[picapp align=”left” wrap=”true” link=”term=crowing&iid=5238140″ src=”d/d/8/7/Crowing_Rooster_on_1d62.jpg?adImageId=9292820&imageId=5238140″ width=”234″ height=”354″ /] I want to stop and give thanks to God for his provision and goodness to Michelle and me.  Ryan is currently working with Messer Construction Co. as an engineering intern.  The funds he will earn this year should be sufficient to pay for his remaining undergraduate work. Four year degree, no debt, one year’s master left and doing something he really enjoys.  Outstanding.  A man of honor who loves God first, couldn’t ask for better.

Alyssa is soon to enter university studies.  Although she is convinced it is my fault that she now has a new car wash phobia (see her Facebook page), she is pursuing studies in psychology/social work.  Her particular interest is veteran recovery.  Last week she interviewed for a full ride scholarship at Morehead State University.  Even if she doesn’t receive the honor, I am so proud the committee deemed her worthy of their time.  Alyssa also figured out that I will pay for college if she takes classes before she graduates high school (I won’t afterward), so she will enter her freshman year with a 18 “gen-ed” credit hours paid for and completed.  She will be ready for second semester courses.  Very tricky!  She continues to be one of the most generous people I know. 

Emily continues to advance her musical skills.  In the past month or so she has won a place on the Kentucky All State concert band and on the Northern Kentucky Select Band wind ensemble.  She is first chair clarinet as a sophomore in the Campbell County High School band.  She is just as sweet as always and confidently humble.  I am looking forward to seeing what God does through her in the next few years as she enters her own womanhood.

Isaac continues to impress.  He is nearing the end of his University studies in Uganda.  Although beset by many troubles, he continues to take care of his sister and brother.  He does his best to help support himself and dreams of the day he can make a difference where he lives.  His maturity and love for Jesus help drive me forward through difficult days here at home.

Penny will soon graduate from beauty school (although she is already beautiful).  She will then have to find a space to practice her trade which is so very hard in Uganda.  She has done so well not to succumb to outside pressures, choosing instead to be a daughter of the Most High King and a open professor of Jesus as her Lord.

Lionel completed entrance exams for his final year of secondary (high) school.  In a land where the Senior year in high school is a privilege, not an entitlement, it is good to see a young man work hard to attain it without support of parents (inside the country) and with very little resources at hand.  He hopes to follow his brother in studying at the University and to make his way in the world as a businessman.

Praise God for his grace to us!