Congrats Kat!!

She did it! Well....WE did it. As of Friday, May 25th, 2007, our first born, Kathryn, is officially graduated from high school! We are so proud of her. When you have a chance, please enjoy the 17 minute video that Austin and his friend Jay produced to show at her party on Friday night and also to share with family and friends on the mainland who didn't get to come. Let me know if you can't view it on your computer and would like me to send you a hard copy in the mail.

Wow! We have been incredibly busy these last few months. Part of what has kept me from blogging is knowing how much I would need to write to just catch up on what we have done! The events that stand out are Callie's Baptism in April (in the waters just off the North Shore of Oahu) and a tea party we hosted at our home with Nan Taylor for Callie's Keepers club (kind of like a Girl Scouts club.) We participated in a Science Fair and also Presentation Night, events sponsored by our home school support group, Kamahale. Of course, we were also busy wrapping up our school year. Harry was dissappointed to find out he did not make the list for Master Chief this year; however we are content continually place his career in God's hands.



Then there was Kathryn's party. When we first started planning the party, we thought it would be a small get together. After all, we haven't lived here long enough to get to know THAT many people! Little did we know how much of a response we would have, not only from people willing to come and celebrate with Kathryn, but also from people who were willing and eager to help plan and prepare for the special night. I wasn't able to count the number of people here on Friday night, but I think it was probably between 100-150. Our church let us use a huge 20 x 30 tarp for our back yard as well as lots of tables and chairs and a projection machine. Harry strung up tons of Christmas lights so we would have enough light as well as a dozen or so tiki torches. Our friends Pati and Bob (check out their website for their really cool local business) served us relentlessly! They really know how to throw a party....and on a budget too! Harry smoked meat all week, and the guests at the party raved over his bbq skills. We even had a game going in the pool area involving about 100 rubber duckies. It was called "Catch a Duck" where players caught a duck out of the pool with a net and then won a prize. It was such a wonderful night. Most importantly, Kathryn enjoyed the evening. She had so much fun greeting people, receiving leis, hanging out with her friends, smiling, eating and then swimming in the pool as the night went on. Actually, it seems everyone-young and old-enjoyed themselves. On Saturday, I was talking with Stacey and she told me that she had been praying for Kathryn and the party all day on Friday. I truly believe that God blessed our efforts to provide a great celebration for Kathryn because of her prayers and the prayers of others on the mainland who couldn't come but could pray instead. So, thank you all!

What's to come for the summer? Well, I can tell you what we are planning, God willing. Kathryn and Austin are planning to go on a mission trip to Mexico. I think Kathryn has emailed all the info for this trip to many of you. If not, you can email her at ckatdesign@gmail.com to find out how you can support and pray for the two of them and this awesome opportunity God is preparing them for. While they are gone (July 9-26), the rest of the family will be moving. Don't get your hopes up-we're staying on island. Our landlords were approved for retirement earlier than they expected and are moving back to Oahu. Of course, they are wanting to live in their home, so we are praying for God to provide us another home. We have loved living here and are soaking up as much of the great yard and cool pool before we move in July! If the Lord lays it on your heart, please pray for another home for us. We are all in faith that He will provide. We do have a few options already on the table, but are praying for direction.

Finally, I want to thank you all for your prayers, cards and gifts for Kathryn. It means so much to all of us when she hears from friends and family "back home". Even though she is well loved and supported here, I know she longs to be with the ones she loves in Texas, West Virginia and Georgia. When she hears from you all, she knows that you are just as proud and excited about what God is doing in her life as we are. So, THANK YOU!!!


Thanks for taking a few moments to catch up on our lives. Again, if you have another 17 minutes, go check out the video of Kat's Life!! We love and miss you all!!