Rounding out 2007

I was recently chastised for getting behind on the posts... glad to know I have an expectant audience. Sorry for my silence... here's a quick update on the past month or so:

The fun times continued in St. Louis through the end of the year. A few friends and I spent an evening in December enjoying "Wild Lights" at the St. Louis Zoo. It was a beautiful sight, but I was a little sad the monkeys weren't out. Guess 30 degree weather doesn't suit them.



2007 ended with a holiday trip to Kennesaw to spend Christmas with my family. It was a great time:

My mom- the chef...It's not in focus, but I love this picture of me and my brother...It's tough to get a dog to pose...
My construction degree being put to use on a Gingerbread House...My parents are cute...Lexie loved her present from Grammy and Poppy...Family togetherness, brought to you by Nintendo...
I also took a few days to visit friends in Tennessee and Virginia-- it did my heart good to see the mountains again, and to briefly pass through Blacksburg to see my beloved Virginia Tech.

I returned to St. Louis in time to celebrate the New Year with friends on staff. We spent the first minutes of 2008 on the roof of our Ministry Center watching fireworks and listening to the celebratory sprays of gunfire across the city. It was weird and possibly a bit dangerous, but definitely made for moments to remember.

Our programs started up again in full force last week. I'm getting used to a new, fuller schedule that now includes running a Homework Hour to tutor kids in the community and assist them with school work, two weekly Bible Club sessions, taking a class through The Urban Ministry Institute, and continuing my involvement in a community group through the church I attend, The Journey. The new schedule called for me to switch my weekly day off back to Mondays which I thoroughly enjoyed yesterday as I was able to go shopping without fighting crowds and traffic.

So that's the latest. Hope you all enjoyed a wonderful holiday... Merry Christmas and Happy New Year (better late than never)!