Nicole is currently in the 8th grade at Edgerton Christian School. She enjoyed playing on the 8th grade volleyball team this fall, and is currently involved on the basketball team. It's been a little painful for her the last couple of weeks, since she has a sore "hamstring" in her leg. Otherwise she's doing well in school, and plays trumpet in the band. She played in a group of trumpeters in church with a few hymns this past Thanksgiving day. Nicole hasn't quite caught up to Joelle in height, but she's definitely narrowing the gap.
Nathan is a junior at Southwest MN Christian High School in Edgerton. It's nice that he has his license now and that he can drive himself to school when necessary. He was involved in a drama group called "Players" this fall, and had roles in a couple of one act plays. He also participates in a singing group of about 20 students called "One Accord", as well as in choir and band (still making music on the saxophone).
Jordan graduated from high school last May and is currently in his freshman year at Dordt College in Sioux Center, IA. He enjoys college, and is finding his niche. Last sememster he was thinking about majoring in Education, with a goal of teaching history. Now he's looking into getting a degree in business. Jordan catches a ride home every few weekends -- when his laundry bag is full. We're glad we live close enough to Sioux Center (about 42 miles) to take in his occasional choir concert, since Jordan is a member of the Dordt College Chorale.
Joelle "graduated" from Dordt with an unsigned diploma last May. It was unsigned because she still had to complete a semester of student teaching -- which she just wrapped up. She and her husband Garry Riezebos live in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Garry works as an accountant for a firm in Omaha. Joelle did her student teaching in a large high school in the southern part of Omaha. Joelle is looking for some substitute teaching experiences in the spring semester, and will look for a regular teaching position next fall.
Dianne's part-time job at the Style Shop (a dress store) in downtown Luverne came to an end when the store closed. She found another part-time job at the Coffey Haus -- which is a coffee shop/restaurant in Luverne. She likes her job, and is also involved with the Coffee Break/Story Hour ministry in our church. She's looking forward to attending a niece's wedding in Lynden, WA, at the end of this month.
Roger is finding plenty of work to do as pastor of the Luverne Christian Reformed Church. He designed a website for the church (which you can check out sometime at www.luvernecrc.com) and is involved with several of the church committees. He and Nathan were able to go with a group from our church on a mission/serve project to Cary, MS, this past June. It was a good experience, which they might pursue again in 2008. Roger also served as a delegate to the CRC Synod in Grand Rapids, MI, in early June. And he had a chance to visit his mom and sister Lorraine (and husband, Roger) in North Carolina last May.
Our family vacation took us to Branson, Missouri, in the heat of summer. We spent the better part of a week with John and Beth Sparks (Roger's brother and sister-in-law) who met us there. We didn't go to any of the shows, but enjoyed doing some sightseeing, some shopping, and playing video games on a 52 inch HD TV at the resort. The swimming pool was nice, too. We played games and made some good memories!
Well, there's a lot more we could write about. Hopefully this is enough to let you know that we're all doing well and enjoying the opportunities God is giving us. We've had several funerals lately in our church and among friends. It's been sad, but makes us all the more thankful for Christmas -- for the gift of everlasting life which God has given us through His Son.
Take care, and may God bless you in the coming year.
Love,
Roger & Dianne
Jordan, Nathan and Nicole
PS. Here are a few pictures from this past year. Click here to see them.