everything's changin

Since our last post so many things have happened:

We celebrated the wedding of my former roommate, who is truly an inspiration in my life, to another admirable friend from college. It seems like every wedding reminds us of the blessing of marriage and helps renew our commitment to each other. 

We spoke at a junior high camp with St. Andrew Presbyterian Church's BASIC group and had a wonderful time with the junior highers as well as their high school/college aged leaders. were so blessed to share the life-altering truth that we are "beloved" children of God.

We moved to Lebanon, Ohio! Packed another U-Haul, towed the Jeep full of stuff and drove a stuffed minivan the nine hours from IC. Our first residence in OH was a fantastic historic home right next door to the church which we housesat for three weeks. It was dangerously close to two local ice-cream shops, which we may or may not have visited numerous times. Along our walks, we found several random bluegrass concerts. 

I took a two-week class back in Wheaton and had a wonderful time getting to know a new class of GRA's and reconnecting with friends from my cohort. Meanwhile, Andrew plugged away at his new job, visited a monster truck named "gravedigger" (apparently this is a famous truck), and handled all the negotiations for the next item on our list...

We bought our first house!!! With the housing market being what it is, our incredible distaste for renting, and the opportunity to invest our inheritance, we could not pass up our dream house! The process has been thoroughly stressful and exhausting (word on the street that it used to be easier to buy a house, but several agencies have cracked-down on the process significantly), but we are closing on the 15th and moving in on the 20th. We are SO grateful and look forward to being able to offer hospitality to our family, friends, and any body else. The only problem we are facing-- we have zero furniture. But that's not so bad!

We took a senior high trip to Cedar Point, and had a great time getting to know more of the students at LPC. After a whole day in the park, the group spent one night at a local campground in cabins, and then visited Lake Ontario and a local ice-cream factory (is that called a creamery?). It did not compare to Sherman's in South Haven, or even Whit's here in Lebanon, but worth the stop. 

I got a small job coaching one of the Lebanon Warriors' 7th grade volleyball team. Our season got off to a great start yesterday with our first scrimmage, and we walked away undefeated. My group of girls is tons of fun and eager to learn everyday. What a blast!

We spent a week in Michigan with a smattering of my mom's side of the family. Two days at the pool, one day at the beach, an entire day of kayaking on the Grand River, nightly campfires, crafting, and games. I loved having a running partner (Denver, the family dog), and spending time with my siblings in a variety of combinations. Every time we see cousins, it blows me away how we are all so different but share so many experiences, habits, and personality traits. While in W.Mich, we made a venture to GR to see five friends, and also got to meet up with another couple for coffee before heading out of town. We continue to be "smitten with the mitten."

It's been a busy past two months, but each event has been a sign of God's faithfulness and guidance in our lives. In the words of a favorite hymn by the Getty's: "my heart is filled with thankfulness."