I will blog more when I get a chance, but...

What a couple of days it has been. We left MN on Thursday morning with an interesting forecast...a whole day of severe weather. Hit the first storm, hail included, but drove through and hit some clear skies afterward. Then heard a forecast that warned us about severe weather near Fargo so we pulled off until it was by and didn't even get a drop on our car. Then...the sky stayed cloudy so we were hoping we were through it. But just as we got to Bismarck, ND a warning about high winds and severe weather came across the radio, and with one look at the ominous sky we pulled into the exit that was the last one for miles, and pulled the van & trailer behind the first gas station we came to and sat there. But then the wind came blasting around the building and the van started shaking so we ran for the building and ducked inside. The wind came with a fury and we stood inside the very sturdy, clean, and comfortable gas station/super market/Quiznos watching the cigarette ash catchers get blown across the parking lot. But talking to the manager this was pretty typical and he said it will be over in a few minutes. In 20 minutes we were back on the road, newly purchased root beer barrels from our little sanctuary from the storm, under sunny skies. It was amazing...a true miracle of God's timing in helping us maneuver through the day of storms and truly come through unscathed! And today...a beautiful day in Montana...just amazing views and breathtaking space. A glorious way to spend our last full day of traveling. Tomorrow we hope to be at camp by early afternoon. Can't wait! Thanks for the prayers everyone and keep them coming...they have been answered so far and can't wait to share more witness to the power of our God!

Made it to MN...

Our first day of driving was pretty good. A little slow just past Chicago where there was an accident. Then an extra bathroom break about 10 miles before we got to Grandma Rita's, then the police warning about going 45 in a 25 zone 100 yards from Grandma's. He graciously let us get to our anticipated stop without a ticket and a great couple of hours were spent with Grandma and about half the Smith clan (around 30-40 people). We love you guys so much and treasure each moment we had to spend. Our trip then to St. Cloud for 2 hours was pretty uneventful except the stop for some construction about 6 miles out of Woodville. We arrived at about 9:30pm. The hotel was great and we are rested and hope to be on the road again in 30 minutes. Thanks for the prayers everyone. More later!

Happy 14th Anniversary

Where has the time gone! An amazing 14 years it has been and the coming year looks to be pretty special as well. Celebrated last night with errands for our upcoming trip, Chinese food...sooooo good, and a movie...and surprisingly it was pretty good! Today was spent finishing up tasks around the house. I believe our 8am departure time tomorrow is very doable with only a very few last minute things to throw in. We hope to spend some time with Aaron's Grandma Rita in the afternoon and stay in St. Cloud, MN for the evening. It is quite an ambitious day but hopefully there is not too much construction and traffic, we'll just have to see. Thanks for the prayers for our travels and we hope to blog often during our adventure ahead, especially with pictures. All His love from our hearts. And thanks God for the wonderful man you blessed me to spend my life with. Here's to many more great years...Go God!

The Klanderman's Summer Mission 2010

Beloved,

Just a quick note to begin the posts for this next adventure in life God is calling us to...a summer at Tall Timber Ranch in central Washington. More to come soon. But we would be blessed if you would pray for us and the staff at the camp that we are ministering to. Blessings! At His feet,
The Klandermans

Tuesday, January 26

Greetings on a Tuesday.

Here's the Homework for tonight:

1. Math: 129 and 130 (Wed)

2. AR goals are due this week Friday!

3. Science Packet/Journal (this is not for everyone, but check with your son/daughter if they need to finish this up for tomorrow)

Have a great night.

Mr. K

Released Time

Released Time is not a program. It is an opportunity for parents to have their children participate in religious education during their school day. It is an opportunity for our children to connect the principles that our schools try to instill in them with the real reason for those principles to begin with...the truth found in God's Word. And if we aren't taking these times to share the truth with our communities and help in the guidance of our children down the paths that lead to life, we are truly missing an amazing opportunity to minister. So check out this link and pray about how God is calling you to be a part of this opportunity.

http://www.releasedtime.org/sitert/
This link that you can explore that gives most details about what Released Time is and where the laws and rulings came from. Make sure to click on the state by state information for specific Michigan Laws and the history section is fascinating.

http://www.rtce.org/pages.asp?pageid=32784
This is a link to a newsletter from Released Time Education. All the articles talk about the ways that Released Time works to stay in the parameters the law allows to minister to our school and our kids.

http://scienceblogs.com/dispatches/2007/12/michigan_school_starts_release.php
This last link is to an article written against Released Time...just to give you an idea of what opposition is out there. And to give you the feeling of urgency because this is one of those rights we have as parents that if we don't use it, there are those out there who would also take it from us. It is food for thought.

Pray about these things and contact me (amykman@gmail.com) if you are interested in hearing more...and check back to this blog for more updates in the future. At His feet, Amy

Continued Beginnings...

I'll go wherever you go, give you my heart and my soul, nothing can take me away, now and forever I'm yours...Another Vota song that ministers to me but also one that gives me courage to begin seeking God's purpose in the promptings he's laid on my heart.

So God called us back to the States. Honestly wasn't expecting that. February one marks a year ago when we prayed for the month about where God was calling us...to stay in Guatemala or return to Hamilton, MI. Here we are. Many tears were cried but the conviction that God laid on our hearts was undeniable. And something that God has been prompting my heart for years about has been rekindled...looking into beginning a Released Time Program at the school where my children attend. I have been helping to coordinate the program at one of the local elementary school where I used to teach and which is near our church. But my children attended a different elementary school with more than 3 times as many kids and the sheer numbers overwhelmed me. But after spending a year in Guatemala and hearing (and giving) testimony after testimony of our Mighty God working in mighty ways, I am pressing on with what God has laid on my heart. A few friends and I have been praying about it this past fall and yesterday I shared with a few moms at Blue Star Elementary and through their encouragement today continues the seeking of God's will in this specific program for our elementary.

Here's what you can do:
1) Pray. Pray that God will soften hearts, open doors, and draw us all closer to him by seeking his will in our lives.
2) Find out more information about Released Time. In the following blog I will place links for more of the technical information available.
3) Communicate with each other about how God is working in our hearts about a program such as this at Hamilton Elementary (especially those who have a heart for the school, the kids, and the surrounding community). I would love to share my experience and begin talks about where God could be leading us in all this.

Please contact me by e-mailing me at amykman@gmail.com if you are interested in any aspect of this, from needing more information to just waiting for an opportunity to serve. Thank you and God, we are yours. Use us in your mighty ways.

At His feet,

Amy