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Monday, 02 June 2008

Meredith is a GRADUATE!

On Friday Meredith graduated 6th in her class and gave a speech in front of 1500 people as class president. She did a great job - very poised - lots of compliments after the program. We are very proud of her.
Garden dreams

We expanded the garden by 400%
Added some structures for pole beans and tomatoes:

And new this year is the upside down tomato planter - parked in the driveway so that the heat from the blacktop aids in the ripening process which is always a challenge in late august early september:
Spring Break in Newport, RI

Because we missed our flight to Florida, we had the consolation of spending a three-day spring break in Beautiful Newport, RI. Don't ask! - It's a long and painful story and all Mark's fault for misreading the flight itinerary. We salvaged a horrible dissapointment though as Mark played "Cabana Boy" for Meredith and Tina - "leave your shirt on please!"

Sunday, 16 December 2007

Merry Christmas from Overmyers

We are thrilled to be spending this Christmas with our family in snowy New Hampshire. It's been a year of changes for us with Melissa starting her freshman year at Gordon College in Massachusettes. She is studying Early childhood development and working for a family nearby as a nanny. Her opportunities for growth abound and we are proud to watch her face each challenge.
Mark and Meredith just returned from a college visit to Trinity Western Univ near Vancouver, BC CANADA. It looks like a real good fit and it may be that we have completed the difficult selection process. She would like to study some combination of linguistics and international studies. The opportunities for this area of study at this excellent CHristian Liberal arts college are unparalleled in North America. While it will be hard to face the reality of Meredith going so far away, Mark points out that "When you find a pair of shoes that fit perfectly, you will pay and price and drive any distance to purchase them." The fit of this school feels that good.
Tina faces each day with resolve to confront the new challenges at a new school with a new program for advanced learners which she oversees. She is a gifted educator and her talents are being well-utilized. She teaches the gifted and talented 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders at Hookset Memorial School - a 30 minute drive from our hom.
Mark puts on lots of miles nurturing relationships with young and emerging leaders of a hopeful church planting movement. The concept of church as an organism versus church as an organization is his biggest discovery since moving here and has been a real wake up call for his ministry. Thankfully, there are many partners joining the effort that is based primarily in relationships and not programs.
We sincerely hope that you will enjoy a safe and satisfying holiday season with the ones you love.
THE OVERMYERS
trophy buck

After thanksgiving, I flew to Indiana for 4 days of hunting with my posse. I got off the plane at Midway and took the train to downtown Chicago. Toting my baggage and shotgun case through downtown was a real trip as I made my way to the Southshore station. At the Portage stop, I was met by my good friend and hunting mentor, Roger. There was only enough time to unpack and take a power nap before gearing up for the first hunt that afternoon. It was chilly and in the low 30's. I took my spot in the platform stand and proceeded to do my best to keep warm. Within 30 minutes I spotted a sizeable deer about 40 yards to the East. A few seconds later I could see antlers and could tell that this was going to be my chance of a lifetime. After about 20 seconds of awareness of this awesome creature, I aimed at the only possible shooting lane and waited for the target to cross my path. Without time to second guess this arrangement, I squeezed the trigger hoping for the best but fearing for the worst.
About 50 yards away I found my trophy and could barely breathe for disbelief. He was beautiful and he was going on my wall. I was so satisfied with this deer that I decided to sell my shotgun in order to help pay for the taxidermy bill. My shotgun hunting days are gone as far as I'm concerned.
Pictured here with my trophy is my friend, mentor and hunting guide, Roger: