Happy Twenty-Fifteen!

It's a newly birthed year, and the unknown of it spurs my excitement at the possibilities. Onwards to 2015. Hard to believe we're already 1-1/2 weeks past our two week Christmas vacation. Time again refuses to slow its pace.

Ibrahim and I (danae) arrived back at the dorm on Friday, January 2nd. The next morning, we picked up Alek and Aleyna at the airport. They had spent time with family over the holidays, and it was so good to be with them and spend time catching up. Sunday evening was when most everyone else began to trickle in. How special to be reunited with each one of them and hear about their breaks! None of them were super excited to start up school again, but most didn't seem angry at being back in the dorm. ;) Maya and Nevin came in late on Monday after being away for the break. It was great to see them too!

It took awhile for the kids to readjust to waking up early and getting through a school day, but they made it as they jumped right back in! Many helped with AWANA and a Poplar Ministry on Wednesday night. On Thursday, the kids played a Bible trivia game in chapel, the freshman and sophomores (known as the "Froshmores") versus the juniors and seniors (known as "#dubnation"). The kids knew a lot, and it was fun to see some healthy competition. :)

Another positive part of our week was that Aleyna had her {hopefully} last knee appointment at the doctor's! The doctor affirmed that her knee was healing well and gave her special instructions for physical activity as well as sent her away with a brace to use until her leg continues to strengthen. God is so incredible in the way He heals our bodies! He is the realest and kindest Doctor.

Aleyna showing off a sample of what a knee
looks like in her last doctor's appointment.

On Friday night, the real craziness begun: First Basketball Game of 2015. The Lustre Lions played against the Frazer Bearcats. What incredible games! The JV boys team won! Sadly, the girls and boys Varsity lost, but both teams played AMAZINGLY and lost only by a few points. The girls were scoring into the 70 point range! AMAZING!

I'm HORRIBLE at taking basketball pictures, but this was kind of a fun one.
Coach Randy Reddig speaking directly to Jacques at the Frazer game.

On Saturday, we had a home game against Poplar. Sadly, all three teams lost, but again, we had some really good plays, and the scores ended very closely. We have some super talented athletes.

Saturday also happened to be Mawin's birthday! We didn't get to celebrate much with him being involved in the basketball game, but on Sunday, we all went out to eat Chinese food after church, and then Ibrahim and several of the kids went to watch a movie in the Glasgow theatre. Those who didn't go to the theatre went to MacDonalds to get some things done or just take it easy for a while. It was a great afternoon / evening.

The kids weren't great at giving me a posed picture, but this was
their natural picture of eating and waiting for Chinese food. ;)

Happy Birthday, Mawin!

Happy seventeenth birthday, Mawin! I am so glad you are a part of our world here. You make us smile with your quirky charm and sense of humor. You add so much life and energy to the dorm. You have been so brave to come here, to leave family and familiar and brave the Lustre winters and unfamiliar faces, to pick up a basketball and stay the course several years. You're one talented person.

Here are my birthday verses for you, Mawin. 

1 Thessalonians 5:5: "For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don't belong to darkness and night."

Ephesians 5:8-10: ". . . for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 

Mawin, my prayer for you is that you would continue to grow into a man of courage and into Light, that as you seek and grow in Jesus, His light in you will expose the darkness and injustice around you. You are so loved!

This Tuesday, we had another string of basketball games. They were home against Frazer. JV guys won, and the girls Varsity team also came out with a win. Sadly, the guys lost. Hard to see them lose, but they sure played hard. They'll have another chance to snag a win on the upcoming Friday game.

Thank you again for following along with us! We are excited to see all that's ahead in this brand new year. :)