Mama Kath and I are very thankful.
I thought you might like to see our family, so I posted the picture above that was taken just a few weeks ago, in South Carolina. We missed our PIU Family, but it was great to spend time with our stateside family. Our older son, Chad, lives about five hours South of our Virginia home in Rock Hill South Carolina. Our son from Texas, his family, our grandson from Louisiana, and our granddaughter and her husband from Utah all came to Chad's house for Christmas. Our #2 granddaughter, Maddie, even invited her fiance' over so we could meet him. We spent eight days in South Carolina. Since Chad and Tanisha's house was so full, we slept, except for Christmas Eve, at Kathy's sister's house about thirty minutes away, So we got to visit with that part of the family as well. While we were in Virginia, before the trip to South Carolina we were able to meet Kathy's brother and his wife, for a leisurely meal. We really enjoyed connecting with family.
In the picture above, left to right: Chad &Tanisha, Harrison & Carrington Haley, Kendal (Kala's friend), Christopher (the drummer from Louisiana, Kira (Texas), you know the next two, Silas (Texas), Madeline (the engaged one), Nancy & Chris. In front is Ava and four-legged Lucy.
Our travels all went well. We enjoyed attending our home church, though, like everywhere, many aren't able to attend. We appreciated the opportunity to rest.
THANK YOU, LORD.
Even though we have been in quarantine since we got back, we are thankful to be back home on Guam. Even though we haven't seen most of you, it is comforting to be near.
Thank you, Lord. 
Most of you have no way of knowing, but a major project is taking place on campus. A contractor, Colordyn of Guam is doing repair and recoating the entire roof on the classroom/office/Men's dorm building. Please help us let others know about this project. It is being paid for with funds from "Dr. Dave Owen Memorial Fund (DDOMF).
As is true for many things, COVID-19 has interfered with our completing this fundraising campaign. In spite of the pandemic, enough money had come into this fund to finance this key project. In case you don't remember or hadn't noticed, let me remind you that this roof project is part of a series of improvements that have already taken place, and others that, by God's grace, will take place.
- Some of you will remember that, under the direction of Victor Billy, students installed new trim (the brown boards you see right below the metal roof) around most of the building.
- Over the past four years, Under the direction of operation manager, Mama Cel, and Student Development VP, Alex, we have replaced or repaired numerous aircon units.
- Financed through USA grants, we upgraded appliances and furniture in the Men's dorm (Women's dorm also).
- Not-a-master plumber, HM, with lots of help from students and others, installed new toilets in several bathrooms.
 - He-is-a-master locksmith, Phil, installed a new door in the Men's Dorm (and Women's). He installed new locks on virtually all doors to the outside and re-keyed many others. This enabled serious upgrades to all the other front-side doors. This included...
- Painting all the front-side doors, Mama Kath.
- Repairing the roof allows us to proceed to some other interior projects. The problem at this point, is we are basically spending all the money currently in the DDOMF on the roof project. Please encourage church leaders. alumni, and others to join in this project that PIU students began.
- As you see on the blog describing this project. Part of the goal of DDOMF is to name this born-again building, the "Ezra 7:10 Building" in honor of past President and Mama Joyce's late husband, Dr. Owen.
Thank you, Lord, that we are able to move ahead with this project that PIU students kicked off. Thank you, students.
 Kathy and I have been home-bound since we arrived back. I really missed not being able to get out and see all the hard work going on yesterday--projects to prepare for the start of the Spring Semester, week.
Yesterday was a workday, and from what I heard, and continue to hear, a lot of work was done.
I'm also aware that since the last time I walked around campus, more than a month ago, a lot of work has been done to keep things up. Thanks,
Thank you, students, and other volunteers. (We miss you Victor Billy.)
Perhaps, the biggest thanks of the day:
In answer to many prayers, we will be starting our Spring classes in the classroom, in person.
Perhaps you are among those who had had enough of online classes and had decided not to return this semester. The online-only restriction is no more. I encourage you to reconsider. Don't delay.
Yes, we have to wear masks and respect other regulations, but we get to be together.
Please join in praise.
THANK YOU, LORD, for PCOR2 status that begins tomorrow and the opportunity to have in-person classes.
As I write this, my thanksgiving comes from both sides of the world and beyond. Above all the reasons for thanks I offer above is thanks for what Paul called the "indescribable (precious beyond telling) gift." (2 Cor. 9:15)
I am reminded that the best thanksgiving is not given in words, spoken or written, but in actions, deeds of kindness, worship, dedication, and sacrifice. As we begin this semester we best show our THANKS by using all that the Lord has graciously given us to His glory.
Thanks for reading,
The Prez |
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