Welcome Rachel!

My cousin Rachel moved in on August 30th! In order for her to rent a room from us, we converted our playroom (actually the formal living room) into a third bedroom.

BEFORE - the kid's playroom


During Construction - Our friend HK made it all possible by putting in a legitimate but removable wall... complete with insulation and a door!


HUGE thanks to HK and others who donated labor and some materials!


AFTER - this picture is taken from the front door of the house. the new door to Rachel's room is on the left.


We still have some toy storage in the entryway and Rachel still has a large 14' x 14' room!


Kaylin painted Rachel a welcome sign!

Welcome Rachel! We love you!

Sinus Surgery Update

Thanks to all for the many thoughts and prayers sent my way on Friday and since. Dr. Jahng performed my endoscopic sinus surgery to clean out chronic sinusitis and enlarge the drainage hole from my left sinus cavity to my nose.

Surgery apparently went just fine... of course I don't remember anything between taking a couple of deep breaths from the mask and then waking up in recovery room. However, I'm told that before the doctor was done with the surgery, I sat straight up and made the move to leave the room! I guess I had to be restrained. =) Then, when I was still coming to in the recovery room, I kept wanting to sit up.

Anyway, the recovery process has been somewhat less than thrilling but I am looking forward to the relief that will come from the weeks of sinus pain and pressure I've been experiencing.

The picture below was inspired by this blog post and picture after my brother had surgery to fix a hole in his eardrum recently...

A Change of Plans...

Well... it turns out that the best thing for Kaylin is that she go to Kindergarten next year.

Going into this school year, we knew that Kaylin was very ready academically. We also felt that she could really benefit from a learning and social experience like school, something to do outside our home. However, we also knew that because of her October birthday, she would be on the young side if she attended Kindergarten this year. We did also wonder whether or not she would be bold enough socially to tackle a highly structured and long day of school (8-2). We had thought long and hard and prayed diligently about the decision and went ahead with starting her this past Wednesday. However, after observing and talking with Kaylin, getting feedback from her teacher and principal, and further reflecting on the many advantages of her being older when she begins her schooling career (not to mention the unsettled feeling in our gut), we feel like God made it quite clear to us that the best thing for Kaylin would be to go to Kindergarten next year. We all agreed she was now fully ready academically, but we all also agreed she could really only benefit from one extra year to mature and grow in other ways.

We learned today of two different pre-K class opportunities that could give Kaylin a shorter day of school experience more suited for a kid her age. We'll keep you posted on what we decide... she will likely begin a new class in the next couple of weeks. Kaylin didn't bat an eye about not going back to school tomorrow, and she seems very excited to go to a new, shorter class.

Although the timing of all this was confusing and stressful, we are glad that we were able to make observations, get feedback and gain the information needed to do what's best for Kaylin. Thank you to the many of you who have been praying for us and her during this process... there's no question that God used those prayers to help us find peace in this new decision.

Watch for another post in a week or so titled "1st Day of Preschool!" :)

1st Day of Kindergarten! - part 2

After school, Kaylin was all smiles and in this picture, she AND mommy are giving the thumbs up to prove that they both survived the day! =)


TJ had a big hug ready for his "sissy." We think he's gonna miss his entertainer in the mornings... and we know mommy is gonna miss Kaylin entertaining him.


To celebrate, Kaylin (and TJ) got to get a treat at Golden Spoon with mommy and Bonnie and Josh.



Yummy! What a big kindergartner!


So far, so good... we're excited for our first kid in school! I loved coming home and getting to hear her tell me all about her day.

Thanks to all for praying for Kaylin!

1st Day of Kindergarten! - part 1

Here's the Kindergarten drop-off coverage... more later today!

Siblings on 1st day of school for Kaylin


Kaylin just before heading over to meet her teacher and classmates!


Newsflash: Long story short... we learned just yesterday afternoon that Kaylin's best option might be to switch into a full day (8am to 2pm) class instead... after lots of discussion and prayer, Amy and I decided to have her go for it.


Here's her desk... all ready for her. Please pray for her these first days of school... she's tall but definitely among the youngest kids in her class. Please pray that she'll adjust well, get used to the routine, and make new friends!


Things were going pretty smoothly until she and the other kids went to "carpet time" for a story. Her teacher read a story while all the parents stood around and watched. However, Kaylin started getting sad after being separated from us... not surprising knowing Kaylin's personality... she's a bit timid and shy at first, needing some extra time and encouragement.


Here's Amy helping her get back to the carpet as the parents begin to leave. With encouragement from us and her teacher, she went back (though still hesitant) and began to watch what her teacher was doing. We smiled and waved and made our move and got out the door.


Then, we stood down the corridor for a few minutes recovering and praying for her. Then we would periodically sneak back for peeks into her classroom. She seemed to be doing fine as her teacher continued to engage the class. From observing Kaylin in the past, we are pretty confident that she'll be fine once she gets more comfortable, gets into the routine, and makes some new friends.

More later today....

2 Prayer Requests

#1 - I am having sinus surgery at noon on Friday. I'm not excited about the procedure and the recovery but am looking forward to getting some relief after a lifetime of sinus problems and an extended sinus infection these past four months. The surgery isn't a miracle cure... but will clear up this current infection and could improve my ability to deal with allergies and colds in the future.

#2 - Kaylin's FIRST day of Kindergarten is tomorrow! We can't believe it! She seems excited and knows what to expect. We'll see soon enough how she (and her mom) handles it. Plus, we'll have pictures posted soon!

My Fourth Semester @ Talbot

I started my fourth semester at Talbot last week. By the end of this semester I will be over halfway done with my Master's degree. I'm hoping/planning to graduate in May 2010.

This semester's reading load... minus one textbook.

I am really excited about the three classes I am taking this semester... I just hope I can manage the 8 units. By doing three classes now, I hope to only take two per semester (plus classes in January term and summer) the rest of the way.

My classes are:

• An Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles... Professor Ben Shin - I'm really looking forward to this very practical study of many issues related to pastoral ministry.
• Old Testament Survey... Dr. John Hutchison - same prof that I had for NT Survey... lookin' forward to it.
• Theology I... Dr. Mark Saucy - Mark and his wife Bonnie are our mentor couple... this will be my first class with him as my prof. Good stuff!

Disneyland with the Kurtz family!

While the Kurtz family was vacationing in SoCal, we are so glad they came to stay with us a couple of nights! We'd only gotten to see Christie and the kids when we were in Santa Cruz and that was only briefly... so it was good to get some fun time with their whole family!

Kurtz family waiting for the parade. Caden is asleep but I didn't have any other pics of the whole family. =)

I think Jeff and I were trying to act scared of the monsters from the Monsters Inc. ride... but the kids didn't really seem to follow along....


The Olsons getting to meet Woody!


What a joke! The Olsons don't have cable TV... we don't even really know who Handy Manny is! OK, well, I guess we did see him in the Disney Playhouse live show.


The obligatory "O" family picture!

Daddy-Daughter Disneyland Date!

California Adventure's "Golden Gate Bridge" behind us


My princess wasn't really sure about the Jungle Cruise. =) Apparently, neither was the woman in the background.


Amy saw this pic and called Kaylin "Princess Ragamuffin." I guess that's my fault though... when Daddy and daughter leave the house at 7:30 in the morning for a quick 3 hour Disney adventure... why would Daddy do the princess' hair all fancy?

Congrats Jason & Barbara!

Back on 8-8-08, we enjoyed yet another wedding! Jason and Barbara, two of the young adults that are active in the ministry Amy and I serve at our church, got married and Kaylin got to be the flower girl. I had the privilege of welcoming everyone and opening in prayer during the ceremony. CONGRATS Barbara & Jason... we wish you God's best throughout your marriage and we look forward to sharing in more fun times together!

Flower Girl Kaylin

The flutist married the bass player!

Congrats Holly & Andrew!

While we were in Santa Cruz, we had the privilege of witnessing Holly & Andrew's wedding! What a joy... we are so happy for them! Big congrats to you both... may God bless you richly as you begin the adventure of married life!

Throwback Fun!

Just for fun...


Carson & Kaylin (summer 2004)


Carson & Kaylin (summer 2005)

Fans in Enemy Territory!

Giants @ Dodgers, July 29, 2008

Our church got 50 group tickets for this Dodger game and we got to go to dinner and the game with our friends, Matt & Mishawn. Matt & I are both San Francisco Giants fans and I think every true fan has to have this experience at least once:

• Go to a game where your team is the road team.
• Not only that but THE hated rival team.
• Wear your team's colors/gear anyway
  

Matt & I

Then, after the game... walk out of the stadium while drunken Dodger fans try their best (weak efforts) to insult you. It was a very interesting experience to say the least! =) Even though I would have preferred the Giants win the game, maybe it was better that they lost. Who knows what the Dodger fans would have been like if the Dodger had lost.

Amy & Mishawn enjoying the ga... I mean the chatting.

Cousin Sleepover!

For a recent family birthday party, all the girl cousins came wearing their matching dresses that Amy made! Then, after the party, Amy realized it would be a fun opportunity for the older 3 to have a spur-of-the-moment slumber party... so they did!

Clara, Kaylin, Jenna & Laura

Kaylin, Clara & Jenna

3 cousins sleeping in the rec room together!

Lunch at Del Taco after church!

Walnut Creek & San Francisco

After our trip to Santa Cruz, we spent a couple nights with Jaron and Jenni in San Jose. Thanks J & J for hosting us once again!

One of those days, we drove up to Walnut Creek to visit Chris & Kirsten at their new apartment.

The kids loved visiting and playing with Chris, Kirsten & Johann

Kirsten, Amy and all 3 kids spent a couple hours hanging out over lunch time while Chris & I took BART into the City. When Chris & I were in college at UOP, Sean Curtis was the college pastor at the church we went to. He and his family are in the early stages of planting a church in San Francisco... it was great to meet him for lunch and catch up on life!

Chris, Sean & I

Santa Cruz!

We got to spend the first few days of August up in Santa Cruz! On Friday, we had a beach reunion day with many of our Santa Cruz (or former Santa Cruz) area friends... it was a blast to play in the ocean, play in the sand with the kids, and hang out with old friends! Special thanks to the Hughes' family for sharing their house with us for a few days! I didn't get pictures of everyone that we got to see... but here are some pics to give you the idea...



On Sunday, we had the pleasure of attending Holly & Andrew's wedding! We've known Holly since our camp days and she was a bridesmaid in our wedding. The wedding was our first chance to meet Andrew but we know he's great because Holly loves him! =) What a great day... we're so happy for them... and we pray that the Lord will bless them richly as they begin married life together!

God is Faithful!

Greetings from the Olson family!

If you read this blog regularly, then you know how thankful we are for God's provision for our needs! Hopefully, you've gotten glimpses of that thankfulness in previous posts about God's provision of my ministry role at church, our great home, and my on-going opportunities to study His Word in seminary. Well, as of this month, it has been exactly one year since we begin raising support for our ministry to Young Adults @ GHFC... and we have seen that where God leads, He provides!

Thank You!
Many of you have allowed God to use your prayers and generous giving to provide for our needs during this ministry & seminary season of life! We want to express our sincere thanks to you!

Those of you who are currently supporting us and live in the LA/Orange County region should have already received an invitation to join us at our home for dessert! We'll be serving dessert and sharing what God has done and is doing in our ministry to young adults at GHFC.

WHAT: Thank-You Dessert
DAY: Saturday, August 23
TIME: 7:00 p.m.
NOTE: childcare will be provided
Call or email Derek if you need our address & directions. Not sure how to contact me? Just leave a comment below and I'll get back to you! =)


Current Fund-Raising Status:
We are excited to report that the Lord has continued to provide for our needs in 2008 and now, in looking ahead to 2009, we are prayerfully seeking additional financial support.

Interested in coming to our house for dessert? Want to learn more about how to support our ministry through prayer and/or giving? Please just let us know! Feel free to email or call us... or leave a comment below and I'll get back to you.

We've enjoyed hosting Sunday evening gathering in our home this summer... here are some of the great people who have been participating!

Gramma Darlene's Visit!

My mom came to visit for a few days in late July. As usual, we all enjoyed having Gramma Darlene stay with us! She was here for a swimming playgroup on Thursday and got to see Kaylin and TJ practicing all they have been learning in swim lessons. Mom and I enjoyed a catch-up chat over a snack at Panera on Friday. Then, that evening, we all went to our church's first annual art festival which was very cool! Thanks mom/gramma for coming to visit... we love you!

While mom was here, we had my great aunt Lois and her husband Sam over for lunch... it was great to see them!

Kaylin and "Big Baby"

A couple of weeks ago, I went into the kid's room to check on them before Amy and I went to bed and this is what I found...

Somehow, Kaylin's "Big Baby" had ended up "sleeping" on top of her!