Symanzik Family Update

Emily and Emilyn turned 18 yesterday.

Emilyn and Emily

They are twins who live in the area behind our house. Their Dad, Ed, cleans our yard up once a week.
We are sponsoring Emily to go to University of Mindanao. She is in her 2nd year of college and is pursuing business management degree.
Emilyn had dropped out of high school for a while and has now returned to finish. She is in her 3rd year of high school at Thompson Christian School near where we live.

Ed, Emily, and Emilyn from two years ago when they came to
James and Jerard's first birthday party. The younger girl in this
photo is a cousin.

Pray for these two to grow in their Christian faith.
Pray for us as we deepen relationships with these two. They are very sweet young ladies.

Faith Academy is holding it's first day of classes today.

When I asked Mikayla, Kirsten, and Ben for a group photo before school, Kirsten quipped "is this a yearly tradition we HAVE to do?"
Her Daddy said, "No, this year we will do a group photo
DAILY!!!" (joke lang!)

Mikayla - looking forward to seeing friends but not the
stress and trials of 10th grade homework.

Ben, nervous about starting third grade but looking forward
to seeing his friends again.

Kirsten, anxious to get back to school for friends, 'something
to do', science and art class.

Pray for our kids to have a good school year academically, to grow in their Christian faith, and to always seek first HIM.

They were all looking forward to getting back with friends.

Lindsey, Rebekah, Mikayla
Mikayla's friend, Rebekah, had been gone for a year furlough. They are glad to be back together again!

Kirsten hadn't seen her good friend, Seo Yeon, all summer.

Ben hadn't seen his best buddy, Fernando, all summer
and is so glad the teacher has them sitting next to each other!

Kirsten with Mr. Saint. He's a favourite teacher of all the
middle schoolers!

Ben's classroom.

Ben working hard already!

Our son, Ben, turned 9 years old today!

Ben

He woke up this morning with croup and was not feeling well so his original birthday plans had to be delayed.
His Daddy took him to the mall this afternoon to play at the arcade and watch a movie. They had good 'father-son' time.
This evening, two of Ben's friends, Joel and Michael, came for dinner and play time! They all greatly enjoyed the punching bag Ben received.

Joel, Ben, and Michael

Ben enjoying the punching bag for practicing his karate he
received for his birthday.

'Balloon Warriors' - Joel, Ben, Michael

Impressive kick, Ben!

We thank God for Ben and the blessing he is.

Help him always seek first You and Your kingdom. Make him a man after Your own heart. Thank you for blessing us with him as our son. Amen.

Proverbs 4: 20My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart.
22For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.

We just spent one night at Eden Nature Park. It was nice to be up in the mountains and cooler. We had a great time.

Jerard stayed home with Lola Arlene. The stress of to much change sets off seizures for him.

We hiked the 4K trail. Surprisingly, James walked most of it himself! We thought we'd be carrying him more than we did!

Swimming in the cold pool in the rain!