News From Dallas

Taking a break from the pictures...you'll get Part 2 of the pictures posted yesterday at another time. I just wanted to let you all know about Joel.

As you all know, today was the big day for his check ride. It began at 9 this morning. I just got off the phone with him (it's 1pm right now). HE PASSED HIS ORAL EXAM!! Woohoo!!!! He would normally take the flight part of his exam now, but the weather isn't cooperating. It's been pretty cloudy and stormy around Texas/Louisiana these days. God is SO in the details of all of this. Let me give you some examples of just what I mean:

1. Joel wasn't super prepared to do the flight part of his exam. He had practiced his maneuvers several times, but didn't feel completely confident about them yet. Now he can practice some more.

2. Usually if the people who are doing the testing don't think they will get to do the whole thing...the oral and flight portions...they won't do any of it. This morning the tester knew that the weather looked bad, but decided to go ahead and do the oral part anyway. It's so wonderful to have at least this portion of the check ride over. Now he can just focus on his flight maneuvers.

3. Joel had 60 days to get this check ride done following his time in Dallas at the flight instructor training. Since he has now taken and passed at least the oral portion, he now has another full 60 days to take the flight portion.

We are so thankful that he has completed this. Thank you all for your prayers. And, congratulations Joel!!