For the past two weeks we've been waiting for a certain letter to arrive in the mail. We've never checked the mailbox so diligently!
Tyler had made early application to Moody Bible Institute back in November after much thought and prayer regarding his future. When he went to visit colleges with Dave in the fall, he decided that Moody was his number one choice, and thus only applied there.
So we've been waiting anxiously to see if the Lord would confirm that choice.
Two nights ago around midnight, Tyler called me up to his room (yes, we were both up late...we "suffer" from the same night owl disease!). Surprisingly, the letter didn't come in the mailbox, but to his inbox at that late hour! And it was good news - he's officially accepted!
We're delighted! Through the years we've had wonderful connections with both students and faculty at Moody, as well as having been there for their mission's week one year when Dave was the speaker. We were so impressed by the atmosphere among both students and faculty, who share a common heart and desire to follow and serve God with their lives. We can't think of a better place for Tyler to be than among those kind of people!
So, come August of this year, Tyler will head downtown Chicago and start a new chapter in his life!
Dave left yesterday evening for Poland...one stop of many in the next two weeks. He's in Poland, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia and Phoenix, AZ...what a funny combination of places huh?!
Here's what he's up to in those places:
Poland - Mtg with JV leaders involved in church planting
Ukraine - JV Council meetings
Estonia - Visiting JV staff
Latvia - Visiting JV staff
Phoenix - JV Board winter meeting
He returns home on Friday, February 6th and leaves the next morning to speak all day at a men's conference about an hour away. Hope he doesn't have any jet lag!
There are more travels to come after that...he's home for two weeks, then away two weeks, home two weeks and away again for another two weeks. Whew! In between there I have a JV ladies retreat, though thankfully at Malenovice so no traveling for me!
So this is Dave's season of travel. Pray for him!
We had a great day yesterday celebrating Caleb's 16th birthday! It was a day full of surprises for him.
With the help of Tyler and some of Caleb's teachers, we got him out of school early - a nice first surprise since he wasn't expecting that on the last day of his final exams for the semester!
Then it was to the car where Claire and I were waiting. I handed him the phone and told him to call his dad and simply ask, "What's happening?"
Dave was in Sumperk finishing up the editing of a promo video for Exit 316. He told Caleb that we'd be meeting up in Olomouc in an hour. I wish you could've seen the confusion on his face as he was trying to sort out what his dad was saying. That is until he said, "We're going on to 
Brno to get you a guitar!" and then the lights went on!
The Furch guitar is handmade at a small factory near Brno and they have a showroom downtown where you can buy them at a reduced cost of what you'd pay if you were buying it out of the country. We got Tyler his guitar there on his 16th birthday and have greately enjoyed listening to for the past couple of years...and now we get to add another one to listen to!
We spent a couple of hours in the small showroom - Dave, Tyler and Caleb all trying out the guitars. Finally the selection was made! Such a happy moment, watching him with it, knowing he will have and enjoy it for a long time.
We left Brno around 4 with him thinking that was the end of his birthday celebration. He actually fell asleep in the car most of the way back.
But that wasn't the end!
Instead of going home, we went up to Malenovice where I'd told him we were having dinner. Much to his shock and delight, twenty friends were waiting there and yelled, "SURPRISE" as he walked in the door! It was perfect! Pulling off a surprise party is so much fun when it really works!!!
We had a great evening together celebr
ating Caleb and blessing him with words of encouragement and advise.
It was one of those priceless days where we got to enjoy and celebrate our son with people that we love!
I went to bed happy and peaceful, knowing Caleb would remember this birthday for a long time to come. As a mom, that's a great feeling!
