'12 AUG: School starts & Mika's B-day

For our family, school and volleyball season start simultaneously. Mark began teaching fall courses--Computer Applications and Digital Media--and the five of us began frequenting the gym after school for tryouts then practices. We have amazing babysitters who watch our children for us; Mika and Coby get excited when we tell them they get to play with these two high school girls for the afternoon. Kona Mae is an easy, even-tempered baby who adjusts nicely to our on-the-go mode.

Please pray for us as we coach. Our team has eleven players and two managers. We desire to be good examples for them--individually and as a family unit--and to teach them Biblical principles as we challenge them athletically.

The season is also a stretch for us as the evenings go long with late practices and games. Please pray that we will have endurance and discipline through September, October, and the first part of November.

In other news, the Seoul International Playgroup began meeting this month. Average attendance so far has been around 25 kids a week, and we're excited to see a number of new families coming. Malia will be working on the quarterly newsletter in the next month, to be published in October. Please pray for opportunities and courage to share the gospel with friends she meets through this playgroup.

Our big girl, Mika, had her fourth birthday at the end of the month. She has so much joy and energy--we are blessed with a compassionate and kindhearted little girl. If you'd like, you can read Malia's thoughts about Mika's growing older, posted on her other blog.

In September, we look forward to more of our volleyball season, our school's staff retreat, and a short trip to Hawaii to attend Malia's brother's wedding on September 29. We will also begin AWANA in the middle of the month. We're excited about all that's going on and loving doing things together as a family of five!