Pictures from Parents Weekend

Our little football player

I am hoping to get those pictures up from parents weekend and the pictures of Melissa's art, and Grace's dance pictures, but I am still having difficulty with the computer.This picture of Calvin #79 ( second from left)was in the local paper and there is an online version so I am able to at least get a picture of someone in the family on the blog.

Melissa has moved out

What an exciting experience for Melissa as she embarks on this new adventure.She has got an apartment on campus and has been moving in all week. As I sit here and type this I am watching her sleep on the couch here at our house. She will move her dresser tomorrow and some food from here and then that will be it ...she will be all moved in.This is probably the last night that she will sleep in our house maybe ever.How did this happen?...another child grown and moved on....Their lives go by so fast you don't even realize it until it is gone.Don't get me wrong I am pleased with both of my grown children and happy that they are able to make it on their own.The ache that it causes only another parent that has experienced this will understand. So much in our lives has changed in the last 18 months that it is hard to describe the ache that I sometimes have to turn back the clock about 20 years and enjoy it all over again.I know that the next 19 months will bring even more change in our lives. I know that when Robert finishes school we will leave behind our first born daughter and who knows where God will lead us next.We will also have to leave behind a new church family that we are learning to love so much that I know it will hurt a lot to move on from them. So much uncertainty in what our futures hold but so much certainty in our sovereign God's plan.Although we don't know what to expect next we know that God will direct us as we learn to trust Him more.I hope we can stay right here in Louisville if God so designs us a place to serve full time.Even if we do I am sure God will direct Melissa to where He wants to use her and so that will still mean a painful separation.
If you are reading this and have young children...hug them tightly, for soon they will be too far away to hug.Read to them often,for that will bring back sweet memories of times spent cuddled together on a quiet evening. Talk to them at every opportunity, for soon they will be too far away and too busy to talk to you much. Pray with them and for them for soon you will long to hear their prayers. Share your heart with them and inspire them to love Jesus for the fruits of that will be the only lasting joy.Play games when you really need to wash dishes for they will not remember the dishes but you will remember the times of fun and games. Go for nature walks and see through their eyes and show them just how great God is.Go outside when they are begging you to put down that laundry and see something they just saw and can't wait for you to come look. Let them help cook even when you know it may not turn out perfect if you do.Let them make dad's birthday cake even if it is lopsided for soon they will not be home for dad's birthday anymore and may be too busy to remember. Make Christmas decorations and put them on the tree even if it does not match your perfectly planned scheme for the tree for soon you will long to see those ornaments as you hang them without even seeing your child for Christmas this year. Go to their games even when you have morning sickness for soon they will play games so far away that you cant go anymore.Make cookies with them and take them to people to see the delight that it brings the recipient and the joy it brings your child. Make crafts when they get tired of the same old boring school lessons.Praise them often for someday they may remember that someone back home will always love them and be proud of them even when they make mistakes or feel they have failed.Be aware of the time and take advantage of it for time is passing quickly.Remember that you too will be sitting where I am sitting tonight watching you child as they sleep in your house for the very last time.
Becky

Falcon Game in Dallas

I dont know that traveling towards a hurricane is very wise but that is the case tomorrow morning.Caleb is there in Dallas and I am sure he is ready to play despite the weather. The game info is below.His jersey # is 49 not 52 like I stated in previous post.

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AFA-Houston football game moved to 10 a.m. CT Saturday, Sept. 13; No Television

The Air Force Academy's football game Saturday against the University of Houston has been moved to 10 a.m. CT (not 2:30 p.m. CT as originally scheduled) at Gerald J. Ford Stadium at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, according to officials at Houston. The game was originally scheduled for Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at John O'Quinn Field at Robertson Stadium in Houston, but alternate plans were made due to Hurricane Ike. The game will be broadcast on KVOR AM 740 and in Denver and northern Colorado on KYOL AM 1510. You can also listen to the game on www.GoAirForceFalcons.com. The game will not be on television due to the time change.

News from our trip to Colorado

I know it has been a while since I updated this blog. We have and are still having problems with my computer. I hope to get it fixed this weekend so that I can upload a bunch of pictures from parents weekend. We had such a wonderful time in Colorado Springs. What a beautiful part of the country. We mostly enjoyed seeing Caleb. We were blown away by the Academy experience. I had to choke back tears many times as we followed him around the Academy and had the privilege of going to a few of his classes with him. One was a Computer science class and I was able to follow it for 5 minutes before I was lost. I sat there as Caleb answered questions that I didn't even understand and marveled at how easily things come to him. We are so proud of how far he has come and all the obstacles that he has overcome along he way. The fact that he plays Division 1 football after having to overcome so much as a freshmen in high school he continues to amaze us.The whole weekend was a joy. We loved the time we had with Alex coming and going to Colorado.We loved being able to spend Caleb's birthday with him.
The Academy is such an impressive place. You truly look into the faces of Americas future leaders. The pride for country and gratitude that wells up in you for such sacrifice, that even these young men and women that are not in a combat situation, but give up their individual freedoms for 4 long years to pursue serving their country in the future, is overwhelming. The classroom situation is unreal. The # of students per teacher is so incredible. I have heard other student in Calebs age bracket talk of their class attendance being in the hundreds.Caleb's teachers know his name and can see his computer screen form the back of the room,and in this day and age that kind of teaching just doesn't exist too many places. No wonder nearly 10 thousand of the brightest students across this nation apply every year.
As you can tell we were impressed with the Academy but we were mostly impressed with the man that our son is becoming.I can not tell you how great he wears that dress uniform.Makes my heart almost stop to think that he is my son...my little boy that used to bring my handfuls of flowers and has brought me such joy in the past and to look at him now it is almost too much to take in.Where did the time go? Who knows what the future holds for him but we will be proud of him and enjoy him no matter what is in that future. It is exciting to think about what God is going to do with him.
After I fix my computer I will post some exciting news from Melissa and will hopefully be able to post her new paintings and our pictures from parents weekend.

Towers newspaper

Boyce student uses artwork to promote adoption, spread of the Gospel



August 18, 2008
For Boyce student Melissa Konemann, creating art is a ministry. Konemann is donating the proceeds of four charcoal drawings to an adoption agency. Photo by John Gill


Many children are known for their drawing prowess. Nearly all parents could recall a time when they discovered a mural constructed by their child with red, yellow and blue crayon on a bedroom wall.

With Melissa Konemann, however, things were different. Konemann says she "remembers always painting and drawing," just not on bedroom walls. Konemann said her grandfather has a piece of art saved that she made at age three.

For Konemann, a sophomore at Boyce College, art is a ministry. During the month of July, four of Konemann's charcoal portraits were on display on the walls of Java Brewing Company's Frankfort Ave. location. The drawings depict orphans from four different countries, with Konemann planning on donating the proceeds from the sale of the pieces to a non-profit adoption organization.

"I have a heart for adoption and missions," said Konemann, a biblical and theological studies major. "I see a need for adoption, especially for us in America who are so blessed. I would love to see people in the United States bring kids into their homes.

"I know financially adoption is a challenge, so I want to do whatever I can to help. I see it as a Gospel mission, not just adopting a kid because you can't have any, but also bringing them in to share the Gospel with them. There is so much need."

Konemann said the four drawings represent orphans from Romania, Armenia, Korea and India. Using pictures of children from those different countries for inspiration, Konemann said she particularly focused on the eyes in her portraits.

"They are close-up pictures," she said. "I wanted to give it up an up close and personal view of the orphans. Something that jumped out from the page and grabbed people's attention. A lot of focus is on the eyes, which I thought was important because we express a lot through the eyes."

With each portrait, Konemann posted a Bible verse related to orphans, such as James 1:27, which tells believers to look after widows and orphans in their distress.

While Konemann said she grew up doing artwork, age 14 is when she really began taking drawing and painting seriously. Konemann said she took a few classes at a local art store, but has no training other than that. Konemann does a variety of art — including Sumie, a Japanese art style — but said she particularly enjoys composing oil paintings and charcoal drawings.

Konemann's father Robert is a master of divinity student at Southern Seminary. Robert Konemann came to Southern in the fall of 2007 after pastoring 12 years in a church he planted in Jacksonville, Fla.

Melissa said she had been looking for inspiration for her artwork for quite a while before she had the idea of donating her earnings to a non-profit organization. She said she would like for these four drawings to be the start of something bigger, of a lifelong ministry.

"I would like to expand on the orphans. I want to do some more drawings and paintings," she said. "I want to do very real, very personal pictures depicting missions, whether that is people groups, missionaries or converts. I would like to do several different aspects and several different series of people from different countries. That would be non-profit as well, with the money going to missions."

Ideally, Konemann said she would be able to generate enough income from some of her pieces to enable her to create a good number of non-profit items.

From an early age, Konemann began creating art that lasted, a talent she is glad to use.

"It is exciting for me to do a piece and watch it come alive," she said.

NEW ROSTER POSTED ON THE ACADEMY WEBSITE

http://goairforcefalcons.cstv.com/
go here and click on football then the next page has links on the right just click "roster"

This is a link to the new roster that was listed today. Caleb and his friend AJ are on this roster and we are so excited about going to see him next week on parents weekend and having the honor of meeting AJ and his parents. The drive is 19hours and we are going straight through UHG! We will have the joy of bringing Caleb's girlfriend Alex with us which will help break up the boredom. She is a saint to even attempt it. Good thing she comes from a family of 6 kids or else she would probably jump out of the car half way through Kansas.
Becky