I am in Denver! It has been an incredible experience to pack what I can into two small cars, and move across the country with my best friend. Don't let people tell you what you can't do... show them what you can do.
I haven't been on here in more than a month, so I don't know where to start in my updating. Life has changed radically and also stayed wonderfully the same over the past month. I have a new city, I'm married, we have new jobs, a new kitten, and a new way of looking at life and faith. So let's just go in that order.
.new city. Denver is the best city I have ever spent time in. There are art museums, awesome thrift stores, free furniture everywhere, skyscrapers, hole in the wall coffee shops that actually have good coffee, handmade clothes shops, bread shops that aren't Panera, good grocery stores that aren't walmart, funny tourists, excellent public transportation, everything we need within walking distance, 5 good venues within walking distance, a stellar local music scene, beautiful parks, and pubs that open at 4am to play World Cup games... all things that can ONLY be found in a city. There is also low crime, no humidity, nice people, colorful clothing, gorgeous houses, small churches, public water fountains, an awesome trash service, tasty mountain water right from the faucet, and affordable nights out at a restaurant or jazz bar... all things that are NONEXISTANT in most big cities.
.this being married thing. Married life is for awesome people (I think Craig is awesome, hint hint). Anyhow, the transition has been suprisingly easy. There are some BIG differences, but mostly, it's just exciting to spend all my free time with Levi and to have my own kitchen. I am learning what it means to be led, and to be taken care of. Love is stronger than death. Here we are, marching in the light of God, together. Oh Glory.
.new jobs. Levi is working for a company that finishes brand new houses, and also does some upgrade work on older houses. He is working like a madman in Hardwood Production, which means he lays hardwood floors from 6:30 in the morning until at the earliest 4:30 and at the latest 8:00 at night. This is a bonus because any house we buy, he and Labe can lay hardwood floors and make it worth more monies. I am currently working as a nanny for 4 boys. They are wonderful and loud and messy and perfect. It is only my first week, so I am trying to reserve judgment until I am CERTAIN that I want to make a long-term commitment to this family. But so far I like it. I'm going to be working Monday through Thursday while Levi is at work, and then have Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off... which is EXCELLENT! I am excited to start building our savings up again and to be able to come home soon. The biggest disappointment is that we don't think Levi will be able to get any time off of work this summer, which means we might not being having a party in August. I guess everyone who matters will just have to venture out to Denver soon. (:
.new kitten. We saved a small black kitten with white socks and chest, and some white on his face, from certain death. His name is Amos and we think he is either a little crippled or a little brain damaged. He has trouble with balance and walking like the other kitties... but he is a good fighter and a good snuggler. The other kits take good care of him.
.new faith. God is so good to us. We have found an excellent church that doesn't make me want to scream everytime I go. It is good to feel excited about church, and to have good discussion about a sermon/teaching. It hurts to be separated from camp, but it is excellent to be learning new things and being discipled again. I am learning so much, and finding that I have been so wrong for so long. Things are making sense. The Bible is coming ALIVE.
So yeah... we get to see Levi's sisters, and Katie's husband and baby. All are doing well. We've been hiking between 10 and 15 miles a week (which may not seem like a lot, but try hiking the God's hollow trail back and forth 6 times straight up a mountain. There are lots of mountain lions here who are known to snatch small children from their parents, which is rather terrifying. The longer I live here the more I hate driving. It is so much better to just slow down and take the time to walk. I've walked 5 miles one way to buy tasty bagels from a Swedish owned bakery. I totally could have walked to Walmart from my old house. Bah.
Many prayers to those of you at Camp Luz, you are all so dear to me. E-mail thedenverduo@gmail.com if you want to write me/ get my address. Many more prayers to those of you at other camps/ministeries/jobs/colleges/etc. I miss you. Come to Denver. The midwest is the pits. Trust me. They got this "heart of it all thing all wrong".... Ohio is the armpit of it all. Leave it for the Amish.
I know less than half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as much as you deserve.
Blessings.
