PINOCHLE, THANKSGIVING, AND CHRISTMAS DATES

Dear Family,

As our family grows, it is more difficult to find dates where we all can come to holiday gatherings.  But, we will do our best to find dates that will hopefully work for everyone.  We are looking at the following dates for:
     Thanksgiving - Thursday, November 27
     Pinochle Party - Saturday, November 29
     Christmas - Saturday, December 27
Do you know your holiday schedules?  Let us know how this works for you.
Grandma & Grandpa

my new NC home

In the spirit of move updates, here are some photos from my recent move to North Carolina!  We packed up the van and Uhaul last Monday and made the 10.5 hour incredible drive to my new home state!

I started training for my new jobs this week, my RA staff moves in on Thursday and Friday, and new students come the following week.  Thanks for the prayers!  I could use some more moving forward as I meet my staff, my residents, and figure out how to do long distance.

Love you all!

[in front of the building I'm an RD in!]

 [in the 2 days they were here, my family helped set up my apartment and paint]

 we even had time to go hiking :)

New Jersey: 3 Weeks In

Well, it's been almost 3 weeks since we moved to New Jersey.  Thought we owed the fam an update. It's been super busy but it's been a lot of fun so far too.  A few observations:

1. This place is hilly! Having lived in the midwest for my entire memory, everything is relatively flat. North Jersey, by contrast, is totally covered with hills and forests. Driving anywhere is an adventure because you're driving up/down/around hills.
2. Kids are up for anything. Even if I don't like to admit it, there's a lot of stress around a big move and a lot to think about and plan for.  Not if you're 5 or 3. These kids are excited for everything new and jump right into anything.  Sawyer just did a week of VBS in a church where she knows no one. Xander runs around these hills and woods like some sort of monkey.
3. The Flora and Fauna. Our back yard backs into 13 acres of woods. In our yard, we have seen (so far): bucks, does, fawns, turkeys, wood chucks, chipmunks, squirrels, coyote, raccoons, many song birds.  The kids love looking for them.  

Anyway, just thought we'd share an update. All is well- thanks for your prayers and well wishes. We're having lots of fun meeting new people and learning the area. We just sold our Chicago-land home late last week- God continues to amaze us.

Bye from Jersey!

Graduation Celebration!!!

Me and Nicole are having a party to celebrate my graduation from Purdue North Central. The party will be at the Morgan Township Fire Department on Friday, August 8th at 6:30 PM. Everyone is welcome to come and celebrate with us. If you need the address or directions please let us know.   Please RSVP to (219)-286-7473.

Family Information for Gene Voss

Dear Family,  We just talked to Gene and he informed us that he is having surgery next Wednesday, July 30, at Edwards Hospital in Naperville.  He has breast cancer.  He discovered a sensitivity in his chest and thought the seat belt was the problem.  Then he felt a small lump.  He had a doctor's appointment and mentioned the concern to him.  He then had a mammogram and biopsy.  The doctor reported that the lump (as big as a grape) was cancerous.  He is going to have it removed next Wednesday.  Keep him in your prayers.  His address is:  4329 Bayhead Ct., Apt. 1A,  Aurora, IL 60504 - phone 630-605-1643.

60th Anniversary Weekend

Dear Van Drunen Family,

On June 12 & 13, 2015, (Friday and Saturday) we have reserved 5 condos at Blue Harbor in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, to celebrate our 60th wedding anniversary.  Please save the date.  Details to follow.  We are not planning a golf outing during this time.  Use of the waterpark is available for early arrivals on Friday.  Please clear your calendar.

new news

For those who haven't heard, I'm starting my life as a real adult. :) 

I recently accepted a job as a Residence Director and the Director of Student Activities at Montreat College in western North Carolina.  I'm moving there just before August 1st, so if you're looking for a new vacation spot, come visit me in the next 10 months! 

Other recent happenings include the following:  a 10 day trip west to shoot a wedding in Washington followed by a day trip to Canada to eat donuts and a week camping with Kaleb's family in Idaho, buying a new car, searching for things to fill my apartment, and learning adultish things like getting insurance and what not.  

ps…sorry to bump ya marky

Update on Israel

Hello All,

I wanted to quickly give an update of the situation in Israel.  Let me start by saying that I am safe. While things are happening around the nation and there are tensions rising, JUC is doing all that they can to make sure we are safe here in Jerusalem.

This afternoon (About an hour ago) the "rocket sirens" were going off in Jerusalem to signal that there were rockets headed towards the general area and to take shelter. This also happened the last couple days. Jerusalem has opened up a multitude of underground shelters and at JUC we have a secure location as well.  The official word is that 4 rockets were launched in the general vicinity of Jerusalem.  2 were shot down in mid-air by the Defense System and 2 landed, but in very remote areas around Jerusalem. These happenings could be heard from JUC, but not very loudly.  Hamas does not have a way to control where the rockets are targeted, so they just launch them in general areas.  Israel has called at least 10,000 reserve troops to the border of the Gaza Strip and Israel themselves have been launching air-raids from both air and the Mediterranean Sea trying to defeat and annihilate Hamas in the Gaza Strip.  So, it is clear that tensions are rising and it would seem that the next few days things will only heat up, but it is unknown the next step for the Israeli troops and government.

Once again, I am safe.  I appreciate the support from our family and prayers would be greatly appreciated for the people in this nation-especially in the Gaza Strip-as well as myself and the group I am with here. I am not worried about my safety and I know the Lord is still in control through all the terror and chaos.

We have a Dead Sea Field Study-Masada, Qumran, Ein Gedi-tomorrow for 13 hours and then a Bethlehem Field Study on Saturday.  Next week (my last full week here) will  be spent at a resort in Ein Gev along the Sea of Galilee as we do Field Studies throughout the Galilee area. I love it here.  Also, everyone have a blast at Brian and Anna's wedding on Saturday! I will be celebrating with you from Bethlehem. Wish I could be there!

Peace and Blessings,

Mark

Fort Wilderness Trip

Just got back from a week at family camp at Fort Wilderness. It was an awesome way to spend one of our last weeks in the midwest with family.  If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend going!

Refresh Your Memory People!

We are offish 10 days away from D-Day, AKA Wedding Day! I spoke with the DJ today and said if he doesn't play this song, he doesn't get paid.

Just kidding, but kinda serious.

Refresh your memory and get out those dancing shoes, because July 12 is coming :)