Back to School...Mostly

"You gotta fight . .
for your right . .
to Parteeeeeee!"
 - Beastie Boys, 1986

I couldn't figure out why that song has been in my head all morning -- back in the day, I didn't listen to Beastie Boys all that much -- so why now??

Because Titus begins grade 7, and those obscene guys entered the music scene back when I was in 7th

grade.

Titus in 7th grade -- weird!  He went from new kid to "big man on campus" by the time his 6th grade year was completed.  He found a niche in drama, which was no surprise to us, and he did well in his new academic environment, with the help of some pretty amazing teachers, one of which he gets again this year due to some creative faculty shuffling due to delayed return of some teachers.  He's looking forward to all the school activities, including the flag football league--and he's drafted his fantasy football team and ready for all things American Football to begin.  We're proud of Titus and we're excited to see how much he continues to grow this year.


Grace begins her Sophomore year of High School (10th) - how is that possible??  Oh yeah, we're old!

Grace has been in nonstop service mode since we returned from Berlin.  She busted her tail every day

al the stylists watched to learn how
to achieve Grace's new,  shorter style
(her hair's also dyed black)

for the local international church's VBS program as a counselor--earning "volunteer-of-the-day" honors on one day.  No body "mothers" a group of kids like Grace--she has her backpack filled with everything from first aid, sunscreen, extra water and snacks, to who knows what -- and then she gets them in line and keeps them there.  Must be some pretty strict parenting she has suffered from :(  After that, and with the delay of school by one week due to renewed protests, she worked to host other teens who were bored with nothing to do and no where to go; and when a couple of friends from her former school found out they had to leave the country suddenly, she organized and hosted a farewell party.  In the midst of this, she has been serving on the "Buddy Squad", a group of students who help new students feel welcome and included by their peers--sending emails, sharing info, giving tours, etc.  In the absence of several of this Squad, she took on an extra shift yesterday to continue to help -- and, of course, she was also involved in helping us host new families, too.  Though she is easily the smallest teen in High School, her awesomeness knows no limit.  We're praying she gets off to a strong academic start so that she can enjoy all the extracurricular activities ;)

4th grade pic here, until
we can get a first day of
5th grade pic

And Zeke - well, he's at home with us today because his application is still in process (making a school change).  We hope his previous teacher recommendation will get processed today, along with school records, and we hope he can get his physical completed.  Then it's a matter of taking assessments to properly gauge his academic levels in reading, Math and Arabic (which he'll take 4 times a week).  He's eager to begin, as are we, but there's still paperwork and process to follow.  If any of our kids can handle this, it's Zeke--he's easily our most resilient and willing to face change and difficulty--Grace and Titus do a good job, but often need a lot more coaching. We'll have to have our parenting in overdrive with the start of the new school year, and making sure that he's adjusting well once he does start.


and then there's my awesome wife - she gets to shoulder a lot of the PTO "welcome wagon" stuff without me* over the next couple of weeks!  She will be helping the kids get into and out of school each day, and she'll be attempting to organize for a New Parent Coffee on one morning, and a New Parent Felluca lunch a week later -- both events are designed to help new families meet and network as a part of their own adjustment to life in Cairo.  We were busy with orientations yesterday and had the opportunity to greet families we hosted the last week, and meet several new families as well.

*I'm leaving soon to go to Lebanon.  While Keli focuses on our kids, I will have new "kids" to focus on as I take Donald, John, Shady, Christine, and Nermeen from Egypt to participate in the annual Ana Terzo young adult camp.  I'm excited to return, and excited to introduce these 5 to their amazing, Lebanese peers.  This will be a huge step in our hopes of building bridges and young leader development in the region, and each country's churches are cooperating to make the planning a success!  I will also stay and participate in the Heart for Lebanon (H4L) annual staff retreat -- this is a great opportunity to encourage some amazing believers in their service.  The Ana Terzo camp will also have a service day with H4L, participating in one of their refugee service projects.


So much of the blog has been political and social in the midst of all the current upheaval and uncertainty in Egypt.  In the midst of all of that, we're trying to raise a family and do ministry -- sometimes, those details get lost in the midst of all the headlines.  As you #PrayforEgypt, please continue to pray for each of our amazing kids and the challenges they face--some routine teen/pre-teen stuff, and others unique to becoming a Third-Culture Kid.  Pray for each of us, and our marriage, our parenting wisdom, and our role as Pastors in the Middle East.

Thank you for your continuing interest, encouragement, prayers, and support!