Smores on the patio, singing folks songs, good discussion and and people asking about Jesus. Those are some of the images on our last Friday night for the school year for the Starbucks group. We were thankful that it was at our home too. It was sad to see so many friends leave. Some will be gone for a week. Others will be gone for the summer. Others are going home. We have learned over the years to love these students and still say goodbye. Still it is hard.

We look forward to the summer though. Typically this is the funnest part of the school year with students who say (many of them) as they have more time and have more of a relaxed attitude that makes it possible to meet more often and really get close.

Praise:

• UTA Team member Robyn and I were able to connect via webex (something like skype) with Wanda from Taiwan. It was a dry run on a regular gathering online. It was nice re-connecting using this new tool. You all have been praying for this. Our first regular group is going to be next weekend.
• Many blessings on the kids front. (see May pictures) Mothers day was wonderful as the kids really blessed their mom on so many levels. (see blog later for more info.
  • Jonathan is driving hard on the Academic decathlon summer training. His goal is to figure out how to make up the 1000 points they were short of winning the state tournament and he is re-inventing himeself: taking piano lessons, talking incessantly about World War I (the history topic) etc. He is also spending more time with students and really interacting. That has been fun to watch. He is also try to learn how to drive a car… (Prayer request)
  • Timothy was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society. He is also driving hard to get better at Cello to get into the more difficult Symphonic Orchestra. Tim’s 13th Birthday is this next week! Two teenagers in our family… who would have guessed.
  • Charis recently sang at the Levitt Pavillion, a “Hollywood Bowl” type performance stage in Arlington with her elementary school choir. It was wonderful and God used it to connect us with our friendshp partner students from East Asia, Steven and Dave.