BBQ's

In the last two weeks I think we have been to 4 bbq's. It has been awesome meeting so many new people and eating such great food. Three have been with the church that Paul is now working for and one was a neighborhood party. We actually met a really nice couple about our age with two children and who are believers that live near us. We are planning on hanging out with them soon!

Paul did one of his favorite things, biked 100 miles. He rode with a friend in the Alpine Century a couple Saturday's ago. Most running and biking and triathlon events are on Sunday's, and now that he is working Sunday's we are limited to things happening on Saturday's, but that is ok.


School starts very soon. Teachers are to be back Monday and students come back the following Tuesday, however I have already been going in some the last couple of weeks. We had been storing all my classroom stuff in our garage over the summer, so I have returned it all and am in the process of organizing. I am excited for a new year, and I think I am ready for the new challenge of teaching younger students and teaching a blend.

Oh, and I wanted to start sharing some recipes. Paul and I love to cook, and we especially love to cook from scratch when we have time. So we will be posting some of our creations, but I am too tired right now to write one out; stay tuned!

Our trip: take 3 I think :)

Ok...see if this works. If not I will try another way...sorry!

Click here to view these pictures larger

Pictures

We have been so slow uploading all our photos from our trip back east. Here are just a few and I will get more up there soon!

Click here to view these pictures larger

Changes

Paul and I will be married for 3 years in September. Our first married year was spent in a one bedroom apartment in Corvallis while we both finished up school. Paul graduated that spring, but I had one more term before getting my degree, so we knew that we needed to stay local. We prayed a lot about the direction Paul should go with a career choice. He worked very hard and landed a job with Jeld-Wen right after graduating. Although the downturn in the economy has hit their company hard, the Lord has continued to make it a wonderful place to work for Paul and we are blessed that things have remained steady for his position.

I was finishing up my final term of student teaching in Albany with hopes of maybe continuing to teach there for my first few years out of school. We really felt that the Lord had us in Albany and opened the door for my first teaching job that will continue into this year.

We bought out first home here in Albany last year knowing that we would probably be living here for a few more years. Growing up in Corvallis I never thought I would be living in Albany, however the more we get to know the town the more we have realized just how much outreach the Lord could do through us here. As one couple put it "it is very humbling to live in Albany".

We have been attending NW Hills Community Church in Corvallis ever since we were married. Paul started attending as soon as he went down there for school. It has been a great place for him and us to grow closer to the Lord, and has provided us with many encouraging relationships. However, we have realized that our community now is Albany and have been toying with the idea of looking for a church home in Albany.

About three months ago Paul was approached by a church in Albany who was looking for a Worship Leader. We have been casually looking into the prospect of him doing this part time on top of his job with Jeld-Wen. Through many visits with the Pastor, church and Elders, and much prayer Paul has decided to take on this roll starting this Sunday.

We are excited about this new adventure, but are a bit apprehensive about Paul working 1.5 jobs. Please keep us in your prayers as we transition to a new church and as Paul transitions to working more hours. Thanks, and we will keep you posted!