Celebrate!
Brynne received her college acceptance into
Texas A&M University!!!
This is a very competitive program and she has worked
very hard to secure her placement.
We are so happy, but also will miss her so much!
You can relate, right?

Next weekend, Lacey and Shadya will be
attending a conference at Texas A&M for
high school students who are interested in studying
engineering after high school. They will spend 24 + hours
on the university campus, partnered with a current
engineering student.
The schedule looks very busy and fun!
What a great opportunity to for Shadya to sample
American university life!

Watch for more photos!

Last night we had a Students Standing Strong meeting at the school.
SSS is a Christian student club that meets in our school district.
Last night the meeting was at Shadya's high school.
She had dinner with friends and then a band played for about 30 minutes.
After that they had some speakers that talked about what the Bible has to say
about caring for the poor, oppressed, widows etc.
It can be very overwhelming, but if we commit to make
the difference in one life we have truly made a difference.
SSS seeks to encourage Christian kids to live their lives in a manner
that is pleasing to God on and off their school campus.
It is an awesome club!

Last Saturday night we went to a concert!
It was a lot of fun and a nice group of kids.
Chris Tomlin is a Christian singer who is very popular in the USA.
Shadya seemed to really enjoy it!

It has been nearly two weeks since we have posted a photo!
I am so sorry!
Shadya is doing so well and just feels like a Mattson to us!
We have stayed busy and I want to show you some of the things
Shadya has been able to see or do.
Lacey swims for the high school and also a club team.
Shadya has not been able to go to any of Lacey's meets due to school or
her own activities. This was the first meet Shadya could go to.
It is a lot of sitting and waiting for Lacey to swim, but Shadya was very patient!

Shadya had a soccer game today. It was
a make-up game from yesterday when we had
a bad storm come through our town.
She plays her "home" soccer games at the
school (American) football field.
It is very large with stands on both
sides of the field.
Shadya thinks everything is big in Texas.

Shadya was SO HAPPY to come home from
her soccer game Friday night and find a
PACKAGE from Columbia waiting for her!!

Shadya has had a lot of fun things to do this weekend.
Yesterday she played in her first soccer game for the school team.
Last night she went to see the school musical with Brynne and Lacey.
Today she went to a non-denominational Spanish church service.
Tonight she is at a Super Bowl (football) party with Brynne
and Lacey's Bible study friends.