Sorry ...

Where does the time go? I will blame part of the lack of an update on the fact that the internet we steal from our neighbor's has been down for almost a month. This means that every time we want to use the internet we have to walk down the hall to steal internet from a different neighbor. It is becoming highly inconvenient. At any rate, our lives right now are not all that exciting, so I'm afraid I have little to report, but for those who read, here you go!

Speaking of which ... if you read, post comments! Otherwise I just feel as though I am talking to cyber space and eventually may give up this little venture. So please, some encouragement!

Matthew is doing well ... he reads almost all day, every day. He's taking an ethics seminar right now that he is partially enjoying. But to offset his occasional frustration there, he is participating in a Kuyper reading group with some school friends, an independent study/reading with Dr. Mouw, and has small group discussions every week with the PhD students in his Ethics class. These are all good things, because they keep him well balanced and not stuck with his nose in a book all day every day ;)

I am good, I think! School is busy, but I am honestly lacking in motivation. I feel my mind is far more engaged right now in the thrills and challenges of worship planning, leadership, and execution at church so that ends up being what I prefer to spend my time on ... I'm still trying to figure out a good balance. Church has been wonderful thus far ... the newly formed worship team has been well received, the choir has been a treat and we are enjoying working on music together, and Sunday morning worship planning and leadership, while challenging, has also been incredibly rewarding. This is when I give three cheers for feeling affirmed in your vocational calling, which I certainly have! The big thing now is Advent ... we are doing a big service of Lessons and Carols on Sunday, Dec. 20 that has been forming in my little brain for the last 6 months or so. It will involve the choir, a string quartet, a brass quartet, and various other musical and dramatic elements. It's a big undertaking but I'm feeling very excited about it and the message it has to communicate. Overall, the job has been a tremendous learning experience and I am very thankful for that.

Henry Henry Henry higgins ... our little dog of drama. After two different ear infections, a bug bite on his lip, and various skin abnormalities, he is finally healing and back to normal (wish we could say the same thing about the checkbook!). We have found a little bump on his back that has us both a bit freaked out, but we are hopeful that it is shrinking, although it's kind of hard to assess sometimes. But otherwise he's great and still an absolute joy to have around.

I think that's it for now! I have a midterm on Thursday so this has served as a fabulous distraction, but is not helping me learn about reformation history. Hopefully more to come soon ... and hopefully with some pictures! Sorry bout that.