The Ash Heap - Summer Edition

I cannot believe it is already AUGUST!!! Where has the summer gone?! I dont even remember May... Life is such a funny thing. It moves so quickly. It seems like the first summer we moved here - we were able to actually ENJOY summer - we went to the lake a lot, were out and about a lot... though I contribute that to the jobs we were working - so much flexibility. This summer we've hardly been able to do anything. Between me working & Steven going to school and working - the most exciting thing we've done all summer is... uh... Hm.

Things have been good for us. Fast paced, but good. Here's what's been going on in our lives lately:

CHURCH:

• Crossroads has MEMBERS! Our pastor just started a membership process... and this is exciting.


• The summer has been hard on the church, but we've been averaging 70-80 the last few weeks... and school hasnt even started yet! There are TONS of new faces & I feel awful that there are so many people I dont know. Our college crowd is increasing - and this is also exciting


• I take care of the Crossroads website - and am loving the new design and features! It's such a fun task for me! Go - check it out. www.wvcrossroads.com


• We are going through the book of John - God has used this series to speak to us.

WORK:

• My office moved locations! It now takes me...40 minutes to get to work (and again, the students are not here). I hate the location, but am adjusting to the new space. I like my new area... more privacy, easier to focus but despise the drive.


• NEW DRESS CODE ALERT: With the new move comes a new dress code. We were not too happy with it b/c we were given a short time to purchase new clothes (you know, b/c we all have spare money hanging around). However, despite our grumblings, we are all digging it. It is a business casual (more heavily enforced) - and I feel like a bombshell. Ok, maybe that's vain, but its true! Today I happen to be wearing white banana republic pants (which are awesome) and a sleeveless pink ruffled LOFT shirt.. with some heels... and lets just say my husband could hardly keep his hands off of me this morning ;) There's just something about looking great that makes you feel great. Everyone here agrees


• Steven is still working at Advance... still enjoying it

SCHOOL:

• My love breezed through the summer term with .. that's right... straight A's.


• The fall semester starts in 3 weeks - I cant believe he only has 2 semesters left!! We've been careful with our money, so we are still able to pay his tuition on our own, debt free. Praise Jesus.

OTHER:

• I hate to put God in the other category.. but I cant write a heap without including Him! It still amazes me how much my Jesus loves me and pursues me. The summer has been rocky, but he has pursued me through it. Our relationship is beginning to blossom into something quite beautiful. I'm learning to run to Him first... instead of trying to solve life's problems on my own. He is so faithful.


• I am married to the greatest man on the planet. I cannot brag on my husband enough. He is such an amazing man who loves and cares for me beyond imagination! I am so thankful for Him and blown away that He's mine!!! I become more and more attracted to him each and every day! He's an awesome husband - and is going to be a great daddy one day.