Hooray!

Our graduation week began at Fort Wayne First Assembly with a wonderful celebration and recognition of all who graduated this season.

This is it! 

Grandma Brown and Uncle Mike join us at the Memorial Coliseum for Leo High School's ceremony.

Sophia with the the Senior Vocal Ensemble sing the National Anthem and "Seasons of Love."

Bravo to John Neidich, the evening's Master of Ceremony, and to the senior speakers, Salutatorian Rebekah Miller and Valedictorian Bryce Beer, who challenged and encouraged their classmates with some great words of wisdom. If these young people are any indication of the talent and creativity of the class of 2014 then our future is in good hands!

Kýrie at the 9/11 Memorial

Sophia and I spent 3 jam-packed, fun-filled days in NYC with the Leo HS choir. One very special day included a visit to the 9/11 Memorial where the choir sang Kýrie by René Clausen. 

The One World Trade Center, or the Freedom Tower as it is colloquially known, stands tall above the Memorial.

Sophia and the Leo HS choir prepare to sing.

The choir's emotional rendition gathered a crowd who in turn showed their heartfelt appreciation with well-deserved praise and applause.

René Clausen wrote Kýrie in response to the events of 9/11. Actually, a part of a larger body of work, "Memorial," Kýrie is essentially a plea for peace and mercy.

As we head into Semana Santa or Holy Week as we call it here, may this be our prayer as well.

Some pesos and a promise

Yesterday, Stuart and I shared our heart for Mexico City with Pastor Kevin Holt and the good people at Glad Tidings in Muncie IN.

We also had the opportunity to share our version of The Parable of The Lost Peso with Pastor Dan Vanderbilt and the great kids in GTKM. Thankfully, they helped us find our lost peso and promised to pray for us and the beautiful people of Mexico.

Our time with Glad Tidings concluded with an unforgettable lunch with the equally unforgettable Senior Adult Pastor, Coleman Barlow :)

Come to find out, Pastor Barlow ministered in Waterbury, CT many years ago (Wendy's from Hamden, CT Only about 20 minutes away.). So he and Wendy shared a lot of stories from New England - mostly about the great food out there!

Thanks Pastor Kevin and Glad Tidings! We enjoyed our time with you.

Last week, Sophia sang a soulful solo at Leo High School's recent "Rock 'N Roll All Nite" choir event.
She's the second soloist (red sweater) and starts singing about 9 seconds into the video.

And in honor of the great missionary Saint Patrick, I leave you with this prayer:

I bind unto myself today
the power of God to hold and lead,
his eye to watch, his might to stay,
his ear to hearken to my need;
the wisdom of my God to teach,
his hand to guide, his shield to ward;
the word of God to give me speech,
his heavenly host to be my guard. 
(An excerpt from The Lorica of Saint Patrick)

A musical version

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Missionary Monday . . . snowed in

Currently, it is -12 F here in Fort Wayne with over a foot of snow on the ground.

So what to do when you are snowed in . . . 

Well, for one, you play a lot of dominoes :)

I baked a "hootenanny" pancake for Christmas morn. 

I have to admit, this Connecticut girl is a little embarrassed to write "hootenanny," but it was delicious regardless of its name!

Jack the abominable snow dog loves the cold and snow.

Stuart ended up putting him in the bath to melt the snowballs off.

Chocolate and tea for Christmas.

"Keep Calm" "Don't Panic" - are my kids trying to tell me something?

Chocolate fondue, sparkling cider, and poppers to ring in the New Year.

Our backyard this morning.

After which I spent 2 1/2 hours on hold with American Airlines to reschedule Olivia's cancelled flight.

So what to do when you are all snowed in?

Atticus has the right idea:

 "Keep calm and take a nap."

Feliz Día de los Tres Reyes!

Missionary Monday . . . Christmas break

It's the most wonderful time of the year . . . 

when you get to pick up your university student at the airport :)

Olivia wasn't camera ready, so we use a photo from last year.

Not that you would know better.

She looks the same today.

Just a little travel weary.

Last week, IPFW Chi Alpha pastor, Laurie Atz (below), honored me with an invitation to be a part of a panel discussion on relationships with her students.

Check out their Facebook group for more details of this great ministry.

Sophia sang a solo at Leo High School's Yuletide concert.

Bright lights make for washed-out look, but her voice is still beautiful.

Our Schnauzer, Captain Jack and newcomer, Atticus, show you what friendship is all about.

Missionary Monday or better late than never

Happy Missionary Monday Evening.

Too busy writing papers all day to post earlier.

#Priorities

Not that you aren't important, but you don't give me a grade.

Well, maybe you do, but that doesn't really count.

Although the weather outside was frightful . . . 

we enjoyed Leo High School's Yuletide Festival on Saturday. 

Sophia sang beautifully like always.

Stuart's mom, Romona, joined us for the dinner and concert.

Singing the Hallelujah chorus!

Sophia is the cutie in the third row up with the green headband.

And since we've no place to go  . . . 

we worshipped at our home church, Fort Wayne First Assembly on Sunday.