Sunday, September 16, 2007

Pictures of England


The River Avon, overlooked from the Clifton Downs. In the distance the Avon flows into the sea.


A nice little pub, aptly named, here in Bristol.


Trinity College itself, in all its sunless beauty.


Me at the college on the first day. Notice the little Hobbit knob, set lowly on the door.

Friday, September 14, 2007

UK Arrival

Despite rumors otherwise, we are alive and well and have arrived in the UK. Things went along without a hitch and, in fact, went so quickly that we ended up spending lots of time at O'Hare watching other BA planes dock and leave with funny-talking peoples.

Once in country, we spent the first day finding Trinity College and dropping off some things. On our way back to the hotel, we had ourselves a truly English experience. We walked through an enormous park called Clifton Downs, which borders the River Avon in Avon Gorge, and continued down along olden streets laden with bright little pubs. English indeed.

Since then we've added the experiences of watching a soccer match (including beer and wine) and taking a pub trip, both of which were organized through Trinity College! Apparently we've got one of the newer schools around, with its contruction being completed right around 1699. This reminds me of a joke: The primary difference between an American and an Englishman is that the American thinks 100 years is a long time and the Englishman thinks 100 miles is a long way!

Anywho, we do need to 'pop' out, as the English say. We'll include some pictures when wireless is again up and running.

Cheers,

Monday, August 20, 2007

Up North

We just got back in town today from our trip around the state. In short, to spare you the volumes of details, we visited friends and family throughout Wisconsin, regularly seeing in a day four different parties separated by at least an hour of driving. It got to be grueling but was well worthwhile. However, the affects were at times serious. I remember one such day.

It began with us breaking camp, loading the canoe, paddling back across the rather large lake, packing the car, driving four hours, visiting with friends for two, driving for more than another hour, and visiting again with more friends and at whose house we spent the night. Well, that last hour of driving found us in sad shape. Let's just say we've got pictures of me doing the eggbeater to 80's music driving our wagon down the interstate. We've got pictures of Andie, in the passenger's seat, doing the Hammer dance. The dog actually forced his head beneath the blankets in the back seat and refused to move until mental stability had returned to the captain's quarters. Poor dog.

There were, of course, normal times, even good times. While up north, we visited Andie's former camp, called Manitowish, and wandered around the area for a few days of camping, canoeing, and fishing. Our favorite times were in the evenings when the loon would let out its haunting call over the open water. There is something entirely unique about the North Woods. We left the north to news of my sister Dani's first child, Natalie Marie, being born; we shared the first few days with them at their home in Oshkosh, along with the rest of my immediate family. I do believe Andie and I ate and laughed more in those few days than we've done in a long time.

Unfortunately I've just been given the nod, so I need to wrap up. Tomorrow we go fishing with Andie's Dad and Grandpa, the four of us in one small boat. Hopefully none of us comes back with new earings.

Monday, August 6, 2007

Boredom Untold

To those in the area who are looking to solve their sleep problems, I will be speaking August 12 at 9:30 at East Clarno Methodist Church. The talk is titled, "2 Samuel 11: The Purpose of Privilege." Following the event will be a brunch gathering at my grandparents' home on Five Corner Rd which, in all honesty, is the only reason I'm going.

Saturday, August 4, 2007

We Made It!

Hello Friends!

This is a bit overdue, but AJ and I wanted to share that we made it to Wisconsin safely on Wednesday evening (August 1st). We like to say we made it in record SLOW time! It was one of the longer 16 hour stretches we ever remembered....but we made it! Phew! We're already missing our beloved family of friends, but we're continually reminding ourselves that we are blessed to have had the opportunity to live in Denver in the first place. It was a true blessing to us! It has also been a blessing reconnecting with family and friends in Wisconsin. It made me laugh thinking of all the things we'd forgotten about Wisconsin, like:

1. The mosquito really is the state bird
2. It's so humid your hair curls
3. We can now recognize our accents!
4. Folks here know how to eat...and offer more!
5. There is so much road kill...it's so sad!
6. This IS Packer Country...everyone's mailboxes, flags, and lawn ornaments prove it!

I wish I could remember all of the other observations...but I'm coming up blank!

AJ and I wanted to sincerely thank our friends for thinking of us during our time of transition...including the Witte's who hosted a lovely Going Away Party for us (and thank you everyone who attended...we LOVED it!), Janee's yummy bread and muffins, Lonnalee's awesome peanut butter cookies, Heather's "hotel" and sweet hospitality, the Seibel's coffee pick-me-ups along the way, Jo's wonderful scents, Thao's beautiful jewelry, and many others. Thank you!! Please stay in touch! We love you guys...

AJ & Andie

P.S. WELCOME BACK STEVE HUNT!!!

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

4 Summer Nights!

Our church, the Littleton Bible Chapel, recently held their annual summer teaching classes called 4 Summer Nights. We were thrilled that AJ was granted the opportunity to teach a session on The Stories of God: Understanding Old Testament Stories. It was a great time of learning, discussing, asking questions, and stretching our minds around some of the happenings before Christ, as well as the connection between the Old and New Testaments. I was really impressed with AJ's teaching...he has a true gift! We're excited to see him spread his wings in his own classroom someday!!

4 Summer Nights is not complete without some desserts prepared by our friends Laura (with daughter Annie) and Lonnalee (they're also sister-in-laws)!! Thank you ladies! [Dad - I thought you'd get a kick out of Laura's apron!]