Some unexpected whitewater rapids for our family. September News

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Summer Story:  Years ago we had the chance to go whitewater rafting as a family during a visit to the US. Last month we had a different kind of rapids. We flew to the US in July to attend CRM's Worldwide Conference in Mexico with our boys and hundreds of mission colleagues. The day after returning to southern California from the conference, came the turn in the river.  We received a call from Cameron's boarding school in Mississippi, telling us that the board had decided to close the school. It was only 14 days before the start of the semester! Where would Cameron spend his Senior year of High School? There were no good options where we live in Malaysia... Though it was an unexpected turn for us, this wasn't a suprise for God. He had a plan! We just had to find it.  And we did.  Long story short: Cameron has another wonderful story of how God loves him. Ten days after the phone call, these Californian transplants to Asia were sitting in the president's office of a Baptist High School near Knoxville, Tennessee. They had us on a fast track for enrollment. Directed to a nearby pharmacy, Cameron had a walk-in health exam, we shopped for a pile of uniforms, and finished all the enrollment details that one normally takes days to accomplish. At the school's Orientation Assembly two days later, we met many of the other seniors, some of the parents, and quite a few of the international students who live in the dorms. Then we left him at The King's Academy, as happy as we've ever seen him. The best part? We can't decide whether the best part is that he is excited to be speaking Chinese again with International students from China, or that nearly everyone who saw this 5'11" 245 pound big boy, looked at him hopefully and asked, "Will you play football?" His answer was: "Yes I will!"  He started on both Offense & Defense in his game today. Sure wish we could watch him play! Another highlight of summer: During the conference in Mexico with our CRM family of colleagues, Tyler had the opportunity to be baptized by his dad.  Lord, thank you for the full life you've given us to serve Asian pastors, church leaders and artists. We sense very strongly your direction that it's time to close this chapter, and yet we're not sure what your plans are for where to dig in next. Give us wisdom and gentleness as we say our goodbyes this fall, and we wait on you in thankful anticipation of your guidance and provision as we make this big step of faith. AMEN.