Update on Gene & Jeff,

Jeff came home from the hospital in Eau Claire today.  Karrie & Mike went to get him.  He needs care at home.

Gene had his first chemo treatment three weeks ago.  He needs four treatments.  He was very tired and ached all over.  His next treatment is Thursday, Oct. 30.  Keep Jeff & Gene in your prayers.

Scott Zandstra's Father - Uncle Jeff

Scott called this morning to inform us that his dad, Chuck Zandstra, died this morning.  Chuck was battling cancer.  Chuck & Arlene are our friends and were members of our small group at church.  We don't have the arrangements.  We are sorry we will not be able to attend the funeral as we are still in Birchwood.  Uncle Jeff was moved to a room from the surgical critical care unit today.  He will be in the hospital for several more days - then be in rehabilitation.

Uncle Jeff's surgery

Tòmorrow morning at 8:00 Uncle Jeff will be having open-heart surgery with 4 bi-passes.  One artery is 90% blocked.  Aunt Lee and Jeff came to Birchwood last Saturday.  Jeff wasn't feeling well so Elmer took him to the Marshfield Clinic in Rice Lake.  They transferred him to the Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire.  We will be going to the hospital at 5:00 tomorrow to see him before they take him for surgery at 6:15.  Keep Jeff and the doctors in your prayers.

Chicago Marathon

Hello Yous kids! As some of you may or may not know, I decided to make an extreme New Year's Resolution and run the Chicago Marathon this year (I guess Sam's running is starting to rub off on me). For those who would like to come out and support, the race is on Sunday, Oct. 12th. Depending on which wave I'm in, I believe I will begin running at either 7:30 or 8:00 a.m. I understand that the reunion at Uncle Wayne's is the same weekend, so whoever is there can track me online if you would like. Wish me luck!

Update from the East

It's been a month of firsts for the Gesch family in North Jersey!

• Sawyer's first day of Kindergarten
• Xander's first day of Preschool
• The Family's first visit to NYC (via Ferry to the High Line and Times Square)
• Sawyer's first day of soccer practice
• Our first "first day" at Eastern Christian

Here's some pictures to prove it:

Support Second Grade Readers :)

Hi Everyone! I'm just letting you know about a project that I'm doing to fundraise for a little technology to be included in my new classroom at Calvin Christian School in South Holland :)

You can click on the link below to see what it is all about, but in short, I am trying to get 5 tablets for kids to use so that they can listen to books being read aloud, as well as access books at their particular level.

I will have 25 second graders beginning on August 27, and while it is a fabulous school community, it doesn't necessarily have access to the funds that my public school had for things like this. I'd love to help add resources that meet the needs of kids who are reading at a lot of different levels. Any contributions are of course appreciated, don't feel coerced, but I just wanted to let you know about a giving opportunity that would support Christian Education and some great kids at a school that many members of the family once called home in one way or another.

Thanks!

Here's the link:
http://www.gofundme.com/d2j1kw

photography show downtown

For those of you who haven't heard, I joined a women's photography group downtown before I moved to North Carolina.  I have two photos in a show downtown with that group that opens this Sunday!  The opening reception is this Sunday (August 17) from 2:00-4:00pm.  All the photos are for sale as well!

No pressure to go (I won't even be there…which I'm bummed about)…but in case you're interested I wanted to let you all know!

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!