Tuesday, November 11th

Veterans Day... thought I'd post a photo of my dad (Frank William Kynast) in uniform; he was drafted and served two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War... His father (Gustaf Adolf Kynast) emigrated to the U.S. after serving in the German Navy during World War One!

Monday, November 10th

Today was the first day of off-season weight training for Tim (Coach Hughes told all the soccer players they're to gain ten pounds of muscle before next season)... wish I had a picture to share with you (maybe tomorrow); he says it was a "good start" and that he feels it mostly in the arms and chest.
Kara called this evening all excited about last weekend's retreat in Fort Walton Beach, saying the Spirit was at work changing lives and that several of the sophomores she works with were baptized in the Gulf of Mexico!

Sunday, November 9th

This has definitely been the prettiest week of the year (in these mountains), but as you can see from this picture (taken this afternoon from our driveway), fall is earning its name, and the deciduous trees will soon be bare.
I was privileged to teach this morning's Bible lesson on "Connecting in Community"; I started by telling our class that one of the reasons Lana was so excited about going to Heaven (7 months ago today) was the sweetness of the fellowship we have experienced in the three communities of faith we've been part of in Gainesville, Managua and Asheville.

Saturday, November 8th

I got to help set up this display for Operation Christmas Child at Biltmore Baptist Church this morning. Pictured are Jerry and Angela Allen who volunteer tirelessly throughout the year in support of Samaritan's Purse. Lana and I witnessed first-hand just how effective the ministry is on the receiving end during our years in Nicaragua!

If they look a little sleepy, it's because this morning was the first of the 6:30 a.m. pre-season workouts for the baseball team in preparation for the defense of its state championship. Tim and I are still having withdrawal symptoms from the soccer season, so we've signed up to play on an indoor rec team together on Friday nights beginning next week (which is motivating me to do a little conditioning of my own... on the trails ;-)

Thursday, November 6th

My brother, Steve, turns 50 today... funny how that doesn't seem so old anymore... Here he is last summer pictured with his wife (Kim) and the youngest of their four girls (Jordan & Caitlyn), ready to take off in a small plane and trust the contents of their backpacks to get them back to earth safely...
Kim apparently opted to participate vicariously.

Wednesday, November 5th

Padam and Probina Subedi (missionaries in Nepal, pictured on either side of Jordan Linkston, one of our seniors) led our upper school chapel today. Her maiden name is Heather Swensen; her brother is a former student of ours.
I love the fact that our teachers, parents and students are so involved in missions all over the world. Just in the last year I can think of those from our ACA family who have gone on international mission trips to China, India, Australia, Ukraine, Iraq, Malawi, Ethiopia, South Africa, Kenya, Poland, England, Bolivia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Brazil and Andros Island (Bahamas)!