Blessings...

We are immensely blessed. While we have been married for just over eight months, we feel like we are in a perpetual state of honeymoon! Life has certainly continued to whirl by, but we enjoy our precious moments of peace with one another...and of course, with those we love!

Here are a few other ways, in particular, we have been recently blessed:

Chris has been working a great deal on his dissertation proposal - and it looks like he will get his defense scheduled pretty soon! His topic is fascinating, the research is energizing, and we are so excited to watch it develop. Nelson Mandela has said, "education is the most powerful weapon, and you can use it to change the world." As Chris studies the function of higher education in developing countries as a mode of poverty reduction, we certainly agree...

Last week, we had the opportunity to watch two performances by the Spirit of Uganda, a group of 22 students from Uganda (aged 8-22 years) whose families have been directly impacted by AIDS. They travel and perform all over the world to raise awareness of children who have been orphaned as a result of the AIDS epidemic in Africa. Their joy and passion was exhilarating, their talent was phenomenal, and they truly touched our hearts. In fact, by the end of the day, we were ready to adopt Phyllis, a sprightly and spirited fourth grader...alas, in the brief moments we spent with her (Chris became one of her "new best friends,"), she touched our hearts... The group of students was true inspiration to live joyfully as a blessed child of God, despite the circumstances.

Friends Ashley and Nate Tucker form Arizona visited us this past weekend...while it was a short visit, it was wonderful to share an evening with them! Oh how I miss seeing Ashley every day!

Finally, I have recently finished and ordered our wedding album. The photos, some of which I have included here, serve as a constant reminder of the gift that God has granted us, in each other.





Here's to a blessed day!