Eli, Isaac, and Zach conked out after the Aquarium!
After our brief visit in Virginia Beach, we began making our way back to Kentucky, stopping off in Richmond for an incredibly awesome wedding of two of our community groupers. The entire ceremony was so focused on Christ and his Bride; it was absolutely beautiful. Our road trip to Virginia and back was also such a blessing since we got to hang out with two wonderful ladies, both in our community group.
Christy and Andy
Ashley, Jen, Jenny, and Isaac
We had a wonderful Easter weekend; for the first time, I baked Hot Cross Buns on Good Friday. We went to a brilliant Good Friday Service/CD Release Party, and had a wonderful worship experience at our church on Easter Sunday. We were also able to spend some time with several friends throughout the day.
On a more 'daily life' note, Isaac is as busy as ever! He's heading into the final weeks of the semester and has been researching, reading, writing, and studying his brains out...quite literally. He's pulled several all-nighters or almost-all-nighters to finish some papers and is continuing to work his two jobs as well as attending Pastor's School. He has one more final paper to write before he takes his finals the second week of May...and then we'll be halfway through seminary! Pastor's School will finish toward the end of May. He definitely deserves a break this summer, but he'll continue to work and will taking five credit hours through his Costa Rica trip, which most likely means he'll be completing some of the requirements after he comes back in July. We're still looking forward to the summer months, however!
I finished my SWI classes for this term and will register for next semester sometime this week. I'm not sure what I'll be taking in the fall, but am looking forward to continuing in the program. I'm also taking a French class (for free) through my Academic Assistant job. It is only a five-week class, but I am enjoying it so far and am hoping to continue studying the language in the future. I'm still doing the Academic Assistant job, but I did add more hours each week. And I also am occasionally sellng concessions and tickets at soccer games at a school near us; the athletic director is going to keep me in mind for other sporting events throughout the year, so hopefully that will pan out as well. I'm not making a ton of money doing either of these jobs, but we are firm believers that 'every little bit helps'.
As for KRM, we still have lower than average arrivals because of the new security screening. However, it does look like arrivals are starting to pick up a tad; we're crossing our fingers for the fourth quarter 'bulge' of the old days. The Refugee Elder Program will also be monitored by the Office of Refugee Resettlement in a few short weeks. I'm really proud of our program, but it's always a little unnerving to have the feds come in and scrutinize your work. But the program is constantly growing and we are consistently adding new aspects; we will have two MSW interns in the fall, and I am beyond excited about that endeavor.
We continue to lead our community group and continue to face some tough issues, but it is really amazing to see how the Lord grows us through trials. Isaac is still working with the advocacy group as well and is doing an amazing job of helping lead that ministry. In case you weren't aware, my husband is awesome...
Even though we're surprised May is already here, we are very excited about what the next month holds: a Cards game in Cincinnati, the end of the semester for Isaac, my cousin's graduation from Union, and who knows what else.
And oh- be sure to think of us when you watch the Kentucky Derby this weekend!
