Life keeps me busy, but I have a ton to be thankful for. God helped me survive another semester at LETU. Even though I had my doubts, I ended well in all of my classes and earned my tail wheel endorsement. I also passed my FAA Instrument ground test and will be learning how to fly by using only instruments next semester. I was very glad to fly home and see family and friends, as well as get some rest. Besides catching up with people, I have gotten to travel through some mountain passes and see some of God's beautiful creation. Its great to actually see some snow. I celebrated Christmas with family in Idaho. I had a good time with my precious nephews who are now skating, coloring, talking, singing, running, laughing, hugging.... and now and then - hitting, screaming, fighting, crying, pouting, and going in time out - but I think overall, they enjoy being two. They already have very distinct personalities and have many differences between them. I am also looking forward to having two more nephews or nieces - Two of my sisters are pregnant, and both are due in the summer. (I'm secretly hoping for some precious nieces this time around :o) Besides traveling, sleeping, reading, visiting with family and friends, watching movies, and of course shopping - since it's almost non-existent at college - I had the privilege of having my wisdom teeth removed. (notice no picture is included) No, it really wasn't that bad. After hearing so many terrible stories of people's experiences, I was expecting a lot worse. At least it gave me a good cause to lay on the couch and watch the Monk TV marathon. For new years, I got to spend it at Papa Wight and Martha's home with Mom. I relaxed on the couch with some hot lattes and cookies, while applying a heating pad to my barely puffy cheeks. Mom crotcheted a hilarious hat that she'll sell to the highest bidder. We got to watch the ball fall in NY and TX when the count down began. I also got to spend an evening with my "aunt" molly and "uncle" john - we got to watch the end of the fiesta bowl - it was intense the last 3 minutes - the miracle of Boise state defeating Oklahoma by one point in overtime. (Thanks to my bro-n-law, Ben B., I have been educated on the undefeated record of Boise state and the "underdog" story that they have) And for the past three nights, I have looked over 240 questions for a CLEP test in order to receive credit for an English elective. And thanks be to God, I passed the test this morning!!! many smiles. In two days, I'll be flying back to LETU to start my fourth semester. I'm glad to have had this break and get to see the people I love. I am expecting God to do great things this year, but know it will be a long and difficult journey. Please continue to keep me in your prayers. Enjoy the rest of the pictures :o)
One night, after lots of debating, we decided to take the nephews skating at the local rink. I haven't been to such a place since junior high maybe. I'll admit that I was a bit skeptical, but it turned out to be a fun night. Everybody skated too! Even my pregnant sisters (one had just dealt with some morning sickness too that day) and my
extremely old brothers and my mom - the
grandma - and of course the two-year-old nephews. Jordan progressed from unable to stand to doing it all by himself during the all-boy skate. Owen preferred to just use his heelys (the shoes with a wheel in the bottom of the heel that pops out) - which he is amazingly good at. Katie bought Ben a pair of heelys, so Owen had fun showing hid dadda how to do it. Both of the Bens raced in the "20 and above" group - they got pop as a prize. Good memories. Amy and Ben B. did the limbo too....
Notice the special shirt my mom is modeling: "LeTourneau University MOM." She is quite proud.
So in the fall, I earned my tail wheel endorsement by learning how to fly -mainly land- this citabria. Basically the difference from my previous experience is that the tail has a wheel instead of the nose of the aircraft - making it more difficult to taxi and land. The tail wheel can easily swivel and will have you facing in the opposite direction if you aren't on top of it. I also got to fly up front and my lucky instructor sat behind me. There were only the basic instruments located in the cockpit, unlike the Garmin 1000 in the C172.
For their early birthday presents, with the help of mom, I got Ben and Kimber LETU sweatshirts - so now they can think of me as the comfortably advertise my college up in Alaska. So far, I don't believe anyone in their small town knows what "LETU" stands for.
Sorry for the few posts last year, I hope to improve this year :o) Thanks for the many encouraging talks and hugs - I loved being home.
Life keeps me busy, but I have a ton to be thankful for. God helped me survive another semester at LETU. Even though I had my doubts, I ended well in all of my classes and earned my tail wheel endorsement. I also passed my FAA Instrument ground test and will be learning how to fly by using only instruments next semester. I was very glad to fly home and see family and friends, as well as get some rest. Besides catching up with people, I have gotten to travel through some mountain passes and see some of God's beautiful creation. Its great to actually see some snow. I celebrated Christmas with family in Idaho. I had a good time with my precious nephews who are now skating, coloring, talking, singing, running, laughing, hugging.... and now and then - hitting, screaming, fighting, crying, pouting, and going in time out - but I think overall, they enjoy being two. They already have very distinct personalities and have many differences between them. I am also looking forward to having two more nephews or nieces - Two of my sisters are pregnant, and both are due in the summer. (I'm secretly hoping for some precious nieces this time around :o) Besides traveling, sleeping, reading, visiting with family and friends, watching movies, and of course shopping - since it's almost non-existent at college - I had the privilege of having my wisdom teeth removed. (notice no picture is included) No, it really wasn't that bad. After hearing so many terrible stories of people's experiences, I was expecting a lot worse. At least it gave me a good cause to lay on the couch and watch the Monk TV marathon. For new years, I got to spend it at Papa Wight and Martha's home with Mom. I relaxed on the couch with some hot lattes and cookies, while applying a heating pad to my barely puffy cheeks. Mom crotcheted a hilarious hat that she'll sell to the highest bidder. We got to watch the ball fall in NY and TX when the count down began. I also got to spend an evening with my "aunt" molly and "uncle" john - we got to watch the end of the fiesta bowl - it was intense the last 3 minutes - the miracle of Boise state defeating Oklahoma by one point in overtime. (Thanks to my bro-n-law, Ben B., I have been educated on the undefeated record of Boise state and the "underdog" story that they have) And for the past three nights, I have looked over 240 questions for a CLEP test in order to receive credit for an English elective. And thanks be to God, I passed the test this morning!!! many smiles. In two days, I'll be flying back to LETU to start my fourth semester. I'm glad to have had this break and get to see the people I love. I am expecting God to do great things this year, but know it will be a long and difficult journey. Please continue to keep me in your prayers. Enjoy the rest of the pictures :o)
One night, after lots of debating, we decided to take the nephews skating at the local rink. I haven't been to such a place since junior high maybe. I'll admit that I was a bit skeptical, but it turned out to be a fun night. Everybody skated too! Even my pregnant sisters (one had just dealt with some morning sickness too that day) and my extremely old brothers and my mom - the grandma - and of course the two-year-old nephews. Jordan progressed from unable to stand to doing it all by himself during the all-boy skate. Owen preferred to just use his heelys (the shoes with a wheel in the bottom of the heel that pops out) - which he is amazingly good at. Katie bought Ben a pair of heelys, so Owen had fun showing hid dadda how to do it. Both of the Bens raced in the "20 and above" group - they got pop as a prize. Good memories. Amy and Ben B. did the limbo too....
Notice the special shirt my mom is modeling: "LeTourneau University MOM." She is quite proud.
So in the fall, I earned my tail wheel endorsement by learning how to fly -mainly land- this citabria. Basically the difference from my previous experience is that the tail has a wheel instead of the nose of the aircraft - making it more difficult to taxi and land. The tail wheel can easily swivel and will have you facing in the opposite direction if you aren't on top of it. I also got to fly up front and my lucky instructor sat behind me. There were only the basic instruments located in the cockpit, unlike the Garmin 1000 in the C172.
For their early birthday presents, with the help of mom, I got Ben and Kimber LETU sweatshirts - so now they can think of me as the comfortably advertise my college up in Alaska. So far, I don't believe anyone in their small town knows what "LETU" stands for.
Sorry for the few posts last year, I hope to improve this year :o) Thanks for the many encouraging talks and hugs - I loved being home.
