I waited until we were at the park to tell the kids that we had to schedule their trip to SeaWorld on the same day as the annual preschool day. Acually, it worked out pretty well. We didn't have to wait in line as long for the rides and the kids weren't tempted to pick up a "friend" for the day. Some blessings just come along as a surprise. The kids were good sports and there were so many other visitors that we hardly noticed the numbers of little ones.
One thing I have especially enjoyed about this trip is the close proximity all the attractions are to our beach house. It is so nice to not have to fight traffic or spend oddles of money on gas. We are five miles or less to everything we are doing except for our day at Universal on Wednesday.
Tomorrow is our first beach day. We will be hanging out on Coronado Island. The kids are looking up information on renting surfboards and wetsuits. There is quite a bit of surfing along this strretch of the ocean. We'll let you know how it goes. We're looking forward to a relaxing day just hanging out, playing in the sand, braving the water for the fearless and cruising the little shops along the beach. On days like this we give each student $10 dollars per meal and let them decide where they want to eat. They really like this arrangement. They get to keep any leftover money they don't spend.
It's pretty late so I'll just add that Craig and Hannah served us cream cheese and bagels, cereal, fruit and OJ. It was a great success. This evening Dusitn and Nayome had our evening worship. They showed an animated music video that was well done, then Nayome followed up with a short talk to tie things together and shared a text from Matthew 5. Dustin finished up with prayer. Everyone settled down pretty quick this eve. I think a day in the sun wore them out a bit.
Take care everyone and keep prayin'.
P.S. Abbey, Nick and I ran 3.6 miles along the ocean tonight. Something about running in a setting like that that gets you to go a lot farther than you plan. We just wanted to beat the 1.7 miles Jacob, Kirbi and Braden ran over the weekend.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Museums Unlimited
It's been a couple of late getting-to-bed kind of nights so I haven't posted like I had planned. But will try to do a little catch-up....
It's quite in the house because most of the gang is outside in the hot tub while the rest of the gang is sneaking toward the tub armed with empty easter eggs planning a sneak attack. All of this is to take place "quietly" because (we were informed) the neighbors will call the managers if we get too noisy. Even one of the seniors mentioned that they were surprised at how loud and rowdy his classmates (and himself) were. But it's a healthy rowdy. All having fun playing hard. (Thanks Sam for toughening Abbey up. She can really hold her own in an egg fight).
I have to be honest and say I was really nervous about how the rental house on the ocean would turn out. As we approached within blocks of our address many of the houses were tiny little bungalows with 30 foot wide yards. I was imagining the allusions you can do with internet photography as I recollected the pictures of our prospective house.. I must say though that this place has far exceeded out expectations. The lots are still narrow, about 60 feet wide, but the house is so spacious with three cushy leather sofas in the living room. We have a full view of the ocean directly across the street. A fire is going in the fireplace as the nights get a little chilly. We have a large table next to the kitchen area which seats all fourteen of us. For example, our supper of veggie lasangna, mac and cheese, salad, Texas toast and strawberry shortcake was planned, purchased and prepared by Jacob and Kirbi. They also set the table, had the blessing and did clean-up. We even all held hands around the table as grace is offered. All the groups are doing a great job of of planning and staying within budget.
But I got sidetracked from telling more about our amazing home for the week. The back of the house is divided into two halves. The boys have the half with more beds because, well, just because they are guys and need more beds. The girls have the side with two king beds and a queen. Also the guys are pulling off the mattresses from the sofas in the living room. You can see that we are set up very nicely.
We had our museum day today and I must say that the only time I have been able to get the class to go running is when I put them inside a museum. They seem to get through these amazing museums in about forty-five minutes. Then the lagrer part of the group gets to wait for the couple that really want to check out the whole place. All with a good spirit and reminder that "that's what we came here for and what we voted to do" followed by "yes, Mrs. Murrill". The Uss Midway Battleship was pretty awesome. You have seen Craig's pictures of some of what we did today.
I will finish up with a little word about our worships. Dustin divided his classmates into teams of two and assigned each pair with one evening worship slot. Friday evening the team showed us the movie "To Save A Life". It is a really powerful story that spoke to the kids and challenged them to think about their choices.
One more thing, I have to confess that at times I have wondered if we should all be going to one of the local churches and worshiping with them on Sabbath rather than the home church and nature outing we planned. But after Mr. Sission's talk to the seniors this past Sabbath morning I felt sure we made the right decision. He spoke specifically to them about life after high school, the personal responsibility for academics, life choices and spiritual commitments each of them will have to make. He shared bits from his own journey of some of the failures and then successes he experienced as he figured things out and took a hard look at what he would become if he didn't redirect his life. The kids were listening very intently and it seemed his issues were ones that each student will have to face as they adjust to life without direct parental influences and control. I was genuinely thankful that we had the opportunity to talk just to our kids and feel the Lord had his hand in it.
We ask for your prayers as we continue our week and as each senior continues to make plans for next year.
Getting ready for worship, which is being presented by Bryan and Abbey...so will share more later...
It's quite in the house because most of the gang is outside in the hot tub while the rest of the gang is sneaking toward the tub armed with empty easter eggs planning a sneak attack. All of this is to take place "quietly" because (we were informed) the neighbors will call the managers if we get too noisy. Even one of the seniors mentioned that they were surprised at how loud and rowdy his classmates (and himself) were. But it's a healthy rowdy. All having fun playing hard. (Thanks Sam for toughening Abbey up. She can really hold her own in an egg fight).
I have to be honest and say I was really nervous about how the rental house on the ocean would turn out. As we approached within blocks of our address many of the houses were tiny little bungalows with 30 foot wide yards. I was imagining the allusions you can do with internet photography as I recollected the pictures of our prospective house.. I must say though that this place has far exceeded out expectations. The lots are still narrow, about 60 feet wide, but the house is so spacious with three cushy leather sofas in the living room. We have a full view of the ocean directly across the street. A fire is going in the fireplace as the nights get a little chilly. We have a large table next to the kitchen area which seats all fourteen of us. For example, our supper of veggie lasangna, mac and cheese, salad, Texas toast and strawberry shortcake was planned, purchased and prepared by Jacob and Kirbi. They also set the table, had the blessing and did clean-up. We even all held hands around the table as grace is offered. All the groups are doing a great job of of planning and staying within budget.
But I got sidetracked from telling more about our amazing home for the week. The back of the house is divided into two halves. The boys have the half with more beds because, well, just because they are guys and need more beds. The girls have the side with two king beds and a queen. Also the guys are pulling off the mattresses from the sofas in the living room. You can see that we are set up very nicely.
We had our museum day today and I must say that the only time I have been able to get the class to go running is when I put them inside a museum. They seem to get through these amazing museums in about forty-five minutes. Then the lagrer part of the group gets to wait for the couple that really want to check out the whole place. All with a good spirit and reminder that "that's what we came here for and what we voted to do" followed by "yes, Mrs. Murrill". The Uss Midway Battleship was pretty awesome. You have seen Craig's pictures of some of what we did today.
I will finish up with a little word about our worships. Dustin divided his classmates into teams of two and assigned each pair with one evening worship slot. Friday evening the team showed us the movie "To Save A Life". It is a really powerful story that spoke to the kids and challenged them to think about their choices.
One more thing, I have to confess that at times I have wondered if we should all be going to one of the local churches and worshiping with them on Sabbath rather than the home church and nature outing we planned. But after Mr. Sission's talk to the seniors this past Sabbath morning I felt sure we made the right decision. He spoke specifically to them about life after high school, the personal responsibility for academics, life choices and spiritual commitments each of them will have to make. He shared bits from his own journey of some of the failures and then successes he experienced as he figured things out and took a hard look at what he would become if he didn't redirect his life. The kids were listening very intently and it seemed his issues were ones that each student will have to face as they adjust to life without direct parental influences and control. I was genuinely thankful that we had the opportunity to talk just to our kids and feel the Lord had his hand in it.
We ask for your prayers as we continue our week and as each senior continues to make plans for next year.
Getting ready for worship, which is being presented by Bryan and Abbey...so will share more later...
USS Midway
Saturday, April 23, 2011
The Trip part Uno
4/23/11
The trip is starting out fantastically, the plane ride was perfect and we got into our rooms with lightening speed. Today we moved into the beach house and the edge of the ocean! What a sight! It was absolutely fantastic! From the ocean and the cool and fresh ocean breeze this I already can tell is going to be one of the best trips I have ever been on! Well till next time! Stay Classy Kansas City!
-Dustin0
The trip is starting out fantastically, the plane ride was perfect and we got into our rooms with lightening speed. Today we moved into the beach house and the edge of the ocean! What a sight! It was absolutely fantastic! From the ocean and the cool and fresh ocean breeze this I already can tell is going to be one of the best trips I have ever been on! Well till next time! Stay Classy Kansas City!
-Dustin0
Friday, April 22, 2011
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