Merry CHRISTmas!

I love hearing angel stories. I've heard two recently that have touched my heart. First, my mother, who prays to Jesus for angels to watch over her, was told by a patient at the hospital where she works, that she saw angels all around my mom. It was really a neat feeling to hear this. Second, there is a news story circulating about a hospitalized child who was very near death. They were considering pulling her off life support, when an angel showed up (who was caught on the security camera as well as witnessed by a doctor and a nurse). The girl was healed within an hour! The captured image is a bright light that is undeniably shaped like an angel with a head, two wings, and a robe that touched to the floor. Praise Jesus! You should search for the article and see for yourself.

Christmas was wonderful. We spent the whole day between our two mother's houses. We will be spending Saturday with my Dad's side, and I look forward to meeting his new girlfriend! I'm so happy for for my Pops!

Watching family open gifts was the most fun, especially since we generally went with a light-hearted approach this year. (haha!)

We received many wonderful and thoughtful gifts, so to those reading, thank you so much! What a great day.

Bently is doing well. We are working on teaching him more commands. His face is getting really furry and furry = adorable. Marcus and I are both deeply attached. Bently is very loyal and likes to be right in the middle of whatever's going on.

Please keep Jesus in your heart and be thankful for his many blessings.

update

Thanksgiving with my mom's side was good. Lots of family and fun time. Marcus and I hovered under the radar on the actual holiday and made our own feast.

We've been doing Christmas shopping and have just a few more people to buy for. I'm one of those people who prefer online shopping, so the people that deliver mail are getting to know me on a first name basis. Maybe that's not a good sign, but I love the flexibility!

Marcus and I splurged on new running shoes. Our new beloved brand is New Balance. Hopefully we'll start to balance out the money that been electronically deducted from our bank account by going to the YMCA more frequently in the near future.

Our dog is a maniac. He has super freak tendencies where he bites anything, charges full speed around the house, chases his tails, and arguably barks louder than any other dog. I treasure the calm and sweet moments that occasionally happen. He's still really adorable, that helps too.

Marcus' car is an pretty funny topic. He drives it diligently even though he has to cover himself with a big towel because it leaks melted snow. Also the bottom is rusted out, so he has to worry about potentially falling though and getting his butt burned by the pavement. It keeps starting though, and hopefully God will open up a door to a good deal.

God's been really good to us though, and we've been learning a lot through this class we've been going to on Wednesday evenings.

Enjoy the last month of 2008!

Dressing my dog up!

I was so happy to see my midterm grade: 99.17% ! God is good!

I have such a solid "A" in my chemistry class. It feels very nice.

Bently is growing fast. We bought him his first sweater yesterday. It's soo cute.

Happy 2 Months, Bently!

Bently is growing so fast. Today is his 2 month birthday! He's such a good dog.

I got a job offer today! I'm going to start working part-time at Chase bank, in South Bend. I'm pretty excited. They're willing to work around my classes, so I can continue on with my nursing degree. The hours are great, everything is just working out so nicely. Praise God.

Bently

Here is our new Westie pup, Bently. He's 8 weeks old and adorable!

Chewing on one of his bones.

It's cute to see him fit that whole ball in his tiny mouth.

I love his paws.

Making friends with the toy squirrel.

Look at his bent ear! We picked a perfect name before we even met him!

Our sweet baby.

La Casa de Vigil

Here's a couple pictures of our place. It's coming along nicely. We're livin' the vida fantástico.

Marcus & the C.I.A

We love our new home.
I've been running the washer, dryer, and dishwasher all day. What a luxury!

Lots of love and thankfulness goes out to my mom and Keith for our “new bedroom”. Marcus said today that he’s been getting the best sleep of his life, and I can attest that everything about the whole room is amazing. Our bedroom looks like something out of a magazine. We LOVE it!

Marcus, a rookie, played softball this summer for our church. We both knew he grew a lot as a player, and I guess his team noticed him too. On Sunday, the team stood in front of the church and two awards were given out. One was for Marcus! He got an emotional “Christ in Action” award, which means that his actions on the team most resembled that of Christ. He was very surprised and later told me it was the most meaningful reward he’d ever been given. I’m so proud of him. I believe that God has big plans for his life. I also feel very committed and “at home” with our church.

God is also pulling me through Chemistry. I’ve gotten A’s on my last two labs, which only encourages me that I’m going in the right direction.

Walker Wedding

Jack, my cousin, got married yesterday. His bride is Anita, and she is very nice. It was great to see them tie the knot and I wish them an abundance of happiness. I think they make a good pair.

-------------------------------------Click photo to enlarge-------------------------------------

From Left: Jacob (brother), Dad, Grandpa Bob, Grandma, Anita, Jack, Mindy (aunt), Sherman (uncle), Rebekah (cousin), Nickolas (2nd cousin), and Mike (cousin's husband)

Unfortunately, Charles, Kelsey, Marcus, and myself had already left when this photo was taken.

What a memorable night! If they read this-- congratulations!!

Bananas, Eggs, & Lettuce Heads

We have a small town grocery store just a minute or two from our current apartment. The people there are SO nice. I've made a couple trips to pick up their free empty boxes (for our moving needs). Last time they loaded me up with the best egg boxes ever! They come with handles and a divider inside! Yes, I know, they are fabulous.

The second time I went they loaded me up with mostly banana boxes, but a few various ones, including some that housed lettuce heads. I don’t know why I think that’s so hilarious. I've been competing with some man for their extra boxes. He keeps getting to the store earlier in the morning than me, probably scooping up the best ones.

Marcus was not happy about the banana boxes. He was worried that exotic bugs would be lurking in the dark crevices.

Anyway, that was the excitement of my day. I spent three hours in a chemistry class, or lab, and it was insane. I was stressed we wouldn't have enough time to finish our experiments, which would lead to us getting point deductions, and I'm determined to get an "A". (God's going to help me with that..isn't He amazing!?)

So we are looking to move earlier than thought. How does September 20 sound? mmhmm... I know, it sounds great.

xoXo,

hv

Approved

We got approved for the apartment! We're super excited. We were really hoping it all would go smooth and it did. Thank Jesus! We hope to be moved in by the end of this month!

So it's funny because when I turned 16 I got a Michigan driver's license, had to test and get an Indiana one when I was 17, moved back to Michigan when I was 21, and now am moving back to Indiana again at 23! So I'm guessing I'll have to test again at the bureau. Yuck. It's worth it though.

The landlord is allowing us to have a dog, so I'm eager to jump at that opportunity.

Gorgeous Apartment

I start my chemistry class tomorrow! I am starting on a path that will be great and rewarding.

We are in the process of getting a new apartment in Indiana. Marcus and I are in love with it. It has lots of windows, oak and ceramic floors, TWO bedrooms, a huge porch, etc. We are mailing the landlord our application tomorrow, and praying that it works out. Here are a couple pictures:

Introduction

Introductions are tricky, but alas, a brief rundown of the recent past:
Marcus and I just celebrated our two year anniversary. We’re two peas living in a very tiny pod in the mitten-shaped state. We met in high school, married in college, and now we’re living in the real world, trying to find our niche. I shouldn’t say we, because he has found a career he’s passionate about already. He’s been a loyal employee for his company for almost a year. He loves it and I don’t blame him.

Me? I’ve had a change of heart. With a figurative doink on the head, I’ve come to find a fascination with nursing. The more I look into it, the more I feel a natural pull toward it. See, I’ve never known for sure what I wanted to “be” when I grew up.. but now that I’m unfolding what I don’t want to be, I can appreciate the seriousness that will be had while I go back to educationally rebuild my future.

Life is hard, but it’s a good life. I look forward to keeping this written memento.
God never has a plan B. (thanks SR)

xoXo-hv