Time Marches On

Well to say it's been awhile since the last post is an understatement at best. Our last post was three and a half years ago. Honestly, it wasn't a conscious decision but life took a turn around that time. I wouldn't say we even knew it at the time but looking back we can see it. The last few years have been an intense time of God chiseling away at us and refining us. It's certainly been a trying time but somehow God proves His faithfulness time after time. We have grown so much and I'm sure changed in ways we will not realize for quite some time. I pray that we reflect the Father more now than ever before. As I write this, it is May 14th and there is snow on the ground outside. Isn't this supposed to be spring time?!? Just as I feel that this time of winter should be over, and the warmth of spring should be here; it's not. But the end is in sight and God has given us hope. Life is simple and life is good. We are just finishing our school year and it has been a great one! We were able to be a part of a "non-official" Classical Conversations homeschool co-op and the group was such a blessing to us. The kids looked forward to it each week and so did I. At the end of the year we had a Geography Fair and BBQ. Each family chose a country in Europe to focus on for their project. Our family chose Sweden. As you can see we even made the Olson version of the Viking helmets. Not the most authentic but hey - we tried. Our little booth was even complete with candies that were sent to us by our sweet new friends from Sweden. I have to say that the general consensus was that Americans are much better at making sugary treats that rot your teeth.

We just celebrated TJ's 6th birthday. What?!?! How did that happen? I have to say that I love how easy to please this kiddo is. He is very into Alvin and the Chipmunks at the moment so the day before Sydney and I printed out some coloring pages of the good ole rodents, taped all 3 of them up with some balloons and when he woke up on his birthday you would have thought we took him to Disney Land. He ran around the house yelling "I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!" What a wonderful little guy he is becoming. He loves to laugh and make others laugh. We are so thankful for him.

Sydney is gearing up for her 8th birthday and if you are around her for more than 5 minutes you will surely hear all about her birthday plans. We went on a hike last weekend - a 5 mile hike and Sydney talked the ENTIRE time about different ideas she has to celebrate her big day. Oy vey! She is wonderful. She is so social and truly thrives on being around people. She loves to read - as in I have to discipline her by taking away her books. She reads ALL THE TIME! I am so grateful for this about her. She is a wonderful young lady with a beautiful spirit and we so look forward to watching her grow up. Tom is doing great! The church has grown so much since we came here and it is encouraging to see. He reminds me so much of my dad in his understanding of the Scriptures. I am always amazed at how much knowledge he can pull out of that mind of his. The whole falling asleep at night to theology books thing must be working. He is an amazing husband and father and I am so blessed!!! God has put on his heart the desire to write a book about understanding the Bible so be praying as we move forward with this. I am pretty much consumed with homeschooling the kids. I love it and hopefully they do too! I love my role as wife and mom! Now that we've got all of that out of the way, be watching for regular posts. Regular for us anyway.....

SUMMER WRAP UP

So what can you say about summer concluding but…BUMMER! Here were some of the last highlights for the Olson family.

Sydney is now a Soccer Stud Muffin. She is able to dribble and score goals. She can even stand on one foot with the other on the ball. TJ has also taken to soccer; he is great at stacking cones and moving them. Yes, we know they are both very impressive.

















Off to California for a well needed rest. Not much rest with a 4 and 2 year old on the road for two weeks but we did keep our sanity. First stop Flagstaff Arizona where the pool was a hit and golf a little perplexing.

Next stop Disneyland. Two days of bliss. This trip was for Tom…really, the kids were just allowed to join in the fun. The Matterhorn was a big hit. Both kids loved it. TJ said in his stoic manner “that was fun”.

























Here’s a shot of the family and Uncle Bob. Bob isn’t the one in blue pants. Is Sydney is taking the picture?



























Eating was fun and so were the tea cups. Disney is fun even when you can’t go on all the rides. Sydney just wanted that sword so bad.
Next off to Arrowhead to see Wax: Missing great friends is the hardest part about living in Pagosa Springs.


















Next off for five nights at Dana Point; beach, sun, surf, and pool. The pictures speak for themselves.
Aunt Kirsten stopped by to help keep the kids in line.

Then it was back home and off to school. Why does summer have to end so quickly?

Church is doing great. Tom just finished his series on Daniel and now is working through the Fruit of the Spirit. Small groups are starting and Laura is teaching preschool and homeschooling. Be praying as Tom is also starting up the youth group each Sunday night. It is looking great and kids are starting to bring their friends.


Here comes fall…..

One Wildly Packed Summer

Summer...where has it gone? It seems like yesterday that it started and when sanity was still in our home. I look back and I am surpised at everything that has taken place. The town of Pagosa comes alive and people seem to flock to our little oasis in the Rockies. We started summer good with hiking and smores and moved on to Sydney's 4th birthday. Then off to Thomas the Train on Silverton Railroad. Then came July 4th with two grandmothers under the same roof. Nana took off on Tom's ATV and Grandma went to the ER...Tom is now in therapy, please pray. After the moms left town, Bob and Kirsten (Tom's sister and Brother-in-law) came to town. Why...for the most impo rtant day of the year of course. Tom's 40th birthday. There were campfires, river fun, and fishing. Tom ushered in his 40th big day with dignity. He learned that 40 was the new 30 so he's still able to play on the trampoline. As we settle in for the remainder of summer, life looks good. Sydney did great in swimming, the kids are enjoying the finer things in life, and the animals keep coming by.















Check out Laura and the kids on the Trampoline. When you don't have a pool you have to make due...and no we do not live in a trailer park, it's Pagosa Springs.


Ministry
Church is wonderful and growing. We are starting up a new discipleship studies and poeple are excited. The church just started putting Tom's sermons on the website, www.pagosabiblechurch.com, if you're looking to hear one great preacher. Please pray as the fall season begins at church. We are beginning new outreach programs to the community and new studies geared towards equipping believers in foundational doctrine so they know why they believe what they believe.

Enjoy the end of your summer!

Life is Unfolding Great

What do you do when life is great? We just move forward by faith and watch the craziness, fun, issues, and life unfold. And unfold it does.

Meet Bruiser, AKA TJ the Nose
TJ/Bruiser broke his nose last week by jumping on the bed. We read him the book "5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed" but the boy is stubborn and he paid...okay we paid, Dr. bills and screams. But it set fine and he's starting to look like his handsome self again.

He then turned 2 and ate Laura's Thomas the Train cake before any good pictures were taken. Note the face is missing and part of a wheel. He makes us so proud.

Shining Sydney
Sydney didn't want to be out done, so she decided to shine. She completed her first book at Awana and her first year of preschool. Here is Syd and her graduations.


Tom took his first Sunday off in 11 months and we went to Denver. The highlights were ice cream at Nana's house, Santa's Workshop, chain restaurants and shopping. Here's Laura and the kids enjoying ice cream.

Santa's Workshop
Sydney had fun showing TJ the ropes on all the rides. The boy did great but Tom Sr. was the one who sat out most. Poor daddy had a tummy ache.
Ministry
Church is fun and God is moving. Jose came to know the Lord a few weeks back after dinner. We also had another friend, John, come to Christ this month. It was fun to see after each conversion they came out and said "I just asked Jesus into my heart." They were giddy. God is good! Here's Jose after with his new baby boy.
We also had a great fellowship with families at our home, twenty showed up for dessert and smores by the camp fire. New families are coming out of the wood work here. Even though Pagosa Springs has shrank considerably the church has quadrupled.
Life is unfolding great even with broken noses, herds of deer wondering through our yard, bear, hiking to waterfalls, and watching God move. I guess it's okay to say life is great when you're seeking after His plan. Blessings to you this spring.

Silver Falls

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