Our summer started in early June with a trip to Maui! We had an extended layover in Japan so we took in a few sites with some fellow TCIS employees, and then it was on to fun in the sun. We stayed on Ka’anapali beach, and it was beautiful. We spent most of our days at the beach and traveled inland one day for a little hike, and visit to a marine aquarium. Everything was terrific (with the exception of getting the car towed one day), and we would recommed Maui to anyone.

After Maui, it was on to Minnesota! Our first night in we caught a Twins game which was a great way to start off our time at home.   We were also able to spend a few days in Canada with Jaci’s family (the Malones).  However, the bulk of our summer consisted of remodeling our house in Alexandria. We purchased the house in January, and have been renting it since then. We decided this would be a good summer to do some overhauling. Basically we stripped out all of the flooring, and gutted the main bathroom. We installed laminate flooring in the livingroom and kichen, tiled the entry ways, bathrooms and a kitchenette, and put carpet in the rest of the place. We installed a couple new toilets, a new tub and new sink and vanity in the bathroom. We also repainted every room in the house. Thank you to those of you who helped us!

We were also blessed to visit with many of our family and friends. Our five nephews are all getting SO BIG! Each of our families had a baby shower for us, as well as our church. It is safe to say we are not hurting for baby stuff. It was quite the trick to get most of it back to Korea, but Jaci is the master organizer, so she made it happen. Anyway, it was great to feel the love and support of so many people. We really feel blessed to have such a supportive group at home.

We returned to Korea on August 4, and have been busy preparing for the upcoming school year. Jaci will not be teaching this year, and will be able to focus on being a mom. She will be working part-time helping the English department with cirriculum and literacy support, as well as substitute teaching and coaching. I (Mike) am working in the same role this year (Student Life Minister). We are excited to see how God is going to work in our school this year. We have a lot of new staff members, and there is a new vitality in the air (although we are really missing our friends from past years). We are trusting that God will move in the hearts and lives of the kids here as we do our best to serve them.

We went to the doctor last Tuesday for Jaci’s check-up and everything is going well. Aside from the regular discomforts of pregnancy Jaci is doing great. The doctor here thinks the baby is “too fatty”, and is also concerned that Jaci has gained too much weight as well, but we just laugh about that. Jaci had an ultra-sound, and it was amazing to see the baby. He even opened his eyes!

We pray God’s best for you and ask that you pray for us as we start another school year at TCIS. Pleae pray that God will work in us, and also through us to reach our students. Please pray that they will come to know God and serve Him. Also please pray for us as we prepare to be parents, and pray for the health and safety of Jaci and the baby.