Highlights of our Year in Dallas - Part 1 (Kieran)

Transition...the word of the year around our house!  Our kids have traveled  more this year than they have their entire lives (put together), and we are so proud of how how well they have both done with these transitions.  Everyday hasn't been a cake walk, but we have all survived.  When we moved to Dallas, I knew it was going to be a challenge to go to school full time and start homeschooling Kieran.  Thankfully, God blessed us with a curious, self-motivating student.  He and Elyse went to childcare in the morning while Kris and I were in class.  We would pick them up around 12:45, eat lunch, and then I would start homeschool around 1:45.   Many days Kieran would come up to me and say, "Isn't it time to start school now?"  He definitely kept me on my toes!!  Kieran and I had so much fun this year exploring God's creation, learning about math, and reading all the time.  What a privilege to watch Kieran go from reading short, basic sentences to reading ahead in the Magic Tree House chapter books that I would read to him at night.  Because of his hard work, we finished kindergarten and half of 1st grade!  I get exhausted just thinking about it! 

We also signed Kieran up for Karate classes at the local rec center near our school.  We weren't sure if he would enjoy it or not, but after returning from Christmas break, he started back in the class.  Once he learned that it was possible for him to earn his gold belt before we left Dallas, he gained a new focus and started practicing all the moves he needed to memorize for the belt test.  He worked very hard and earned his gold belt one week before his final class!  Don't even think about putting him in a headlock...you have been warned!  

Even more exciting than the academic and physical things that Kieran has learned is the spiritual lessons that he has learned through this year.  Before moving to Texas, Kieran struggled with the spiritual aspect of our move and new career path.  We prayed specifically that God would make Himself known to Kieran through this transition.  We believe that God answered our prayers.  Soon after we moved here, Kieran prayed to ask Jesus into his heart.  Right before Easter, Kieran began asking questions about baptism and wanted to know if he could go forward to talk to the pastor.  The first Sunday in May, he told us he wanted to go forward.  He was ready to be baptized right then, but the next baptism service was not until June 3rd.  We are so thankful that the timing of this allowed for all of his grandparents to be there to watch him.  He was a little nervous Sunday and Kris said he was very chatty when they were in the baptism room getting ready (he gets chatty when he is nervous).  Afterwards, he ran up to me and said, "Mommy, I'm baptized!"  There is no greater joy for us as parents than to see our kids come to the Lord!  The next day, we saw Kieran in the tree in front of our house trying to reach the Frisbee that was stuck up in it.  Kris asked if he needed any help.  Kieran replied, "Dad, I'm a six and a half year old boy who has been baptized.  I can do this."  Our prayer now is that Kieran will continue to lean on God and look to Him for strength and wisdom. 


"Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" Matthew 19:26