Thanks for all of the responses so far!

Greetings to all who have recently visited our blog. I have received some wonderful messages from my kids at Peach Plains. (The school I teach at states side.) But, just to let you guys know, I can't respond back to you with a personal email, which I'd like to do, unless you check the little section on the comments section that sends it straight to my email account. Also, if anyone would like to send me an email my address is:

klandera@gmail.com

I check it pretty often here in the summer, so send me a shout!

Thanks to Sarah, Brian, Mike, Kelsey, Alex, Nicole, Ryleigh, Paige, Sierra, and all of you who have written so far. You've made my days! And send me a personal email, and I'll ship one back to you as well.

Thanks everyone, I miss all of you as well!

Aaron (Mr. K)

Electric-less Lessons

Just a little tribute to our 2 days without electricity this past weekend...9pm Saturday night to 9pm Monday night.

Lesson 1: Toilets can be flushed without electricity. Buckets of pond water work just as well as anything. It is a skill which will not soon be forgotten and may be helpful in the coming year.

Lesson 2: Games with family are just as fun by candlelight.

Lesson 3: Hot water is a true gift from God! My dish washing habits have been greatly changed for the better. I will do dishes as soon as I can from this day forth for you just never know when you will next have the chance. (I think there may be more lessons in this lesson!)

Lesson 4: When there is nothing else to do...nap time is very pleasant (due to lack of whining about wanting to do other things).

Lesson 5: Family is priceless. Thanks Dad & Liz, Ang & Bryan & Lauren, for your graciousness with no showers and breakfast-less farewells on Sunday morning. Thanks to Mom & Dad VB for a generator & feeding us Sunday noon (as always) and the precious Pates for a Monday afternoon of dishes, showers, and dining. We always thank God for each of our family members but we were truly blessed by you this past weekend.

P.S. Ask Maya about her prayers when the electricity was out on Monday night. Go God!

A few quick Shout-outs

Well, school has finally ended for Aaron. I just wanted to send out a few quick words to those who have meant a lot to me over the past few years:

1) To my class that just graduated 5th grade. Wow! I really appreciated you guys this entire year, but especially over this past week. It was a tough week for me emotionally and I didn't really expect that. You know what a tough guy I am (HA!), but I really struggled Monday and Tuesday, and hanging out with all of the 5th graders Wednesday was awesome. You guys are so much fun to be around. You laugh easily and you love a good game of...anything. Thanks for all year, but last week in particular.

2) To my family. I wasn't home much last week, at least I'm pretty sure I wasn't (it was such a whirlwind). You guys were great. Even when I was home, my mind had a lot going and I don't think I gave you the attention you deserved. I'm sorry. I'm already enjoying just being home and hanging with you guys. (Even without electricity.) See Amy's entry.

3) To my extended family. Namely Ang, Bryan, Lauren, Dad, and Liz...Thanks for understanding my tiredness (not sure that is a word). I had a great time with you all anyway.

4) To my colleagues at Peach Plains Elementary. Thanks everyone. You guys are THE BEST. Thanks for you care, and your friendship.

*Special thanks to Dan. (For taking a chance on a goofy kid from Central College. Thanks man, you changed my life in more ways than words can say!)

5) To my God. Sorry I have once again placed you last on my list. Forgive me. I have finally had a chance to spend some time with you again these past few days. Sorry for neglecting you. I continue to try each day to do better. Forgive me for the excuse of business. And thanks for helping me get through a difficult week for saying a temporary (hopefully) goodbye.

Thanks everyone. God Bless you all!

Aaron

New Computer up & running

One of the items we had decided we needed before we went to Guatemala was a new computer. We wanted one on which we could video conference with family back home and could also handle all our correspondence needs for our mission trip. Well...here we are. We have had fun getting familiar with it and we even Skyped last night with Aaron's sister, Ang, & her husband Bryan in Iowa. Today's technology is just such a God thing. We tried out the web cam while Bryan, Angie & their one-year old, Lauren were here this past weekend. Here are the first few attempts...

Amy & Niece Lauren...

...and Maya
And Caden & Lily...

And I think we are done here!

What a true blessing from God technology is. Thanks God...& those of you who God has blessed with creative minds who have shared it with the world.

Preparation Status: T-49 days

Things we know and are sending up prayers of thankfulness about:
-Caden & Maya are done with school. Yeah!
-Caden will be attending 3rd grade...thanks Mrs. Koopman for passing him. ;)
-Maya will be attending 1st grade...thanks Mrs. Z for passing her. ;)
-Dad K & Liz, Bryan & Angie (Aaron's sister) and Lauren are coming today for a visit.
-We have our plane tickets. Leaving from Detroit on the 24th of July.
-Aaron will be teaching at the Christian Academy of Guatemala.
-Amy will be teaching Drama for an hour or so Mon-Thurs to the 6-12 graders.
-We have a place to live in Guatemala...a beautiful condo. (We'll add pictures when we figure out how.)
-Shots appointments are set.
Things we continue praying about:
-Adjustments go smoothly.
-We have a chance to see all of our loved ones before we leave.
-The grade level Aaron will teach & him having the strength and energy to complete his school year here...Friday here we come!
-Our home here to be "rented" out. We are now seeking diligently someone to live here & help cover part of the monthly payments.
-Courage to actually get our shots.
-The hundreds of other things that have to be done that haven't even crossed our minds.

News on Mendy & Steve

Many of you have been praying for my sister Mendy & her husband, Steve as they have been seeking the place where God has been calling them. They have found His calling in one of the most beautiful spots I have ever seen (even on my parents mis-colored TV). Tall Timbers Ranch located in the state of Washington will have the wonderful privilege of enjoying the many talents that the Pates have been blessed with. A link to the camp's website is located in our side bar. We rejoice that "when you know...you just know" is very true about our Maker's plans and the search is now over...and the adventure begins. Pray for the many details that have to be worked out in the next few months, including one little baby Pate that is to be born (Mendy's due June 20)! Pray for our parents, Bob & Shirley Vanden Bosch, as we ("Kids"-Amy, Mendy & Chad...and our families) have all been within 5 miles of each other for the past 2 years and that has been very good. In 52 days all that is going to change, as the Klanderman family will actually be the closest ones to our "home" in Overisel, MI as we will be in Guatemala only 1,978 miles away (Mendy & Steve @ Tall Timbers Ranch, WA=2169.7 miles, Chad @ Xai-xai Mozambique=8825 miles). Amazing how things can change in such a short matter of time. As hard as all this will be, it is a comfort to all of us that there is no doubt that we are walking the path God has laid out before us. (...and Mom & Dad love traveling!...Thanks, Mom & Dad, for always being our greatest fans and our most faithful prayer warriors...we love you!...You taught us well. Thanks!)

Finally Time for The Countdown...

Days until departure: 52
Kids involved in Musical last night: 32
Positive comments: Too Many to count
Only Reason why any good comes from anything we do: God! All praise to Him!
Days until company comes: 3
Days it will take me to get ready: 3
Number of Klandermans excited about our company coming: 6 (Beanie is geeked)
Days until Maya's Ballet Recital: 5
Days until Caden's Golf lessons: 7
Days until summer camp begins: 14
Tears shed for the end of school: growing number each day.
Tears shed for the upcoming shots: countless
Total number of injections before we leave: 6 (only one each for M & C)
Details that still need to be worked out in the next few weeks: Hundreds
Prayers needed: Thousands
Knowing God has it all under control: Priceless