cute beach pictures




We also made several trips to go swimming in his grandparents' pool in SC. We did have swimming lessons here at WCU, but our camera was out of commission, so no pictures. He was never too keen on putting faces in the water, but other than that he loved it!


Around the time we moved, Lee took Stephen to see Thomas in nearby Dillsboro. They didn't get to ride this year, but there was lots of fun to be had. There was a petting zoo, a table set up with trains, model trains to watch, etc.

Potty Training and a Stephenism

I've seen that I'm not a talented potty-trainer. For example, when Stephen was in a pull-up recently, I noticed it was wet, so I said we should go to the bathroom and change it. He said, "No, I'll just wear it for a few days." Stephen has been in and out of this phase for a while now (we took a break before and after the move), and we have made progress, but not as much as I thought. Our main problem is lack of consistency - he's getting very rebellious and I'm getting very tired.
My goal is to have daytime dryness before the baby's born, so I plan to buckle down and not be afraid of accidents...

Changes!

Quite a lot has changed for me lately. Recently, the dean of our college (and my direct supervisor) announced that he will step down from the deanship at the end of this academic year (June 08). So, we’ll be searching for a new dean, and I’m wondering who my new “boss” will be. I’ve really enjoyed working for Michael – he’s the one who hired me and we get along very well. I hope we can find someone who is as good of a leader.

Also, our pastor at Emmanuel is stepping down to become the first RUF campus minister at Western! Dave and family will be moving to Cullowhee sometime soon and he’s started the “new RUF Guy” process. While I’m sorry he’ll no longer be my pastor, I look forward to having him and his family closer to us and to helping as I may with an RUF here at WCU.

We completed deacon training this evening, so the next step is to be examined by our session and then come before the congregation for a vote. If it is the Lord’s will, I look forward to serving as a deacon at Emmanuel. And deacon or no, I’ll be serving because…

I was also elected to the pulpit committee and made the chairman today. Hoo boy! While I feel inadequate for the task (and admit I would have liked to have my Sunday afternoons back now that deacon training is over) I am honored to be picked. I was on the committee at New Life (now Northside) in Winder, GA, so I know this will be a time consuming task.

We would appreciate your prayers in all these things.