Fall Semester Begins

We have settled into our new rhythms here in Burnsville since the last time we shared. It is a bit quicker to update the photo album, so make sure to take a look at that for brief updates on our adventures!

In July, Nathan dove into his Beginning Greek intensive class, about 8 hours of class per week with 8 hours of work between each class. Though he was fully immersed in Greek, he also spent time doing residential appraisal work, a part-time role the Lord was gracious to allow him to continue as we moved. Nathan has been greatly encouraged by how well the class went.

Nathan then moved straight into a week of new student orientation at the Seminary which included a few cookouts, a retreat sharing life stories with his cohort and faculty members, a gathering encouraging seminary couples to prioritize their marriages in this busy season, and a "City Vision" tour of Minneapolis, led by a missiologist. He started full-time classes last week: Greek, Foundations of Christian Hedonism, Old Testament, and Church History. He is still adjusting to the new rhythms and expectations, trying to make the most of all his time. He also began meeting with the church leadership and other apprentices regarding his apprenticeship at the church. He will focus on building relationships in the church so that they know him when he takes on some responsibility in the ministry in later semesters.

Janelle, Shiloh and Ezra have been spending much of their time exploring all that the area has to offer; parks, playgrounds, splash pads, mall parks, libraries. The twins have become masters on their balance bikes, and they like to ride to a nearby park to play, and to church on Sundays. At home, the twins love to read, build with magnetiles, play with playdough, and eat meals on the porch. They like to pretend they are puppies, or buzz and woody, or David and Goliath, or the Berenstein Bears, or people they have met at church. During July, the twins enjoyed visiting a local elementary school multiple times a week for free lunch. They also participated in VBS (Vacation Bible School) at Eden Baptist and really enjoyed it.

Janelle has been able to connect with other women in the church through weekly park meetups, a baby shower, a prayer night, and VBS. She is begun to wade into thinking through what homeschooling could look like.

As a family, we have enjoyed reading the Bible and singing hymns together, exploring different lakes, going to Chic-Fil-A for breakfast, having Nathan's family visit, and recently biking with the new bikes and trailer Nathan's aunt and uncle gave us!