Need Christmas Updates

Please post your traveling plans – when you are on the road, when your flights are and if you have hotel arrangements or not.
Grandma A will be hanging out over here- in her parlor as she would say. We have one extra room upstairs and an air mattress in the basement plus a couple of cots. We also have a couch and plenty of floor space.  We will feed you, keep you warm, and give you lots of lovin.

Welcome to Josslyn: Our 4.1 Babe

Welcome Little One!!!

Quick Update from Wichita

Hello Family!

So quick update on the little one - after meeting with our OB we have an induction appointment scheduled for this coming Monday, December 5th. We'll be checking into the hospital at 7:15pm so hopefully we'll be greeting 4.1 no later than Tuesday, December 6th!

Your continued prayers for Ashley and the baby's health and all of our sure to be wonderful medical professionals and staff are always appreciated!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and naturally, we'll keep you posted as things progress!

All our Love,

Ashley, Jonathan & Baby!    

Room in JC

We have 2 rooms with plenty of floor space at our place! If you are ok with sleeping on an air mattress then anyone is welcome. We can also have the meal here if it's not to much to bring the food over.  Just let us know!!!

Set Date for Rivers Christmas

We have a change of date for the Rivers Christmas

As long as it works OK for everybody's schedule, 

it's OK for us to have it on December 26th.

Either way it's OK with us. We are not going anywhere, 

I just need to know about food and housing

December 26th? 4.1 Says Yes!

Wonderful updates and thankful all are well! 

Unless there are sizable objections, Ashley and I second and third Harrison's motion to hold our Rivers Family Christmas Celebration on Monday, December 26th. 

Also, thank you guys for including Landon and Christopher! Expanding family calls for expanded giving!

Any opposed or have work/schedule conflicts with the 26th?

Update from Minnesota

Hi all,

Sorry to be delinquent!

Life has settled down a bit since last month's trip to New York City for the premiere of my play, Sweet. I was blessed to have so many family members and friends on hand to celebrate with me. What an incredible experience!

Reviews for the show were very positive--except for the New York Times.
I guess it's true what they say, you can't win them all.

Since returning to St. Paul, I've been hard at work on three commissioned plays--one for the BFA actors at the University of Minnesota that will premiere in early December, one for the History Theatre (literally down the street from our apartment) that will be receive a staged reading in January and one for Ricochet Collective, a small theater company in New York City that will premiere next October.

I have also started to explore TV/Film writing opportunities. I now have an LA based TV agent who has been submitting my work. The hope is that I will be writing for television before the end of next year.

Christopher is also doing well. He was recently promoted to Assistant Director of Development for Individual Giving at the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. He continues to solicit donors, but now has the added responsibility of working closely with the Board and the Governing Members. He is enjoying the new challenge.

We can't wait to meet 4.1 next month!
And 3.2 next June!
What an exciting year it has been!
And next year--wow--I almost can't stand it!

Lastly, has a decision been made about what day we're gathering for Christmas?
I believe that Lee and Q will be in Missouri the 24th and 25th...
Should we declare December 26th the official date for 2016's Rivers Family Christmas?

Christmas Wish List

Harrison:
Landmark Theatre Gift Card
https://www.landmarktheatres.com/giftcards
Lunds and Byerlys Gift Card
http://order.lundsandbyerlys.com/collections/gift-cards

Christopher (who I'd love to add to the gift exchange list in the future):
Magers & Quinn Booksellers Gift Certificate
https://secure.magersandquinn.com/index.php?main_page=buy_gift
Pazzaluna Gift Card
https://www.pazzaluna.com/store/holiday_gift_card_faq/

Love,
H & C

The long awaited Rivers 3.0 Update!!

Hello All,

As you all have noticed, Junction City Rivers don't give many updates.  Mostly because there is usually not much going on, just work, racing HOT WHEELS, and sleep.  But these last few months have been very busy, to include many changes for our little family.

Many of you know, Megan was in a car accident in July, and we had to replaced our "new" RAV4, with a "new" Highlander.  Although, it was very stressful, and Megan was certainly protected by God from any serious injury, finding the Toyota Highlander was a huge Blessing, and we thoroughly enjoy it!!!

Megan started working in the Junction City Middle School this new school year, and it has been a welcomed change.  She still serves at an Elementary School, but no longer has to go on Fort Riley every day which has been nice.

James continues to work in Clay Center, for the Postal Service.  He of course, is very good at his job as a front window clerk, and is impressively fast at sorting the mail.  His supervisors are happy with his work ethic, and he is the one they rely upon to get the job done right, and on time.  In February 2017, James will be eligible for a full-time position, so we are praying for an opening closer to home. Your prayers for this opportunity to open up for James, would be greatly appreciated.

Our sweet, ornery, energetic, smart, wonderful, Landon is growing, growing, growing.  He is the biggest tease you will find.  Has an incredible ability to repeat phrases and words in context making it extremely hard not to laugh when he is actually being very defiant.  He was SUPERMAN for Halloween, and he LOVED IT!!!  Mommy got the snickers, Daddy got the milk duds and M&Ms and Landon got suckers.  Only suckers.....hehehe  And only if he ate enough bites for dinner.  :)

One of two big changes for Rivers 3.0 is that we moved to a new place the first of October.  The situation in our apartment complex had gotten filled with DRAMA, illegal activity, and a hostile living space. It had become an unsafe environment for Landon, and very stressful for us as property managers.  So, after 5 years we said goodbye!  God blessed us with an immediate upgrade!!  We found a much larger place with features we have always wanted in a home, and a Landlord that cares for their properties. You know you have found the right place when you can negotiate the rent down, your child adjusts with no problems, and my late brother Ramsey, leaves us a Dime in the mailbox.

Less than a week of being in our new place, we found out we will be Blessed with Rivers 3.2, June!!!  

We are so excited for a new bundle of joy, and will actually have the space for them!  Megan struggled with constant nausea the first weeks of pregnancy and had a variety of cravings like pickles, chips and salsa, chinese food, and strawberry shakes!!  YUM YUM!!  Thankfully the nausea has significantly reduced in the last week, and she is starting to feel and act like her cheerful self again.

Things have started to settle down for us, but we are looking forward for the upcoming Holiday Season.  We hope to get more involved in Westview Community Church that we have been attending regularly for the last 5 months.  It has been a slow adjustment but we are really getting spiritually fed, and hope to be a part of the church family.

We can't wait to see many of you in the coming weeks!  And Megan is ready to compete with Q to hold that sweet 4.1 baby!!  ; )

Much Love, James, Megan, and Landon


Our Christmas Wish List:

James:
Gift cards to Target, Panera Bread and American Eagle

Megan:
Gift cards to Old Navy, Target, Vera Bradley, Dillons

Landon:
Hot Wheels
Legos
Disney movies
3T clothing

Christmas Wish Lists

Rivers 4.0's
Ashley- Money tied to a nail polish bottle or pedicure, Starbucks gift card, Gift certificates to the Warren Theater...we'll get there eventually...maybe..., A baby that sleeps

Jonathan- Gift card to Chipotle, Habitat for Humanity Store (http://www.thehabitatstore.org/), Amazon, Targer, Dillions.


Rivers 2.0's
Wish List: Southwest Airlines Gift Cards, Amazon Gift Cards

Rivers 1.0's
Harrison:
Landmark Theatre Gift Card
https://www.landmarktheatres.com/giftcards
Lunds and Byerlys Gift Card
http://order.lundsandbyerlys.com/collections/gift-cards

Christopher (who I'd love to add to the gift exchange list in the future):
Magers & Quinn Booksellers Gift Certificate
https://secure.magersandquinn.com/index.php?main_page=buy_gift
Pazzaluna Gift Card
https://www.pazzaluna.com/store/holiday_gift_card_faq/


Rivers 3.0's
James:
Gift cards to Target, Panera Bread and American Eagle

Megan:
Gift cards to Old Navy, Target, Vera Bradley, Dillons

Landon
Hot Wheels
Legos
Disney Movies
3T clothes

D.A.D. & MoM
gift cards to christianbook.com, gty.org, bodyfirst.com
chocolate, candles, gift cards to radinas, carmike theaters, & amazon.com

Houston Rivers Update

Hello from Houston!! The Rivers 2.0 Team is enjoying the last weeks of summer before we get grazed with a week of “real fall” and rocked by a potential icky and wet winter (according to the Famer’s Almanac). We are finally getting settled into our new place (it only took 5 months to unpack everything).

As most of you know in October, we traveled to New York City to support Harrison’s world premier of Sweet, which was phenomenal in so many ways. We are so proud of him and are looking forward to seeing more of his work. 

We hit up some other shows and museums ate all of the good food NYC has to offer.

We also were able to attend a friend’s wedding in New Brunswick, Canada and did a fun road trip from Boston to Maine to Moncton. It was gorgeous. Anyone want to go in on a summer house in Maine next year?

Rivers has been busy traveling. Since August he has journeyed to Boston, Dallas, MO/KAN, New York, Alaska, and DC. While is Alaska we met a pilot who took him up for a private two-hour tour and he was able to snap some National Geographic Worthy photos. Unfortunately, upon return home he had food poisoning, but has since recovered. Work-wise he was busy with trainings, panels and a team retreat. He also had some conferences and presentations. He has one more trip this fall to Philadelphia and Delaware, and then he will focus on closing out the fall semester. He has been really active in photography and has made some connections with other photographers. Just be prepared when we come home; there will be a lot of “Kodak moments”, so your patience is appreciated in advance as he gets the correct lighting and background set up. Lee is signed up for the Houston marathon early next year, so keep him in your thoughts for a good training season and no injuries.

Q has been busy conducting trainings and presentations. October was Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the City of Houston and the Mayor’s Office is preparing for the Super Bowl (which brings high incidents of trafficking). She traveled to Austin quite a bit to work on legislation for the upcoming session. She spends quite a bit of time at the church involved with the music & fine arts ministry and the college and young adult ministry. She was in a theatre showcase last month and has a dance performance at The Wortham Center this weekend. She has a few more trips coming up; a winery weekend with some friends and a historical tour of D.C. to see the African American Museum and some of her favorite sites. At the beginning of the year, Q set a goal to run four 5Ks before the year is over. Of course she waited until the last minute, but she has done two so far and has two more to go. Last week she broke her personal record and finished in 27:58 seconds. She is hoping to cut it down to 25 minutes.

We are probably going to attend a few Friendsgiving dinners here in Houston and then we will pack up and head home to see all of you lovely folks in December. We are looking forward to some much needed family time.

Wish List: Southwest Airlines Gift Cards, Amazon Gift Cards

Enjoy the rest of the year. Finish strong. Many hugs & much love.

Lee + Q

Updates from Wichita!

Hello Family!

We're just 5 short weeks away from our delivery date, but truly it is a plus or minus affair. Earlier this week we had a tour of Wesley's Birthcare Center (http://wesleymc.com/location/wesley-birthcare-center), where, pending no complications, we will be planning to welcome the little one. We also had a meeting with our OB and every one is progressing well and in healthy condition! Any new guesses on gender? Either way, we are 100% at the beginning of the end, so prayers are always welcome as we enter the final leg of the this first journey.

Ashley has wrapped up all of her long conference travels and is prepping the university for her temporary departure. It will be a miracle if they can function half as well without her.  We will be learning more about the implications of the new overtime rules for her position next week, but either way it should be a favorable change towards either a slightly higher salary or much higher salary. So certainly a welcome update! Only a handful of events remain.

Work for Jonathan has gone well, with many exciting projects on the horizon going into 2017. But before jumping too far ahead, he will be busy planning the Annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner in December and closing out the three remaining homes of 2016.

We have been active at the new church plant, Radiant Church which launched the first weekend of October. For those whom we have not updated, what is particularly unique about Radiant is that it is located within Towne West Mall (http://www.radiantchurchwichita.com/). It has been an exciting and new experience to be part of a Christ community in the marketplace, but wonderful to be able to share our faith in such a dynamic way. We are far from the only expecting couple, so it is also nice to be in the company of other experienced young families and those who are just a few months away from joining those ranks.

Also, we attended a wedding last weekend!

Finally, here's some information to hopefully help our folks in their Christmas shopping quest!

Ashley - Money tied to a nail polish bottle or pedicure, Starbucks gift card, Gift Certificates to the Warren Theater...we'll get there eventually... maybe..., A baby that sleeps

Jonathan - Gift card to Chipotle, Habitat for Humanity Store (http://www.thehabitatstore.org/), Amazon, Target, Dillons  

We love you all and hope you are all well!

Ashley, Jonathan & Baby

Christmas List- UPDATED

Just a reminder:

Names have been drawn by the D.A.D,

Grandma A- Wandean

Ashley- Q

Harrison- Jonathan

James- Lee

Lee- Grandma A

Jonathan- Megan

Q- Ashley

Wandean- James

Karl- Harrison

Megan- Karl

Landon- Christopher

Christopher- Landon

updatespeopleineedupdates

updatesupdatesupdates

Good for You!

National Black Theatre- On Stage Now

1st Baby Shower for 4.1

Sweet shower for 4.1 Rivers

HAPPYHAPPYHAPPYBDAY#4

HAPPYHAPPYHAPPYBDAY#4

HAPPYHAPPYHAPPYBDAY#4
HAPPYHAPPYHAPPYBDAY#4
HAPPYHAPPYHAPPYBDAY#4

HAPPYHAPPYHAPPYBDAYSWEETSIS

Today is Rena's BDay

HAPPYHAPPYHAPPYBDAYSWEETSIS

HAPPYHAPPYHAPPY

HAPPYHAPPYHAPPY

HAPPYHAPPYHAPPY

HAPPYHAPPYHAPPY

HAPPYBIRTHDAY#1

HAPPYBIRTHDAY#1

HAPPYBIRTHDAY#1

HAPPYBIRTHDAY#1

LOVE U MUCH!!

Long Update from Wichita! (I should probably call more...)

Hello Family! 

I hope everyone is doing well! I never call, because I'm terrible, so I thought I should at the very least give a quick...well kinda long... update on life down in Wichita. 

We are celebrating 26 weeks (the last of the 2nd trimester). For those that may have missed this update earlier, 4.1 is spending lots of time packing on the fat that will help him/her regulate his/her body temperature. 4.1 's eyes, which have been sealed for months now, are finally starting to open, so he/she will be more responsive to light, and will kick up a storm when he/she detects some.

She/He is also gearing up her/his immune system for birth by borrowing some of your antibodies. One theory about the development of 4.1 's immune system is that because of this ‘share and share alike' attitude of hers/his, the immune system after birth will be the best suited to the environments you're adapted to. This means that she/he could be adapted to live best in your home. (Sorry mommy!)

Most of 4.1 's bodily systems and functions are now intact, and most of the rest of development purely revolves around putting on height and weight. 4.1 is now over fourteen inches tall,and weighs about two pounds, the size of a butternut squash! Our next meeting with our OB/GYN in September 8, so hopefully we will have more pleasant news from that experience. 

The only sad thing about sharing antibodies is that this has resulted in Ashley adopting some unpleasant sinus congestion. However, the return of hundreds of students as well as managing dozens of campus events, programs and orientations are also adding some stresses to the body. Thankfully, most of the worst has passed and the Week of Welcome is coming to a close. We are both looking forward to getting some well earned rest and jumping back into a nice recovery! 

Also, there continues to be big shakeups at Friends' as Ashley's direct supervisor, has accepted a new position at another University and her last day was last Friday, August 26th. With the Director of Campus Life gone, it remains to be seen how they will reorganize. Ideally and logically, a long over due and well earned promotion would take place and they would hire a new coordinator... but sometimes this University is not always known for being a place of logic. Still, all of Ashley's peers have come to recognize her competence, resourcefulness and passion for student development. Whatever happens next, we continue to express gratitude for our jobs and the free apartment. We'll keep you posted on how everything continues to play out. 

For my end, work is going well. Nearly a year into my position at Habitat has provided me many opportunities to learn, grow and exercise new levels of patience and people management. I am incredibly grateful and enjoying the fun and diverse challenges this work has brought me. We are getting ready for many special events, including our annual fundraiser on September 17th as well as welcoming on some new staff while sending well wishes to those transitioning out. If nothing else, I continue to learn the importance of flexibility! Currently, we have three active build sites and will be breaking ground on the fourth and final house of the year next Friday, September 9th. However, I won't be present for that.

Ashley and I will be joined by Jessica (Ashley's sister) on a wonderful college visit/baby moon/birthday present/last hurrah adventure to NYC! Jessica is brilliant and received a letter of invitation to apply for admission at Yale University. So we used that as an excuse to go to New York and to take a college tour in New Haven, Connecticut from September 8 to 11. We are all looking forward to a lovely time, wonderful food and a relaxing retreat before we jump into the final trimester, the new semester and the last collection of builds for 2016. 

Okay. That was a lot. Whew! I think that is all the big stuff going on and going forward. We love you all and hope that you enter into September (the best month of the year) with hearts filled with gratitude and joy!

All the Best 

Ashley, Jonathan & Rivers 4.1 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lQZ6j6UGrM

Are U Ready for Christmas...

Landon is practicing his culinary skills in preparation for our Christmas Family Gathering.

Enjoy!

Names have been drawn by the D.A.D,

Grandma A- Wandean

Ashley- Q

Harrison- Jonathan

James- Lee

Lee- Grandma A

Jonathan- Megan

Q- Ashley

Wandean- James

Karl- Harrison

Megan- Karl

HAPPYBIRTHDAYTOME

hey guys! since my birthday is next in line, i thought i would post about it.
feel free to post yourself, but i have a secret agenda.
i usually don't have a clue as to birthday gifts, but this year 2 of my favorite artists with be playing
concert within distance of manhattan.
i am soooo stoked!!
feel free to contribute!!

september 17th- needtobreathe will be at the starlight theater in kc
november 4th - cyrus chestnut will be here in manhattan! @ the wareham

mccain has an awesome season coming up. i stopped volunteering when both grandmas needed some extra help, but i believe grandma a is at a good place now. the d.a.d. will be busy with his fall class and that some free up some time for me to volunteer again.

other ideas--since this is all about me :)
cinnamon bears
flavored coffee
chocolate
massage @ body first
pedicure

enough about me. i do need updates, so update away!!
how was the wedding in Canada?? how is the new car??updates on the babe??how is Massachusetts?

HAPPYBDAYTOTHEJULYPEOPLE

ITSYOURBDAYMONTHHOPEYOUGETLOTSOFSTUFF

Grandma Azer
July 10th

James Eric
July 19th

Lee Andrew

July 27th

HAPPYBDAYTOQ

MR LANDON BEAR
SAYS
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Q

Hope you had a great BDay!

HAPPYBDAYHAPPYHAPPYBDAY

#1 GRANDSON BIRTHDAY ALERT

Harrison's Summer Address

This is Harrison's address for the summer. Be sure to keep in touch with him as he will be partially  quarantined -  writing rewriting schmoozing.

Harrison David Rivers

​Playwright-in-Residence

Williamstown Theatre Festival

P.O. Box 517

Williamstown, MA 01267-0517

For Packages (FedEx, UPS...)

​Harrison David Rivers

​Playwright-in-Residence

Williamstown Theatre Festival

1000 Main Street

Williamstown, MA 01267

​

Finally Kidnapped the D.A.D.

well folks, i have been plotting to kidnap the mister for a long time. i still may do an actual kidnapping- you know the surprise kind with blindfolds and everything...

our trip to kcmo was great! the canfield family graciously allowed us to hang our hats at their home while they were out of town. they were celebrating their anniversary as well!

we spent some time scoping out the area- overland park & lenexa. it never ceases to amaze me how these towns have grown since i was a kid in kansas city.

our big day was monday- we attended the memorial day ceremony at the world war I museum

gallery of photos from ceremony

we rode the new kc streetcar in the downtown area
then had dinner at grunauer's 

ate at grunauer's- wonderful meal

just spent time together, that was the best! 

love you all!

More from Wichita

Hey Family!

It is wonderful to hear about the great things taking place for everyone! Only a few items to report from down here: 

As of Thursday we are 12 weeks pregnant! I believe 13 weeks is usually the cut off for the first trimester and from a health standpoint Ashley is very eager to leave it behind. Her battle with bronchitis continues, though we think we are moving forward in a better way now that we have changed medications. Ashley is currently in Texas attending the NACA Institute Huge Leadership retreat, so continual prayers for her for travel and that she is able to get at least a little rest during the hectic schedule! 

Now that Edgemont House has been inspected we have entered into repair negotiations with the buyers, and hopefully we will still be able to maintain an end of June closing date. 

Work is keeping Jonathan busy as Habitat is about to kick off a build taking place during the Wichita Riverfest! Learn more by following the link - www.wichitahabitat.org/riverfest-build/ 

Hopefully it will stop raining so that they can build the 3 bedroom house in the allotted 9 days... fingers crossed! 

And that's about it! Love you all!

Jonathan & Ashley

P.S. we found a potential future friend for the little one 

    

Houstonian Rivers Update

Hola Familia!!!

We hope everyone is well. The Houston Rivers are living the dream and having a blast. Life has been busy, crazy, and hilarious all at once, but we are thankful that our Lord has sustained us through it all.

We just celebrated 5 magical years of wedded bliss. Five is the number of grace and we are thankful for all that God has blessed us with and how He has grown and changed us. We enjoyed a fun weekend in New Orleans at the Jazz Fest with friends and of course ate like gluttons. The following week we went to Costa Rica to celebrate and had a blast eating food, sailing, snorkeling, exploring, seeing sloths and drinking morning coffee with monkeys in the rainforest.

We met a lot of expats and may plan to retire down there in a few years. We just have to pick up a hobby or trade that we can use to support us financially. Lee is leaning towards surf lessons and Q will be a street dancer/juggler/fire blower. We are still working out the kinks. We'll keep you posted.

At this moment, we are taking a short break from packing as we are relocating to a different neighborhood. Our landlord is selling our beloved condo so we are moving to EaDo (East Downtown). No worries visitors, we are still in the inner loop near all of the excitement. Super close to the light rail, the soccer stadium, and baseball field, and obviously downtown which has tons of cultural and food events. We officially move on Monday so that will consume our entire weekend.

Of course Q is extra excited about becoming an aunt again. She has been telling strangers, once again, about the newest Rivers baby!! We cannot wait to meet him/her/them!! We are also excited about the upcoming birthday of nephew #1 and cannot believe how fast he is growing. Every picture we see is just remarkable. Can you all make him stop? We are so proud of him.

Quick Updates:

Lee has been traveling. He just returned from D.C. visiting legislators on the Hill to discuss continued funding for international education. He will continue his travels with a trip to Denver in a few weeks. He has been working on proposals for sponsors, conducting campus visits, sitting on a few focus groups for the restructuring of the organization, and being a general boss. He is closing out the academic year for outreach. Lee has picked out a few marathons that he wants to train for and has been hitting the gym pretty frequently when travel allows.

Q has been busy with presentations, organizing her program more effectively, doing some public policy work in Austin. The month of March was busy with multiple dance performances. She is scheduled to do a table reading for various monologues from “For Colored Girls”, “Lady MacBeth”, “The Colore Purple” and Joe Turner’s “Come and Gone”.  And she is still singing with her young adult choir, Psalms of David. If you like gospel music, check them out:

https://www.facebook.com/danny.davis.77128/videos/10156491764920191/

https://www.facebook.com/john.douglas.524381/videos/1162342523793608/

That is all for now. These boxes won’t pack themselves. We’ll post pictures of the new place soon. Love you all to the moon and back!

L + Q

Grandbaby #2

James and I took a trip down to Wichita to see Jon and Ashley! Just wanted to check in with them to make sure things were OK!  Here's some pics of their place!

HAPPYBIRTHDAYHAPPYBIRTHDAY

We had an early celebration of D.A.D's birthday on Friday

 Landon and I had fun shopping for balloons and ice cream cake!

Dad and I will be going to Kansas City on Sunday to celebrate his 
birthday and our anniversary!

I was trying to use the Airbnb to select a place for us to stay, when I encountered several difficulties. It ended up with me not being able to book a place, but in the series of turnaround events we ended up with a place to stay –  Ken and Dee Canfield's home!

They will be out of town and offered for us to stay at their place.

What a blessing in this guys!

Minnesota Update

Hi all,

Lots to update so I'll get right to it.

1. I have a website!

harrisondavidrivers.com

It's basic, but I like it a lot.
Christopher's mom, who is much more technologically savvy than myself, did most of the design work.

2. I leave for Williamstown in three-ish weeks.

I'll be there all summer serving as Playwright-in-Residence--seeing plays, writing about plays, leading post-play discussions AND working on my own projects.

It was just announced that Liesl Tommy, a 2016 Tony Best Director nominee for "ECLIPSED" that's now on Broadway starring Lupita Nyong'o, will be directing a reading of my play, "WHERE STORMS ARE BORN" in July.

A super exciting fun fact about "WHERE STORMS ARE BORN", which will be produced by Williamstown NEXT Summer (2017) is that Oprah's people are currently reading it as a possible project for her. How exciting would that be?

3. I have several productions opening this fall:

a. My play SWEET will be produced by the National Black Theatre in Harlem. Opening night is
October 22, 2016.

b. My play AND SHE WOULD STAND LIKE THIS will be produced by The Movement Theatre Company in New York City. Opening night is December 5, 2016.

c. I have been commissioned to write a new play for the 21-person BFA Acting Company at the University of Minnesota. It will be an adaptation of Euripides' "ALCESTIS". It will run December 6-8, 2016 in Minneapolis.

(And then I'll hop on a plane to meet RIVERS BABY #2!)

d. My musical FIVE POINTS will be staged as part of 11th Hours Productions season sometime this fall in Philadelphia.

4. FIVE POINTS is a finalist for B-Side Productions' New American Musical Award. If we win, the show will receive a three week workshop in New York City in September.

Whew!

I think that's everything.

The weather's been glorious in Minnesota and I'm trying to soak up as much summer goodness as I can before I leave for the summer. Last night we barbecued with Christopher's best friend, Samantha and her husband Eric and their 2 year old Calvin and today we're catching a Twins game with Christopher's parents.

I hope EVERYONE'S well.

Much love from up North,
H

UPDATES PEOPLE I NEED UPDATES

UPDATES PEOPLE I NEED UPDATES
UPDATES PEOPLE I NEED UPDATES

UPDATES PEOPLE I NEED UPDATES

congrats to HARRY!!

MEET THE NEW CORE WRITERS

Quick Update from Wichita

Good Morning Family!

As you all know, we're in the process of big changes here! We... Ashley... we? I don't know... Ashley is currently 6 weeks and 5 days pregnant and the little one is about the size of a chocolate chip! We have our first meeting with our OBGYN on Monday, May 16. Prayers are always welcome as the morning sickness is actually all-day sickness and general discomfort. But the excitement continues to build by the day! 

Our secondary focus of late is the selling of our house. Which went from zero to 60 very quickly! We turned in our condition report and final paperwork to our realtor over the weekend and scheduled the photographer for Wednesday (yesterday) afternoon. 

However, we unexpectedly received the keys to our new apartment on campus on Tuesday and were able to secure a moving truck that same day because the individual who had reserved it cancelled. Totally a God thing. So we spent Tuesday afternoon moving the big items out and cleaning in anticipation of the photographer. Any who, we're about 80% moved out of the home, our house is on the market and there are already 3 viewings scheduled for today! Whew!

You can do simple search for our address (3932 Edgemont, Wichita KS 67208) or I've included a link below to learn more- 

http://www.homes.com/property/3932-edgemont-st-wichita-ks-67208/id-600018325280/

Finally, here's a look (hopefully) of the empty apartment prior to us moving all of our stuff in - 

The after video is pending some packing and decorating! But that's about it; we love you guys and hope all is well! 

Jonathan & Ashley

   

Been a while...Talk to me

UPDATEUPDATEUPDATE

DAD'S GRADE    A-

News from Manhattan- DAD FINISHED HIS CLASS!!!!
I am so proud of him. This class was more to his liking and he thoroughly enjoyed it. His confidence grows with each class. We try not to get caught up in the grades. As all you guys well know- grades do not the person make! I know his heart and his desire to learn more from the Word and to be stretched. What a guy!!!

I was surprised by the D.A.D. in March. He and Lee conspired a trip to Houston for me.
I was feeling a bit overwhelmed and frankly needed a break. I appreciate the conspiracy efforts and will be traveling to Houston next week. I will spend some time with my sis, then hang out with Lee and Q. How exciting!! Thanks guys!!!

Now your turn...

Easter- HE IS RISEN

We must not forget that it wasn’t the Jews that put him on the cross, and it wasn’t the Romans. It was my sins, it was your sins, the sins of this world. ~Franklin Graham

Take with you the joy of Easter to the home, and make that home bright with more unselfish love, more hearty service… ~John Ellerton

God led Jesus to a cross, not a crown, and yet that cross ultimately proved to be the gateway to freedom and forgiveness for every sinner in the world. ~Bill Hybels

Was it for crimes that I had done
He groaned upon the tree?
Amazing pity! Grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!
~Isaac Watts
When we preach Christ crucified, we have no reason to stammer, or stutter, or hesitate, or apologize; there is nothing in the gospel of which we have any cause to be ashamed. ~C.H. Spurgeon

It horribly skews the meaning of the cross when contemporary prophets of self-esteem say that the cross is a witness to my infinite worth. The biblical perspective is that the cross is a witness to the infinite worth of God’s glory, and a witness to the immensity of the sin of my pride. ~John Piper

There was no identity crisis in the life of Jesus Christ. He knew who He was. He knew where He had come from, and why he was here. And he knew where He was going. And when you are that liberated, then you can serve. ~Howard Hendricks

If I do not give a friend “The benefit of the doubt,” but put the worst construction instead of the best on what is said or done, then I know nothing of Calvary love. ~Amy Carmichael

How many there are … who imagine that because Jesus paid it all, they need pay nothing, forgetting that the prime object of their salvation was that they should follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ in bringing back a lost world to God. ~Lottie Moon