The grad’s in uniform.
Archive for the ‘Family’ Category
Grad pic
Tuesday, November 17th, 2009Son 1’s big day
Monday, November 16th, 2009It has been a busy fall for Son 1. He is doing his mandatory military service, the "boot camp" part, and that will last till next March. That’s what he gets for having two nationalities. He is making the best of it.
He spent a month working for a Christian from the Geneva church who has a painting business. Every morning, Son 1 was up before 6 AM to make a little extra money, probably for a trip somewhere.
Last Friday was his graduation ceremony where he received his BS in Forensic Science. It was a reunion time for him and the other 25 students who survived the three year program (220 started…)
We are proud of him. He did great. And he’s looking forward to the start of his Masters program in 2010.
It’s a new year with the one I love…
Friday, May 1st, 2009
We are celebrating wife’s birthday today. Born on the first of May, she deserves a day off!
Love you, Wife. Have a great day.
Not yet, but maybe later
Monday, March 30th, 2009
Well, turns out you CAN’T write in comments for now, but I will inform you when it can be changed. (Or, try again…)
Since it is impossible to comment, I thought I might write something really absurd or maybe just insulting, but absurd and insulting go against my nature, unless I’m watching Monty Python.
I came home after a busy day on Saturday ready to barbeque for a family from Geneva. The mom had just turned 40 and she and Wife are good buds. But when the hour struck, another couple walked in, then a few more families, and we ended up being about 20 folks who had all come for my birthday (which is tomorrow). Not only did we have fun celebrating, but I also got to cook for my own party which was just fine for me. There actually were two cakes, one for age 40, and one for age 50.
Several very aged women from the neighborhood are coming over tomorrow morning for tea and cake. They are a hoot, and they love Wife’s desserts. They will make me feel younger.
I do remember a friend who said when he turned 65, he decided to celebrate all year long. Now, that’s a plan.
Exchange student
Monday, February 16th, 2009We’ve got a second exchange student, but only for 2 weeks. Alex is here from Zurich and he’s working with a Christian book editor just to see what it’s like. It is a mini-apprenticeship where he’ll get a taste of life on the other side of studies. Joel, our Basel exchange student, has been bouncing off the walls, so excited, for now he has a chance to use his German, and not just French and English.
All that to say: Come on over and practice your English with us. A couple week stay will do you good. And us to.
Exchange student
Friday, January 16th, 2009
About a year and a half ago, Nikki, a student at the Lausanne Hotel School (“the Leading Hotel School of the Worldâ€, she says), told us about Joel, a 15 year old from her church in German speaking Basel who was interested in studying French and English in either Lausanne or Geneva. We asked around if any families wanted to welcome him into their homes, but got no responses. So Wife and I, with Son 1’s agreement, decided to take Joel in.
He wants to be a carpenter, which implies a trade school, so his mandatory studies are already over. This “tenth†year is a time for learning languages and reinforcing math and writing skills, after which he’ll start his 3 year-long apprenticeship consisting of 4 days a week in the shop and one day in class.
It’s fun having a 16 year old in the house again. He is passionate about FCB (Basel’s football – soccer – club). He can stay on a computer for hours. He needs tremendous sleep time. He loves his iPod. And when there’s something on the table he really likes, he’s a ravenous eater. He’s a good kid, and I think he enjoys being with us. But I’m sure there are times he’s got to be thinking: What in the world is going on here?
Ever had an exchange student? Any pointers you could give?
He wants to be a carpenter, which implies a trade school, so his mandatory studies are already over. This “tenth†year is a time for learning languages and reinforcing math and writing skills, after which he’ll start his 3 year-long apprenticeship consisting of 4 days a week in the shop and one day in class.
It’s fun having a 16 year old in the house again. He is passionate about FCB (Basel’s football – soccer – club). He can stay on a computer for hours. He needs tremendous sleep time. He loves his iPod. And when there’s something on the table he really likes, he’s a ravenous eater. He’s a good kid, and I think he enjoys being with us. But I’m sure there are times he’s got to be thinking: What in the world is going on here?
Ever had an exchange student? Any pointers you could give?
22
Monday, September 29th, 2008Son 1 turned 22 today. Taller than me. Stronger than me. More handsome than me. More brain cells than me. A better heart than me.
Just the way it should be.
Happy Birthday, son. The day you arrived was one of the happiest in life. No doubts.
Adjusting
Monday, September 15th, 2008The time in the USA was refreshing. It was very difficult to say
goodbye to son, Dad and Mom, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews,
aunties and uncles in addition to our family in Christ. I feel that we
are privileged to see "snapshots" of your lives every two years.
Children who were not even born last time we visited now chat away in
some incomprehensible baby language, where the only truly recognisable word is the frequent MINE.
Between "pictures" some people lose a step. Some gain a pound or two.
Some of us lose a bit on top. Others inherit a crease or two. Some grow to greater depths of love…
I am not much of a change agent. If someone asked me to "come in and change things", I would probably say: Why? I tend to gravitate to the familiar (though I’ve dared to do many new things). I often think I was born about 25 years too late. Yet perhaps being born too late is what will save me from myself. I might have (I’m not safe yet, I know) grown up into someone extremely narrow.
Yet despite my love of stability, life has sure changed. Son 1 is a senior, finishing in Lausanne his BS in forensic science. Son 2 is over 5,000 miles away in only his fourth week of studies at Harding. Daughter leaves tomorrow for a year-long spiritual internship in Marseilles, France. Last Saturday, we welcomed Joel (16) to our home. He’s from German-speaking Basel and will live with us for two semesters as he learns both French and English. Yep, things are changing.
I guess the key for me is simply to adjust, to always appreciate those around me, always looking for God at work today.
I know He’s there. I know he’s working. I just want to see it more clearly.
Patience
Friday, August 22nd, 2008Thanks for your patience. I have no idea if folks are coming to the blog from time to time, but if you have, sorry about the lack of information. I am not on a regular schedule, and that keeps me from putting up the posts as I’d like.
Son 2 made it to Searcy, Arkansas. His 1st cousin once removed picked him up in Little Rock, without baggage, which seems to be our modus operandum these days. I am just happy that we didn’t have to pay for the baggage since the tickets were bought months and months ago.
I picture him moving into his dorm today. He throws his backpack on the floor, the one he carried on the plane and, VOILA, he’s moved in. If all of life were as easy. Of course, he has no deodorant, towels, change of clothes… Should be a fun few days.
The rest of us miss him already. He’s a good son, a fun brother, and a pleasure to be around.
Yes, I miss him already. But couldn’t be prouder…
Graduation girl
Monday, July 7th, 2008
Yes, here she is, the beautiful blonde in the middle, in a dress (YES, in a DRESS!) thrilled after having her High School diploma.
She’s a gem and we’re proud of her, for more reasons than I can tell you in just 200 words.