Loving Louisville

So earlier I posted about the things I am looking forward to about moving back to South Carolina. Well, we always knew that Louisville was just a stop on this journey, that we would be merely passing through, but I never dreamed or imagined I would end up loving the place like I do! Here are a few of the things I will miss:

1. the wonderful friends we've made here (one of the first people I met has curly hair just like me - we immediately had something in common; I met my twin sister here - we are so much alike it's scary! we met people from the area we're from in SC - and had to come all the way to Louisville to meet them! I met another 'only child' who I relate to so well. We've met people who will be life long friends, who've helped us through thick and thin. We will miss them all!)

2. The Hispanic campus - I will miss Pastor Ramon and his family, along with many of the other families that attend the Hispanic campus. They have treated us like family! I will miss worshipping in Spanish on Sunday mornings - even though I have no idea what I'm singing!

3. Havana Rumba - one of our very favorite restaurants in Louisville. They have great Cuban food.

4. Chuy's (Another wonderful restaurant) - our weekly (almost) obsession with Kyle and April!

5. The Seminary and its community - not just the facilities themselves, but the people, the classes, the whole way of life

6. being able to walk to the library and the seminary

7. Highview Baptist Church - phenomenal worship, great teaching, great people

8. The Attic (the seminary's "Goodwill," only all the stuff is free!)

9. Being able to go to the Seminary clinic for $5.00

10. Brittney's guacamole (& the parties that go with them)!

11. All the little girls that are Briggs' "girlfriends"

12. Derby festival activities, especially Thunder Over Louisville (we might just come back for that)

13. being able to walk to 3 different parks (one with a splash park)

14. the Homeschooling community and support here

15. the 10% discount we get on groceries because Aaron works at Kroger

So those are just a few of the things that come to mind when I think of things I will miss in Louisville. Though we had a rough start, it turned out to be an all right place to live!

I'm Going Home!

For those of you who may not know yet, we have decided to move back to South Carolina. The decision came about rather quickly, but we are certain it is the right one for our family. We are excited about being close to family and friends again. Here are a few more specific things I am looking forward to:

1. Having a house to live in with a little more room ... and a yard!

2. Having a full size washer and dryer

3. Going to a restaurant and being able to get sweet tea (it's not always really sweet here)!

4. Being back in The South

5. Attending Brushy Creek Baptist Church and hearing the Word from Jim Spencer

6. Warmer winters!

7. Firehouse Subs

8. Football in the South!

9. Clemson games

10. being back in the "country"

11. Did I mention Clemson football?

12. Being close to the mountains and the coast

13. kayaking again since we will be close to lakes!

14. not having to deal with crazy Kentucky drivers :)

15. having an outdoor pool to go to

So these are just a few of the things I am looking forward to. Next post ... things I will miss about Louisville.

Guatemala - 9 months later

Aaron and I had the privilege to visit Guatemala June 30-July 6. We were able to visit the same area that we visited in October. During this trip Briggs was able to accompany us. Let me begin by saying that I was at first very resistant to going. April and Kory heard me complain and vent my fears about going to another country with a 5 year old more than once... but praise God that my husband wouldn't take "no" for an answer. I'm thankful for his discernment from the Lord, and his courage to tell me we were all going - even when I fought it so much! God is just so truly indescribable in His love for us, and in the grace and mercy He shows us. I'm forever grateful for this trip - for the experience of seeing my son interact with the kids of Pacux, Guatemala and for so much more!

This particular trip was a little easier for me than I expected, simply because I had been there before and knew what to expect. I knew how long the plane ride took, I knew how long we would have to wait in the mall for the money to be exchanged, I knew how long the bus would wind its way up the mountain before we finally got to the hotel in Rabinal - and I knew what to expect from the rooms we stayed in and the food we would eat. These simple things allowed me to truly "relax" a little, even though I was totally stressing about Briggs being in a foreign country. As you will be able to see by the pics, Briggs should have been the least of my worries! Everyone talks about how resilient kids are and how adaptable they are. This trip was evidence of that for me. My quiet, shy son sort of came out of his shell around many of the Guatemalan kids. He was still a little hesitant around the girls, but I think that's to be expected of a 5 year old boy!

Thanks to those of you who prayed for us while we were there. I can't begin to even put into words the love we have for each of you! We have also come to love Guatemala! God is at work there, even among the people who live in the middle of the dump. To summarize (from the words of one of my favorite songs): "Glory to God, glory to God, glory to God forever. Take my life and let it be all for You and for Your glory. Take my life and let it be Yours."

While we were walking around this village, I looked over & this guy was wearing a shirt that said, "aaron stinks." I HAD to have a picture!

Some People Will Do Anything for Free Food ...

like dress up as cows! This past Friday was Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-fil-A and if you dressed as a cow, you could receive a free meal. I was surprised when Aaron agreed to dress up and go. Here we are:

We enjoyed 3 meals for FREE! It was a bit crowded, and Aaron and I chuckled to ourselves that most of the people in there were also seminary students. Everybody know seminarians can use all the free food we can get!!