Long time no blog

Yep, I have been busy. We hit September running and have not stopped, I think I have just adjusted. In early September my office mate, the lovely Fleur, was needed elsewhere so I have been alone, juggling the phone calls and my other office bits. So work is more intense and some days I work longer. I am still blessed with the ability to leave work around 12:30, but then I often run errands, such as go to the post office or bank for Betel.
On September 4th the boys went back to school. Everything was the same and familiar for Peter and Paul, but Christopher entered "lower" high school at Henley High. It has been a rough transition from his old primary school to a larger High school, with much more homework. He has been teased about being American and having red hair. So we have had to spend time getting him organized and helping him settle in.
On September 6th, Josh, my oldest son arrived from Korea. He immediately started an online course out of London and spends much of his time studying, as he intends to finish the course in half the recommended time. Just having another son in the house takes time, although we are enjoying him.
We also started our home bible studies every Tuesday night in September. We also started a new accountability program where we intentionally mentor two guys, a young mother and a family in our church. We are to try to spend at least an hour with them every two weeks. That does not sound like much, but with the travel time, it has added up. We are enjoying it immensely - especially the family. That includes Gina - an alcoholic who recently left the Betel women's house after spending 22 months there. She has rejoined her husband, Stuart, and their four children: Scott, 16; Tommy, 14; Danielle,13; and Charlie, 8. The family has had a very bumpy start to re-incorporating Gina back into family life and decisions, as well as adjusting to moving up here to Birmingham to live now. Their old hometown was just too toxic for Gina to go back to live, so last May, Stuart and the children moved here. But despite all their problems, they are doing well and we are enjoying getting to know them all better.

So there are my reasons, my excuses......did I mention we got a young dog? Not quite a puppy, but less than a year old, Bella (that was her name at the animal shelter) is a miniature Jack Russell terrier (terror!) mix. She is great, except when we take her for a walk. She thinks she can whoop up on any other dog she sees, as well as the goat down the road. We walk (or drag) her everyday, twice. Good exercise, I like it. I probably will not like it so much when winter sets in. But right now, the trees are gorgeous, the air is brisk and walking the dog is mostly a joy.

So, now that I have done new post, I consider myself back in the game. See ya next time.