Well it feels like the summer is going very quickly and I must admit, it's bittersweet. On the one hand, I like the slower pace of summer, spending lots of time with Andy, being outside, etc. On the other hand, I'm excited for my second year. I'm anxious to see what life is like as a second year professional. So far, I'm highly optimistic. I think things are really going to be great. I've got a great staff coming in who each have really creative, energetic ideas. I'm more comfortable in my own abilities and definitely more familiar with our operations. Overall, I think life will be great come August!
Andy recently got a bicycle so we've been going on rides in the evenings and we're really enjoying that. We take Spike with us and let him run next to us. We think he really likes the exercise. I'll try to add a picture of Andy's new bike, as well as a new picture of Spike, since we love him so much! haha.
Two Sundays ago I was rebaptized and Andy and I joined Cedar Heights Baptist Church. It has truly been a blessing to find a wonderful church to call home. The ministers are amazing and the congregation is very welcoming. Saturday we went to a bbq with a bunch of our Sunday school class and it was really great. Andy and I have both been thankful to begin making connections outside of the university (not that we don't like our university folk...it's just that we want to get connected to the community as well, since we're planning on being here a while).
I've also taken a few pictures of our apartment, with decorations on the walls and some wedding gifts. I'll try to post those as well, although I'm having a hard time figuring out how to post pictures in the format that I want.
The fourth of July was also fun for us! We had a bbq with some friends and then lit a BUNCH of stuff on fire. We ended the night on the top floor of Bender in one of the student rooms watching the fireworks over the dome. It was definitely a great night.
Now I'm going to get on with trying to post pictures. Hopefully it works out for our faithful few followers.
Until next time,
Ashleigh
