Who are you?

Who do I know that lives near or in Reston, Virginia?

GPS glitch

Navigational systems are amazing. I have a TomTom and love it. LOVE it. One feature tomtom offers is a map-share. If I am driving and notice a road closed for construction or notice a new starbucks, I can add it to my GPS and then sync it on the web for other users to know. Well, I needed to run to Wal-mart after I left Pap's house in order to purchase a phone charger because the genius that I am left mine at home. So, I ask Tom where the closest one is. He has me get off the exit and travel all the way into Morgantown, WV to the West Virgina University campus. After I went up a steep hill and into a condo driveway, Tom said, "you have reached your destination". Very funny. Apparently someone thought it would be funny to lead new freshman or visitors like myself to his or her apartment under the guise of the name "Wal-mart". It added thirty minutes to my driving time, but I had a good laugh and eventually found a store in PA.

Almost Heaven, West Virginia...

This week I have been trekking to Wisconsin. I have had the privilege of stopping to see Elisabeth and Pete, and much of my family.

I love my family so much. Until Monday, I hadn't seen my dad's dad in over a year.
Pap and Chuck live in the middle of nowhere West Virginia. I love it there because that is where my family is and that is where I remember spending at least part of my summers as a child. As I watched Pap chat with my Uncle Chuck and fix his tractor, I realized that all these years he hasn't changed one bit. He is the same grandpa that sat out on the front porch with me after dinner when I was five and the same grandpa who let me hunt with the men as long as I was quiet.
My cousin, Tommy, was there too. He is eight now and reminds me of Robby when he was little. (In that his wrists start half-way up his arm and he is really smart.) While the men were working on the tractor, tommy was singing, "Country Roads, Take me Home" at the top of his lungs. (That part of him reminded me of Bob too.)
Someone left Chuck and Pap a bunch of pre-cooked refrigerated crabs. (gross). They were wondering what do to with them. I had the brilliant idea of making crab-meat pasta salad. The crabs were awfully hard so I googled "how to soften pre-cooked, cold crabs". That didn't help. I took it upon myself to boil them then smash them and throw away the gills and anything else icky. Well, I don't think it ended up being that yummy of a salad. Oh well. We had a casserole that someone had brought the guys and then Chuck, Tommy, and I went to Dairy King. (Don't be jealous, guys. I got a raspberry swirled ice cream - yum!) Oh yeah, and when I went to pay for the ice cream I gave the lady my Visa. She laughed and said, "Honey. We are still hillbillies. We don't take credit cards." I thought she was joking.
Pap was so cute. He got up early with me when I left the next morning and took me to breakfast. He said he wanted to make sure I had a good breakfast before my long trip.
Chuck hasn't changed a bit either. He still insists on wearing a hat almost always...but I did get him to join facebook. I definitely need to go to WV more often. Everyone there is real and I like that. real. unedited.

Colorado wrap-up

So I never finished my trip about Colorado, so I will do that before I talk about my current adventure.
Lisa, Nathan, and I all went to the mountains and a cute little town called Georgetown. It was in a valley and definitely the type of town where everyone knew everyone. Actually, there was a little, abandoned store front for sale and we couldn't distinguish if it was a store or an apartment...so I tried the door. It was open, so I went in and checked it out:) If it had a toilet it would have been livable. We also went to a couple different churches on Sunday. Highlands Baptist Church was my favorite. The Sunday school classes were small groups that all were studying the same curriculum and the preaching was a great exposition of eschatology. The music was phenomenal and friendliness was unmatched. I loved it.
Lisa and I had a blast catching up as well as reminiscing about adolescence. (Boy were we dorks.) I have tons of pics that I will upload and we created a video that I will post once it is edited.
The weather is amazing and Castle Rock is a beautiful town! The church they are working in is called Castle View Baptist. If you're in the area, check it out! I am certain you won't be disappointed.

Colorado - Day 1

Yesterday, I flew to Colorado. I have always wanted to come here, so I had it all pictured in my head. When we were flying over Colorado, I was wicked dissapointed. The terrain looked super flat and they had crop circles everywhere. (When I thought of CO, I didn't think "farmland".)
I have always wondered why airports are in such an unpleasing part of the town. I am sure Denver is georgous...but around the airport was dirt and highway...I was a little saddened by that!
A short drive away, Lisa, Nathan (her hubby) and I arrived in Castle Rock. The town is adorable! Close to everything, yet still has a small town feel. Oh, and did I mention that it is beautiful? yeah. it's beautiful! We spent the afternoon and evening at Pastor Tate's house where we barbequed, lit sparklers and played wii. We also went to a ledge thing and watched fireworks that were similiar to Derry,NH fireworks. (Just a little taste of home for Lisa!)
Today we are going to Springs to visit Focus on the Family and Garden of the gods...I will try to take pics for all you faithful readers!

No Way!

Get this! Today, Mom,Crystal, and I all have the day off so mom had the day all planned out. Crystal comes up to wake me and says, "Mom is driving a brand new Ford Mustang!" Sure enough, in the driveway is a beautiful white mustang. Of course, it is just a substitute while the van is getting fixed...but we don't have to tell anybody that:)

So far this summah...

So far summer has been busy. I've taken on new responsibilities at work, traveled, and simply enjoyed it. Here is a rundown of what is going on:


Elisabeth and Pete got married on June 7. As always, she looked beautiful! Their wedding was a joy to be a part of. One thing they did that was new to me was a Salt Ceremony. Instead of lighting unity candles, they mixed salt. (In the Old Testament, salt mixing showed a binding covenant between two people.) I loved the symbolism!
After the wedding, I stayed a few extra days in Chicago and spent time with Katie. We had sooo much fun! I took tons of pictures, but I look like a dork in all of them so I am not going to post them!

Robby got engaged this month. You can read the story here. He is marrying an awesome girl and I can't wait to get to know her even better!


On Independence Day, I am flying to Denver to see Lisa. I can hardly wait. It has been a year since I have seen her and I don't know when I will see her again. I am so thankful that God has blessed me with the opportunity to go!

and finally...
the moment you all have been waiting for...

at the end of July I am moving back to WI! I can't wait. I will be living with a fantastic family and pursuing my MA in Biblical Counseling. Please pray for me as I will be outrageously busy!