We've missed you too

Alright, alright... so it has been a long time since we posted last. We have heard a lot of complaining and we are sincerely sorry. However, for every complaint we hear, we of course give ourselves a mental "high five" since this automatically tells us that everyone loves our blog.

Before we get back to the regular posting, let me give a quick run-down of some of the great events that have been happening here on the Isle of Hile.

1) We have been vastly overusing the term "Isle of Hile" when referring to ourselves. It started by others, but it's catching on fast. I have to say, it makes us feel important.

2) We have both been insanely busy. John got through midterms a couple of weeks ago and I had one midterm last week and another this week. So far we are both doing pretty well on the school-front, but a more accurate description is that John is doing well and I am simply trying to hold it together. So far, John has written a couple of sermons for class, one on the parable of the persistant widow, and another on the miracle when Jesus healed Bartimaeus. You can click on the links to read them. I feel left out, so here is a copy of one of my homework problems, although I'm sure the sermons are more enjoyable reading.

3) We took a great weekend away to Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill in KY. This was a family reunion on John's side and it was a good way to get away from things for a couple of days and have some relax time.

4) So John DID end up playing soccer this season! The team had a less-than-winning season but came back in the end to win a game against the arch rival Covenant Seminary. The prize was apparently the Witteneva Cup.

5) The "Poetry and Vision: Reading Isaiah" book of John's that everyone voted for... well this book turned out to be very boring. It's good that you didn't actually have to read it since you voted for it.

6) John has started leading worship at King of Kings about twice a month. He wears a robe (more correctly termed an "alb" whatever that is) and a "collar" and does all of the formal liturgy stuff. It's fun seeing him get into a more leadership role in the church service. He gets compliments all the time from the older ladies on how "soothing" his voice is. :)

7) We finally got our wedding video!!! We and the parents will have copies to lend out for those who want to watch it.

8) Did I mention homework yet?

9) New struts for the car

10) I got a ticket because my license plate tags were apparently past due. So, for those used to the rules in Michigan, your license plate renewal does not correspond to your birthday in MO, so its very hard to remember. Plus, in order to renew your tags you have to take your car to get tested at two different places for emissions and safety and all that (i.e. more $$) plus then go with all of the paperwork to the DMV. Here is how the conversation goes... me: so why are our tags expired? John: OOOhhhh, September. Hence the $80 ticket.

11) It's now fully fall in Missouri. This is really a great time of year here, in the 60's normally so not too cold not too hot. We have gotten into the fall spirit and purchased a perfect looking pumpkin for our porch. Now, the pumpkin idea is apparently catching on. Just last week we were the only ones with a pumpkin in the neighborhood. But our neighbors decided to copy, and they literally one-upped us and they now have two pumpkins sitting out on their porch. But we know we came up with the idea first.