I really like Susan Dykshoorn’s latest blog post. She did a great job of capturing what seems like an amazing summer break in an acrostic poem, and if you haven’t read it yet, do! You’ll get a very clear idea of the blessing of summer, and you’ll also realize how quickly I have jumped on the bandwagon of summarizing two months in short form. You may think I am a very unoriginal copycat, except that I will be using the framework of numbers…Here goes!

ONE huge hornet nest found in the cherry tree that I killed while clothed, hooded, gloved, and armed with 8m spray. Look up the bald-faced hornet to see how scared I was. The nest was buzzing!
TWO campgrounds that we (my wife and four daughters) stayed at with friends. Also the number of weeks that we spent at both Lake Chelan and Pearrygin Lake in Washington State.
THREE books that I managed to read. The Maze Runner by James Dashner was a page-turner, The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt was hilarious (especially the peach crayon…), and Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis provided some much-needed reminders (truth and grace).

seth-numbersFOUR appliances (hood microwave, dishwasher, washing machine, built-in vacuum) that needed replacement in our new home—sigh.
FIVE paint jobs (3 trims, one dog groomers, and one full house—Minister of Education Peter Fassbender’s neighbor!) that I was privileged to do with a friend and which helped pay for the four appliances!
SIX weeks of the different roles of summer (involved dad, cheerful pool boy, chief barbeque or flame control guy, sometimes patient tent trailer set-up man, rookie car maintenance person, and sunshine soaker).
SEVEN activities that need to happen before the first day of school! (Writing newsletter, planning curriculum, completing schedules, decorating classroom, eating pancake breakfast with all ACS staff, moving school furniture, and spending as much time outside as possible).

That’s roughly it, but here are some other significant numbers this year:
SIXTEEN years my lovely wife (an ACS grad) and I have been married!
EIGHTEEN years that I have been able to follow God’s call to work as a teacher.
Finally, here is the mystery number: TWENTY-THREE. Any guesses about its significance? I’d love to hear your thoughts and will share the answer soon! Hope you had a great summer!