Well it has been almost a year since Kara and I last blogged.....not that it was for lack of anything happening here! Since my last post, yes, almost a year ago....our family has grown! For those of you that know us, this is likely no surprise. 3 yr old Aidan, has come to live with us for 4 or 5 or 18 years. Just kidding about the 18 years....he will be with us while his mommy is serving in the US Army! Tara is a wonderful single mom, that we consider one of ours also. She decided to make hers and Aidan's life better in the long run, by
serving her country, getting an education and building some long term security for she and Aidan. She has finished her first 2 phases of training and is at present, just relocated to Ft Benning, for Airborne training! Yes, she will be jumping out of airplanes and helicopters! When she does things, she does them in a big way. She is incredibly disciplined, fit, buff, healthy, dedicated and fit, healthy and buff! We are so proud of her. I think an Army career is in the making.
Jim and I took Shelby to Denver to her first year out of college, last weekend! Yes....Denver....long way from home, out there with no car, and living and working with those living on the margins of society. All of this Kivu Gap Year stuff ( that's what the program is called) started last year after she returned from one of her favorite places in the world, Camp Kivu, in Durango, CO. We could not be happier for her decision to have this opportunity to see what others, all over the world, live like. Briefly, she will be living in Denver the first semester, working in an inner-city ministry, during her internship, and taking classes in urban studies. She will put into practice some of what she learns, in Haiti before Christmas, then head to Rwanda, Turkey, Mt Kilimanjaro and the Phillipines next semester. I'll let her update you, if you'd like, by following her blog at www.shelbycrenshaw.tumblr.com. All I can say, is I am JEALOUS! But in a good way...I am so excited to see how God chooses to grow and stretch her, to be more like Jesus! And, then, hold on for next year...Kara will also be doing Gap Year.....yep, her big sister admitted that she would be a little envious, if she didn't do Gap Year and then read about Kara's year there!
Our year has also been full of lots of trips to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital- otherwise known as Vandy Children's spa, because, Jim thinks I come up here for some rest and relaxation!! Mae, Coop and Mac have all had surgeries for their previous cleft issues. Everyone is doing well and God has been good in the healing process!
A big hallelujah! Nat is off our payroll! Well, more or less....he has completed the pre-licensing portion of his aircraft mechanics studies and he has taken a job in Marietta, GA at Lockheed Martin. He is still taking classes, online, to complete his AS or AD and then will vi sig with his bacelor's studies! We're quite proud of him and hope to see him in Knoxville quite a bit this fall at some UT games!
Everyone is doing well....and we remain , busy, busy, busy.....but we are looking forward to a wonderful God-filled autumn with some cooler weather and some fun family time. Kind of a boring post...but it catches us up, a bit! Love to all.......
