a fresh start

So it has been a while since I have posted anything here, but that is because we've had a pretty busy few months as we settled into our new city. Our move to Toledo has been filled with some really high highs and some pretty low lows since we got here last July, and through it all the Lord has given me some perspective on this whole life-thing. I know that doesn't seem very fair, to sum up a whole year with a statement like that, so I'll try to include some highlights below:

Highlights of our first year in Toledo:

1. Jonah turned TWO!!
That happened back in April, the 23rd to be exact. He is so much fun and his personality has come through so much more now that he can talk! Let's see, Jonah still loves cars and anything with wheels. He moved into the big boy bed about a week ago, and has been doing a great job (he's only fallen asleep on the floor twice!). Now that it is warmer out, he loves going on walks in our neighborhood and playing on the playground at Fort Imagination. We've also been trying to get some use out of our zoo pass, a gift from my grandparents! We will be at Rockbridge, a Young Life Camp in Virginia, for the month of July, and I can't WAIT to spend the month swimming and playing with him!! Two is such a fun age!

Jonah's awesome train birthday cake, made by Grandma Jenelle!!

 

Figuring out how to sleep in the "Big Boy Bed" is tough.

2. Black Swamp!

Exciting news for South Toledo Young Life--we have officially combined with Bowling Green Young Life to form (duh! duh! duh!!!) BLACK SWAMP YOUNG LIFE!! Why Black Swamp, you ask?? No, despite popular belief, it has nothing to do with Dan's longing to live in the bayou of New Orleans and catch alligators for a living. Apparently, this region of Ohio was known as the "Black Swamp" because it used to be underwater (if you really care, you can read more about it here). So, that was enough to convince Dan that this name would adequately represent the vastness of our new area. Well, we definitely got the good end of the deal because the BG leaders and committee are AWESOME!! One couple on committee even moved down the street from us! It has been fun getting to explore the quaint college town of Bowling Green. Dan is currently looking for a new office space in downtown BG and will be spending the majority of his time there next year, running first year and recruiting new leaders. What a blessing we have two universities with 20,000+ students each within 30 miles of each other!! 

The Black Swamp Gang at Timberwolf Leader Weekend 2013 (typical)

 

Ok, I'm really excited to continue to bring you up to speed, but it is almost midnight, and my bed is calling! More to come this week :)