May Update

I promise, some day we'll post more than just monthly updates...but for now, read all about our May!

Isaac completed the spring semester (as well as Pastor's School at Sojourn), which means he is halfway through seminary!  Four semesters down, four more to go.  He didn't get much of a break, however; now he is working his way through a few books he'll need to read for his Costa Rica trip in just a few short weeks.  In addition to serving throughout the trip, he will be completing the work for five credit hours through this trip.  He also registered for his fall classes: Old Testament I, New Testament II, Philosophy, and Building an Evangelistic Church.  That's 12 hours...because he's crazy folks.  It's possible he'll drop a class and only take nine hours depending on what the syllabi look like when those become available.  Sojourn's School of Missions is also launching in the fall, but we may wait to enroll in that the following year, closer to Isaac's graduation (oh my goodness, I just got really excited about his graduation)... But for now, he's happy to have a break from classes and I'm happy to get to see my husband again!

Our arrivals at KRM (and throughout the nation) continue to be slow, but are picking up a little bit.  We are hoping the issues with additional security check process is resolved soon so that our numbers will increase.  We have been told to expect the 'last quarter bulge' of the good ole days- when you resettle the vast majority of your new arrivals in July, August, and September.  Basically- no vacation for those three months since we will probably be pulling longer hours than normal.  The 'tone' from the Department of State and our national affiliates continue to fluctuate pretty regularly, however, so I'm not counting on anything.  The Elder Program is going wonderfully as well!  I'm working on a blog to be launched soon, so be expecting that!

My Academic Assistant job finished last week, but it looks like the program will continue next school year.  We are having a wrap-up party in next week and will find out more, but I'm hoping to continue the program and to be place in the same schools.  Since I work with elder refugees all day, I think it's good for me to be able to work with kids some in the afternoon...but really, it's not that much of a stretch considering the elders are just kids at heart. 

I also continue to work for the Athletic Director of one of the local private schools.  The jobs are low stress and it's really fun to get to interact with more people I wouldn't have met otherwise.  We are finishing up spring soccer and are moving on to field hockey soon, so I will continue to work throughout the summer with him whenever I possibly can.  Isaac also likes when I get to bring him home the leftover hot dogs that would otherwise be thrown away...but I have a feeling he's going to get pretty tired of hot dogs at some point. 

Since we have failed miserably in being good local tourists over the past few months, we were able to crank it up a notch in May!  Along with our beloved Jen, we took a quick trip to Cincinnati to take in a Reds-Cardinals game.  Oddly enough, we ended up sitting near quite a few Cards fans and had a good time at the game, even though we lost and therefore the Reds moved into first place ahead of the Cardinals...but vindication is the Lord's because the Cards are back in first place and the Reds keep slipping!  Ha!

Excited to see the Cards play!

 

At least The Great American Ballpark is still a sea of red...

 

The following weekend, my cousin Beth graduated from university- Union University, that is!  Isaac and I were able to venture down to good 'ole Jackson (the locale of our very first meeting, I might add) to see her walk across the stage and shake hands with Dr. Dockery himself.  We were able to hang out with my uncle, aunt, and other cousin for a good portion of the day, and they were even kind enough to let us crash their hotel room for the evening so we didn't have to sleep in our car.  It was, of course, a lovely graduation (although it was hotter than you-know-what) and we are very proud of Beth!

That's her with the red hair...

Union, dearest Union...

 

A super sweet shot of daughter and father!

 

A few weeks later, Southern had Louisville Bats (the Reds' minor league team) tickets for pretty cheap, so we went to the game with two of our best friends here, Chris and Heather.  Perhaps we shouldn't go to any more baseball games anytime soon since the Bats lost too...but nonetheless, it was super fun to hang out with our two crazy friends for an evening.  And Slugger Field is super nice, too.  It was actually a little chilly that night, but I am not complaining on that front...

Yay for over-priced ballpark food!

 

Truly, this is the best picture in the world...

 

That night, our CoMo friends Kim and Liz stopped in Louisville for a quick visit as well.  Isaac, Kim, Liz, and I were able to eat at a local restaurant I'd be wanting to visit for some time: It's All Greek to Me.  It did not disappoint!  Isaac had to go to work after lunch, but the three of us ventured on to the Slugger Museum...and finished up our day with dinner at a new place called Bluegrass Burgers- all local grass-fed beef...and the most amazing sweet potato fries known to man.  We walked along Bardstown Road and enjoyed some Italian yogurt at Cefiore as well before we retired home to fall asleep to Bridget Jones's Diary (so bad, we know...but wildly funny).

Posing in front of the Slugger Museum with the gigantic bat.

 

Kim showing off her skill set as a wax figure...

 

Not to be outdone, Liz shows some love for Joe DiMaggio.

 

Louisville Sluggers!  The factory store was so fascinating; if you get a chance, definitely visit!

 

After all of local tourist excitement, we had some excitement of a different kind: Isaac took our dear Jen to the ER because she was having some pain that wouldn't go away...turns out her appendix was inflamed and she needed to have surgery.  Her mom wasn't able to make it in to Louisville until after the surgery since it was scheduled rather quickly, but our community group did such an amazing job of taking care of her- I don't know that she was alone in the hospital except for late at night and perhaps early in the morning!  I was able to be there before she went into surgery, and I was completely impressed with the Surgery Center at the hospital (patient liaison-= most ingenious idea ever)...plus, it's always great to see Jen on some major medication (soooooo fun).  While I had to leave before I got to see her in recovery, Isaac and another friend from our community group was there when she woke up (if you call it waking up).  She's off work for a while now, so we've already brought her a boatload of movies from Johnson's movie rental (for real, we should open up a movie rental business).  I'll spare you from pictures from that event, however...just pray for a speedy recovery for her!

We continue to raise funds for our trip to Swaziland, Africa in November.  We had a very successful Lia Sophia fundraiser in May; thanks to all of you who participated!  A few of our friends are also hosting their own Lia Sophia parties so that they can earn free jewelry and help us raise funds; our wonderful Lia Sophia advisor Stephanie will be donating all of her commission from these parties to our Swaziland fund!  We're planning a few other fundraisers, and we are continually sending out support letters as well.  We'll keep you updated on our progress.

We hope you are all doing well and are looking forward to summer time and all that it brings!