Masters Capstone & Graduation

Aleck has been working very hard on finishing the first draft of the website, workbook and pdf for the capstone project of his Masters in Christian Formation and Discipleship (creativeimagebearers.com). His cohort are set to graduate mid November, so it has been a bit of a race against the clock to finish up everything in time for graduation. The biggest challenge has been writing the APA paper that is to accompany his project as writing papers is not his strength, but progress is being made and the end is in sight.

He had some really great encouragement earlier this week - Micah’s teacher had been talking about covenants when they were doing religion in school, and Micah very ably contributed to the discussion, and taking it further, discussing how heaven and earth collide. The teacher was very impressed and mentioned it to me. I then explained about Aleck’s Masters project and that we have been going through the workbook with the kids for 10-15 mins a day after dinner. She was so impressed she wanted to know if it was available/suitable for children. She plans to check it out.

If you would like to know more about his capstone project, please take look at these two presentations:

How to use Imagebearers Online Course:

https://spark.adobe.com/page/pswJkYYQ4xWqU/

An Introduction to creativeimagebearers.com

https://spark.adobe.com/page/kczrNPr3GkrtJ/

If you would like to download the workbook, it is free and can be downloaded here:

iBook (mac, ipad or iphone)

https://goo.gl/2gG8j6

PDF (all other digital devices)

goo.gl/C2K61c

Family

This has been / is quite a significant year for all of us:

- Aleck will be finishing his Masters - a huge personal achievement/milestone, and a time of incredible growth and healing, especially in the area of academics.

- Mya is choosing her GCSE subjects in March, and the decision will be partly made on the results of her winter exams. These subjects she will have to study for the next 2 years. The electives she would like to do are Computers, Art and Technology as she is leaning towards being a graphic designer. She loves drawing and is developing her artistic skills dramatically, especially in the anime art style. She has made some good friends at school and is enjoying getting involved in different things at school and in our community (Girls Brigade and Hip Hop).

- Micah is in his last year of primary school. This is taking some adjustment for him - knowing he will be leaving his classmates of 6 years. The unknown of high school sometimes makes him feel a little overwhelmed but on the whole he enjoys school. He has had some good reports from his teacher and she really enjoys interacting with him and having discussions with him about Christianity. His passion continues to be football.

- Donna-Rae - right now I feel like I am a tree trunk - supporting all the branches that are my family and trying to keep them all rooted amidst the turbulence of their lives. Sometimes I feel a bit overwhelmed and not sure how to help them. But God is faithful, and we will get through it and be stronger for it. I am learning to trust God with them as well as trust that He will show me/give me the grace and wisdom I need to help them. Work continues to go well. I am enjoying the church coffee shop, which gives me a ‘people-contact’  outlet and working with the UofN degree students. I am currently working on graduating about 40 students next month, in the colleges of Counselling & Health Care and Christian Ministries.

Aleck’s Travel Schedule

14 - 20 October:            
Finland, teaching on a couples Discipleship Training School

28 October - 3 November:    
Mexico, teaching on a Photography Discipleship Training School

4-10 November:             
Geneva, Switzerland, teaching on a Discipleship Training School

11-15 November:             
 Burtigny, Switzerland, Masters Graduation

25 November - 1 December:     
Germany, teaching on the School of Communication Foundations

9-13 December:            
Harpenden, England, teaching on the School of Communication Foundations

Prayer Points

- Finances for Israel - need £1200 for food/accommodation. We have already raised the money to pay for our airfares.

- Right car and timing to purchase it or for current car to last another year

- Micah as he prepares emotionally and mentally for high school

- Mya as she chooses subjects and prepares emotionally and mentally for the 2 year GCSE stint

- Aleck as he writes up his academic paper for his capstone, that he would be able to finish well and that God would completely redeem his educational experience as he finishes and graduates with his Masters in Christian Formation and Discipleship in November.

- Aleck for travel mercies and grace as he takes on a lot of travelling over the next couple of months.

- Donna-Rae as I support and facilitate the family and UofN graduates to accomplish all that is in their hearts to do and that in the process I would cleave to God and find my strength in Him.

Thank you for all your prayers and support, and interest in what we are doing. We are blessed and encouraged that you are on this journey with us. We couldn’t do it without you. May God bless you richly in all that you do and may you discover new truths about God and his love for you and the world around you as you step out in obedience to Him.

Blessings

Aleck, Donna-Rae, Mya Shae & Micah