It sure has been awhile! We have been crazy busy as the kids have been getting back in the full swing of school, scouts, band, AWANA, etc. Below are a few snippets of the Ruoss household's recent activities.
Hannah has been enjoying being back in school. She is in the 6th grade so this is her first year in Junior High. She now has six different teachers to schmooze. She is working on straight A's for the quarter. She is particularly enjoying the fact that she gets to travel to the high school for band each morning since our Junior High does not have a band teacher. She really loves all of the challenges they give her and enjoys working on school projects. She did NOT get this from me.
Lily is now in Kindergarten. She is reading a bit and it is getting more and more difficult to spell out secret words in front of her. She is also on a singing kick. She has always liked to sing, but lately she sings everything. She remembers melodies and inflection well, but often forgets the words so she makes them up or uses different sounds that rhyme, etc. All the while she either dances, fakes holding a microphone or plays air guitar. Her recent favorites are Robert Plant and Alison Kraus duets and Hannah Montana syrup songs.
Jacob is once again fretting over school. He is working hard to do well and has done better this year than ever before, but he makes no bones about the fact that he "despises" school. But, he says if he is ever going to get into West Point and become a military officer he has to start doing well in school. He has been busy with scouts and for the next six months is acting as Den Chief to some Webelo Scouts that will be moving up Boy Scouts next February. This last week he made a very big step in growing up....he sold his legos :(
Kermit has been busy running the kids all over creation. He takes the kids to most of their activities as they usually start before I get home from work. He has been a real rock for me lately as I have been having to deal with some other issues that have come up. Thanks, Kermit!
I have been working like crazy to plan a surprise 60th birthday party for my dad. All the while, I have been dealing with my dad. My mom is away on business in North Carolina for five months. She is only able to be home twice a month and that is KILLING my dad. This is not something my mom would normally do, but they both agreed that it was an important opportunity in her job and that she she go. So, between the sadness of her being gone and his continued declining health issues over the last 18 months, it has all kind of caught up with him. He has been depressed in a way that I have never seen before. Between his back pain and his being more emotional than usual, he has taken a two month sabbatical from the church. This is the first time he has taken time off in the 12 years he has been there, but he still felt bad asking for time off. Anyway, we can just say I have had my hands more full than normal. Don't get me wrong, I DON'T mind. I'm thankful God allowed us to be here when he needed us.
If you feel inclined, please pray for the following:
My Dad (John) - after reading above...enough said
Kermit's Mom (Carol) - Her husband needs a new job as they are struggling financially. This is only getting worse with the economy.
My Grandmother (Mary) - She is awfully lonely and has been dealing with declining health.
Our dear friends Tina and Daniel - They are heading back to Irian Jaya to continue with their mission work on 10/14. They had to come home after only a few months in back in the field for Tina to have urgently needed surgery. With the downturn in the economy, their already stretched finances are stretched past their limits. Please pray for their ministry and their finances. As well, please pray that the Lord will bring them encouragement and reinforce in them his will and direction for their lives. If you feel inclined, please consider contributing to them monthly. Even if it is a few dollars, it can make a difference in them reaching a Fayu with the love of Christ.
