Thursday, September 20, 2007

Applesauce and other exciting things.....

Well, let's just say that the kids were more than just a little excited when they came home from school and found out how I spent my day. Being the lucky gal I am, I have a friend as good as Jenny, who invited me over to her place and picked up a bushel of apples for me to make a solid stash of applesauce out of. Don't get me wrong...I'm sure my son could consume my day's worth of labor in two weeks...easily.

In other news, our family enjoyed the Nappanee Apple Fest last weekend. The kid's favorite part by far was definitely the "Grandpa Cratchet" puppet show. Madeline sat on the front row with Timothy observing from only a distance. Both laughed until their sides hurt though!

We are also the lucky residents of a home that sits on prime realty the weekend of the Apple Fest. The Apple Fest Parade (and all the candy that comes with it) goes right by our place, so we had some friends over and the kids lined up to watch the horses, fire engines, politicians, marching bands, and, oh, did I mention the candy? There was a lot of candy....but a week is a long time to have passed and much of our candy collection is going out with tomorrow's garbage. (That's not mean...they'll never miss it!)


The past couple of weeks have been as crazy as usual here in the Renfrow household. In addition to my trip to Indianapolis, we've been busy with classes, I started volunteering at the Sister Maura Brannick Health Center, and in addition to Mike's master's classes, he's begun teaching a course for the university. The kids continue to do well in spite of everything that comes our way. Timothy has been doing great with the many transitions that now come in a typical day (Nappanee Elementary has been such a blessing!), and Madeline is such a super big sister; she is always looking out for him. I'm so proud of both of them!

Here are a few older pictures. The first is of the kids (and Cora) checking out the new washing machine. I love it! The rest were taken by "photographer extraordinaire," Madeline, a couple Sundays ago when Mindy and Cora came to visit our church.


One last piece of news for those who are following our adventures with medical school...I have an interview with the University of Toledo's College of Medicine on Thursday October 4th. I should be hearing from IU School of Medicine by mid-October, and I still have several schools that I have yet to hear from, so your continued prayers are very much appreciated. I know that I have been followed through this whole journey by such a band of faithful prayer warriors, and I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am to know this. Through my whole IU interview (much like the day of the MCAT) I was never bothered by nerves. It is a very liberating thing to be aware of the fact that the Lord has already laid out my future, and it is not dependent upon my own abilities to get me there! Thanks so much for the prayers that continue to sustain our whole family as we trod along on this sometimes tedious, but always worthwhile journey!
Happy and blessed,
shannon

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Big Thanks!

Well, this will be brief because I am exhausted, but I just wanted to post a quick update and huge thank you! For those of you who may not have known, I had my first medical school interview today with Indiana University School of Medicine. I am so grateful for the many many people who have let me know they would be praying for me. I had such a wonderful day! I felt such a peace through the whole process, and especially during the interview...which is saying a lot! The doctor who interviewed me was so kind and was very positive and encouraging about my interview. Second, I have to say thanks to Mom Renfrow who came to good ol' Nappanee to keep an eye on the kids for me while I was out of town. I am so grateful for all of the support our family has received as we take on this adventure. I know we could not do it without all of you...God has been so faithful in providing for us through those who love us.

That's all for tonight; I'm worn out. Thanks for the love and prayers =)

-shannon