"I Love God!"

Curtis graduated from Hudson Valley Comm. College with an Associates degree in Construction Management. He's decided to pursue his Bachelor's degree maybe at Alfred State or SUNY Utica. In the meantime he's working full time in the family construction business and part time in the family sand pile! I am just so blessed when he hops out of his work truck and into the sand box with the kids.

Curtis & Jordan

Sierra, Andrii, Wayne, and I enjoyed our time at the home school convention in Rochester. Wayne Jr. & Kerri were none the worse for wear after holding down the fort while we were gone. They moved in Thursday night and stayed with Anna, Jordan, and Slava while we were gone. It was a huge blessing to me to be able to go. We're entering our 11th year of home educating our kids and haven't missed a convention yet.

Sunday afternoon our home was the site of our church youth group's end of year picnic. The youth leaders were in charge, so all we had to do was fellowship with the youth. We have a great bunch of youth and it was a blessing to spend time with them. They kept busy playing volley ball, swimming, jumping on the trampoline, warming up by the fire, toasting marshmallows, and hiding from the mosquitoes!
Here Wayne Jr. leads the group in a few worship songs while Anna (not old enough for youth group) gets a front row seat to the festivities.

Slava. There is always so much to say about this boy. The other night I was reading his Bible to him at bedtime when I had to run out to the kitchen to take something out of the oven. When I returned to his room I found him still looking at his Bible and proclaiming out loud, "I love God. I love God." I was so blessed to witness it and can only imagine how blessed God was to witness it also. Sunday in church I brought him to the altar for prayer since he is having eye muscle surgery on both eyes on Thursday 6/9 at 10:30am. When I asked him if he wanted to go up for prayer he ran to the altar! He didn't want me to hold him. He wanted to stand on the altar, and he proclaimed, "I love God," again. Pastor Stan came over and explained to Slava that he was going to anoint him with oil on his head and pray for him. Slava smiled, nodded, and said, "Yeah, I know." Then he closed his eyes and folded his hands and prayed.
And he has discovered the swimming pool! As busy as he is, Slava has been pretty cautious by the water. We keep a life jacket on him, but he'd only been brave enough to put his feet in. Today though with it being in the 90s I actually ventured out to the pool and into the water. By the end of the day he was jumping off the side and into my arms. He did this about 100x, but he'd only jump to me. When I finally got out he was willing to jump to Andrii. I'm sure he'll be swimming like a fish very soon.

Please keep Slava in your prayers as he goes to surgery. Pray that all goes smoothly. Jordan had this same surgery 3 years ago, so we know what to expect. It is a 2 1/2 hour surgery, but we'll be home the same day.

I love God too!