Christmas break has begun

Well I happy to report that all of my homework is done! Steph and I drove to her parents' house this afternoon and plan to spend the week here before heading to NW Iowa to spend time with my family as well. While we are there, we are will have a wedding open house and I will be preaching at Faith CRC in Sioux Center.

In other news, it looks like I can work as a chaplain full time next school year (Sept. 2007-August 2008). I should be done with school at the end of August, but Steph still needs to finish up a year of school to finish up her counseling degree.

HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT CHRISTMAS!!!!

Thanksgiving

Well, I thought I should take my sister-in-law's advice and tell you a bit about my Thanksgiving. In a nutshell, I spent time with the Faw family and got my culture & redneck on.

We had fun hanging with the extended Faw family on Thanksgiving day and I ate my share of turkey, mashed potatoes & pie! On Friday night, we all went to the Nutcracker Ballet in Seattle (culture). It was a great show and we had a good time as a family. On Saturday, we pulled out the shotguns and shot clay pigeons. Okay, I admit I hit more air than clay, but it was fun! Steph and I headed home later that afternoon and caught a beautiful sunset as we were driving through the Columbia Gorge region.

Three weeks until the end of the semester!!!!

An Official Oregonian

Well, the Foci's plates have now turned from WA to OR. This is that last thing that needed to switch over. So I am now an Oregonian! I have been amazed at all of the things that have occurred in my life over the past year. This is one of those last transitions.

Life has been very busy. I am in the last stretch of the semester. I have a ton of papers to write and books to read. I even have some paperwork to get done for my parttime internship at the hospital. Honestly, my motivation is pretty low right now (hence me blogging rather than studying for my take theology exam that is due Monday). I love school and my classes. I think I am just ready to be done with this semester and take a break.

The good news is that Western has treated me great and I should be able to fit in the classes that I need to graduate (they are letting me take a few indepent studies). This means that I am on track to finish up school at the end of next August. The way things are working out I should even be able to take the preaching electives that I want to take too! I feel very grateful for this!

Please keep Steph and I in your prayers! You can pray for patience and motivation for me to finish out the school year:)! Also, we are trying to figure out what we need to do next year and some of the decisions need to be made in the upcoming months!

Thanks & Wedding Photos

My parents are putting a wedding announcement in the NW Iowa papers so I thought I would take a moment to update our website (www.bradandstephvos.com) with some wedding photos. We hope to post more later, but this is at least a start.

It was Steph's birthday yesterday so most of her family came down to celebrate. Her parents, brother & sister-in-law & sister all stayed in our little apartment. We had a great time!

We of course had to do some cleaning before hand since our spare bedroom still had quite a few boxes of stuff. As I cleaned our apartment, I was amazed at how blessed we have been. Those of you who attended our wedding outfitted us with everything we needed. Our apartment is really a testament to your generousity. I was overwhelmed by a sense of gratitude to all of you. I just want to say "THANKS."

Many of you may not know this, but Steph's salary is completely based on the generous support of friends and relatives (http://www.yd.org/adventures/locations/staff_bio.php?page_id=208). Many of you have decided to give to this as well. I can honestly say that we would not be able to pay our bills without it because money is tight. Thinking about everyone who has given to Steph's ministry again makes me feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Again, all I can say is "THANKS."

It been a while

Well, it has been a bit since I have posted. Life is still going well. School and my internship have both cranked into full gear. Steph and I are adjusting to a new rhythme of life. I have 12 hours of class on Monday, work on Tuesday, work & four hours of school on Thursday, and Saturday I am doing some manual labor.

I thought I would post a photo of my fellow CPE hospital interns. It is a good diverse group. I am learning quite a bit about myself and improving my counseling skills in the process. I am working on the 2G, the cardiology floor, so the people I am seeing are definitely in the hospital for some pretty serious reasons.

Married life is still great! I totally feel blessed by my wife and enjoy going through life as a team.

Married for a month!

Steph and I celebrated a month marriage last week. It has been a great transition in my life. I feel very blessed to have her as my wife. We hope to revamp the website soon with some more wedding photos. I will post one here today.

Life has clipped along at a pretty hectic pace. Last week, we sent out about 180 support letters (Steph's salary is completely supported base). We put some more photos in it.

My classes and internship are all in full swing and I have been doing some side labor on Saturdays as well. This week, I am speaking at a high school retreat. Please keep me in your prayers as I prepare. It has been over a year since I have spoken in that setting so I feel a bit rusty. You can also keep us in your prayers as we try to determine which church community we should settle in. We have three that we are strongly considering. Each has their own strengths and weaknesses.

That's about all I got. Sorry I haven't posted quite as regularly. Will try to do so every couple of weeks!

Open House In Mount Vernon This Weekend

Well, it has been a very busy week for Steph and I. I started classes and working at Providence Hospital. Just wanted to let everyone know that we have an open house in Mount Vernon this Saturday. Here is the info.

Dear Friends,

You are invited to an open house to celebrate Brad and Stephanie Vos’ wedding (the former youth pastor at First CRC in Mount Vernon) this coming Saturday, Sept. 16 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. (note the time has moved up from wedding invitations). Drop in to see some photos and video of the big day and congratulate the newlywed couple. It will be an informal open house so you can drop in for five minutes or stay longer. Small snacks and drinks will be served. The open house will be held at Clarence and Eleanor Klunder’s house (720 W Blackburn, MV) next to Mount Vernon Christian and across from the church. If the weather does not cooperate, the open house will be moved to First CRC Mount Vernon’s fellowship hall. We hope you can make it!

Brad & Stephanie Vos

Maps for 1st CRC are at www.firstcrcmv.com

Married & Setting Up The New Place

Well, Stephanie is now officially Mrs. Vos. We were married last week Saturday. Thanks to all of you who were able to make it! Your patience at the reception (for cateerer to serve) was especially appreciated. Steph and I had a great and relaxing honeymoon at Harrison Hot Springs Resort in B.C. and now are trying to get our apartment in order.

Steph is already at work. I start classes next week and my internship at Providence Hospital the following week!

Guess what Grandpa I bought some furniture!

My Grandpa Goemaat is known for asking his grandkids if they are starting look at buying furniture. He always jokes: "You know when you start looking for furniture for your house, your relationship is getting pretty serious." Well, Steph and I are less than two weeks away from our wedding, so according to my Grandpa it makes sense that we have officially started to buy furniture. Thanks to an early wedding gift, we were able to find an incredible deal this weekend via craigslist. A grandmother had passed away and her family was looking to sell her furniture. We got a bedroom set (dresser, night stand and headboard) for the master bedroom and a matching hutch and kitchen table (I didn't know they had to match, thankfully my sister in law informed me of this important fact two weeks ago.). All of it is in immaculate condition as you can see from the photo. I guess we actually got to eat a meal at the dining room table before the ladies family. She won't let them eat because "it was just too prettty."

Well, I hope everything is going well for you. I guess I should get back to my final paper and wedding plans!

Creation & End of Classes

This past Monday was my last class of the summer. It feels good to take a bit of break. I still have two major papers to write, but no more classes until September!

This past weekend, I worked the YD Adventures booth (Steph's organization) at Creation 2006. I had a great time talking with youth pastors and kids. We were in a great location and got some really great contacts. It was some pretty long days, but we got to see the evening bands. My personal favorite was David Crowder. Thought I would post a shot online for you. I also got to hang out with the Mount Vernon and Everett youth groups. It was fun to hang out with the leaders and kids. Even better, they were gracious enough to invite us to eat with them. We got to spend some time with my inlaws as well since they live in the area.

Steph and I are now down to less than three weeks till the big day! Wedding plans are definitely coming along. Some of the local CRC church have let me do some pulpit supply. Yesterday, I preached at Parklane CRC. The week before at Sunnyside. This was a totally new experience. I had never preached in 109 degree weather in a building that did not have airconditioning. Thankfully, they cancelled the evening service because it just would have been too hot. Next week, I am Christ Community CRC in Tualitin.

New Apartment

Well, this weeked was pretty productive. My folks came down and we got me moved into Steph and my new apartment in North Wilsonville. She gets to move in after the wedding :) Still got some boxes to unpack, but it will be nice to not have to move for a year (we signed a lease). This past year has been pretty crazy. I have moved 5 times! The countdown to the wedding is coming soon! We are down to 34 days! Will post some photos after I unpack the cord.

Our New Website

Hey Guys,

Now that wedding invitations are out, I can tell you about our new website. The link is on the right or go to www.bradandstephvos.com. You can RSVP there (we would actually prefer that you do because it is easier to track) for the wedding or open houses and it has other links as well.

Brad

Wedding Invitation are out!

This weekend, Steph, her mom, sister and sister in law cranked out 200 wedding invitations. I did my part as well. Although I was mostly in charge of printing. Here is a photo for you. Our space is very limited. Sorry if you don't get an invite. You all do mean a lot to us and are definitely invited to our open houses in Mount Vernon (Sept 16) and in NW Iowa (Dec. 29).

Sorry for the long delay

Well, I apologize for the long delay in posting anything. I have been very busy this summer semester. Actually, these last two weeks have been exceptionally busy. I am taking summer intensives and overloading with two classes, but to add a bit more stress two of my Hebrew courses overlapped a week so I have been sitting in class 5-7 hours a day and trying to keep up with the homework.

Steph and I have begun our premarital counseling. We found a place to live and are heading home this weekend to crank out wedding invitations. They will be in the mail soon. Honestly, other than that there is not much new to report.

Update

Well, the summer semester has hit hard. I am overloading the first half and am feeling some homework pain right now. I have a ton of reading, a test, a couple of papers and translation homework.

Things are going fairly well. Steph and I just turned in an application for an apartment in Wilsonville. Pray that this goes through. It is the right price and the right location in betwen our her work and my school. We also managed to have fun on the river this past weekend. We did 5-6 runs each day. It rained most of the day, but we were able to keep warm. Even better, the inside of my tents stayed dry!

A couple of prayer requests. 1) That I can get all my stuff done. 2) That we can get this apartment. 3) Steph's back. She got rearended last November and found out last week that she has some bulging disks. She is in pain. They aren't bad (slipped) yet, but she will be meeting with a specialist to find out more.

It has been raining here for the past week so I thought I would post a picture from our 90 weather a few weeks ago.

Wet Plans for the Holiday

Well, school is moving along. Honestly, I can't believe it is almost June. This weekend, I will be heading to a YD training with Steph. I get to do a bit of speaking and whitewater rafting. The only downer about this arrangement is that they predict colder temperatures and rain.

Another semester begins

Well, I have started my summer classes this week. Homework is again upon me! Right now, I am taking two intensive courses (Hebrew Reading & Theology 3) and sitting in on a preaching course. I hope to take either two or three course after these are done and wrap things up near the end of July.

Steph and I went up to Mount Vernon to meet with Rev. Kooy and see a few of the gang. Had fun at a BBQ in Lynden, stopping by First CRC for the a.m. service and eating lunch with some from the old single adult gang. We also registered at Macy's and loaded up the Foci for one final load to Portland. The Foci rolled over 100,000 miles on this trip, but so far she keep going. Thanks to Tracey J. for storing all my stuff!

August 19

Well, the past week has been a hectic one. Steph and I both had our final exams. I had to crank out four tests is a week and three in two days. I have a week off before I start my summer courses and have been working on wedding stuff and formally accepted my CPE (internship) for this Fall.

This past weekend was a great one! We are able to say that Saturday, August 19 will be our wedding day! The time and location are not set in stone. Steph was able to find a wedding dress, bridesmaids dresses and we bought all the paper for our invitations and programs. Honestly, God worked in so many different ways. Here are two stories: Steph's dress had arrived at the dress shop two days before she bought it. No one else had tried it on so they figured they would sell it to her instead of her having to order a new one (could take 4 months). We bought our paper at Paperzone. We thought we were getting a good deal at 15% off. A lady saw we were buying so much and walked up and gave us an additional $10% coupon. Little things like that are very cool!

Easter Weekend

Well, Steph and I had a great Easter hanging out with her family in Eastern WA. We had fun breaking the news to everyone at Easter dinner and hiding eggs and watching her cousins hunt them down Sunday afternoon.

We also hunted down different locations. We are still trying to finalize a wedding date, and will get back to you as soon as possible. We are hoping that we can pull it off the end of this summer, but we will have to wait and see.

Right now, we are trying to make it through the end of the semester. We get done April 28, but have a ton of tests, exams and papers before then.

Photos & Internship

So, good news comes in waves. Had an interview with Providence this morning. Although I was pretty wired from getting engaged the night before, they still decided to offer me a CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) internship. The paperwork isn't final yet we both need to send the official paperwork and I need to pass a background check and drug test. But I was glad they actually let me know before I left.

BIG NEWS! ENGAGEMENT

Tonight, Stephanie Faw agreed to marry me so . . . I’M ENGAGED!!!!!!! Some of you might have gotten calls from others about this. Sorry about that. We had a ton of family to call and I have a big job interview tomorrow morning, so we allowed others to break the news.

Many of you want to know how it happened. I was able to pull off a surprise. I asked her to meet me at Western Seminary’s chapel after class to supposedly take some photos of me speaking for my website. After taking the photos, I went to the piano, and started playing some songs. She came over. I told her that I really didn’t care about the photos, but rather I invited her here because Western Seminary was one of the first places we hung out when we first met. I then pulled out a rose from the piano bench and proceeded to play and sing Joshua Kadison’s Beautiful in my Eyes. (I figured I got piano and vocal skills. I better use them!) Then, dropped down to a knee and asked her to marry me. Thankfully she said “Yes”. Okay well actually, she gave me a hug and a kiss and I had to ask for a verbal “Yes”. So that is the lowdown.

Turning 31

Well, this past Monday was my 31st birthday. It is amazing to think that I was returning from my 2 week trip to Europe a year ago today. Even though I didn't get to travel, I still had a pretty good birthday. Okay, I actually spent the majority of the day finishing up my Theology paper that was due then. But the weekend was pretty good times, Steph and I got to hang out with Jay and Jane Saturday night. Played Killer Bunnies and Settlers of Catan. If you haven't played Killer Bunnies yet -it is way more fun than it sounds. Sunday, Steph and I made Chocolate Angelfood cake from scratch (I may post some photos later this week, forgot to download them to my computer this morning before I headed to school)! It is a Vos family recipe and tradition. This was the first one that I have made that actually turned out the way it should. Guess it helps to have a girlfriend that can bake! Can't wait to head home and eat a piece of this melt in your mouth decadence. Last night, Steph made me a birthday dinner of steak, potatoes, and brocolli. Those of you who know my taste in food know that a meal can't get any better than that!

I would also appreciate your prayers. Friday, I have a big interview at Providence Hospital for a two semester CPE internship. CPE stands for Clinical Pastoral Education. It is basically a pretty intense mentorship program that help you improve your counceling and pastoral skills. I would love to get because it would open up some future doors and meet my internship requirements for school. Providence is close to my house so that would be a great fit. Also, Steph and I are heading to her parent's this weekend to celebrate Easter!

Well, thats all I got for now. Thanks for reading this thing and keeping posted on my life!

I am now officially an Oregonian

Well, Spring Break is over. I turned in a test and big paper yesterday. One more big paper, 3-4 tests, and 3 1/2 weeks and my semester is over! This summer should be pretty busy. I am cramming in as many classes as things still go as planned.

I officially became an Oregonian today. I had to get a new license since my WA was about to expire. Thankfully, I passed my written test. I would hate to wait in that DMV line again.

The only other big news, I have a job interview next Friday. I am hoping to get a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) internship next Fall and Spring. I have an interview with Providence Hospital on Good Friday, so you can keep that in your prayers!

Here's a photo of Steph and one of her college roommates' kids. We got tao hang out with all of them this weekend. That's all I got! Shalom!

Spring Break!

Well, I am happy to announce that my Spring Break has arrived. It is nice a change of pace to be able to hang with my girlfriend at Palio's tonight rather than sit in Theo 2. I love the class, but the company isn't as good.

Steph and I went to Olive Garden on Friday for our anniversery since Sunday was pretty packed with a YD barbeque that afternoon, and I preached at Parklane CRC that night. We did hit a late showing of Syriana at McMennamin's later that night. I feel pretty fortunate to still get to date this great catch!

Today, I finished up my application to Providence Hospital's Clincal Pastoral Education program. I am hoping to get a internship there this fall and spring. Please keep this in your prayers. Now, I am procrastinating from working on my take home test a paper.

This week

Sorry but there really isn't much to report this week. I finished up two of my three tests today. Honestly, I am looking forward to spring break, which starts Friday. I am going to some Portland Global Leadership Conference on Saturday, and preaching at Parklane CRC on Sunday night. But after that, no big plans. It will be nice to kick back for a bit and try and check out some of Portland sites.

The biggest news of this week is that this Sunday, Steph and I will be dating for a year. I don't know what we will do to celebrate, yet.

We made it back!

Well the roads were clear except for the top ten miles of the pass on our way home. We had a good weekend with Steph's family. She had to be a bit flexible for her presentation on Sunday morning. We arrived to teach a Sunday school classe and found out that the city's sewage system backed up and overflowed into her church's basement. Thankfully, they could move everything over to the local high school!

I am busy this week. I finally got caught up after being gone for the past two weekends. Now, I am trying to study for three tests.

Weekend Plans

Steph and I are heading to Quincy, WA tomorrow (Friday) to Sunday. She needs to make a presentation at her church for their missions week. They support her ministry. It is actually snowing here in Portland. It hasn't stuck here yet but the mountains have had some pretty crazy weather. We have to head over the mountains. So please keep us in your prayers as we travel!

CRC Home Missions Results

Well, Steph and I had a great weekend down in Sacramento. It was long, exhausting and a bit nerve-wracking but we made it through. I was approved to be a church planter in the CRC. I was aproved to work in urban, suburban and rural areas. They recommended that I finish my M. Div. and do a CPE, which is a pretty insensive pastoral mentorship program for my final internship. After that, I am free to do my residency to launch a church, or be the lead church planter for an existing group of individuals. I don't have all the details about this stuff yet, but will post more when I find out.

For now, I thought I would post a collage of the weekend. The top left photo is of us and Dave and MaryLynne, who were our main assessors. The other photos are of the rest of the people who were being assesss (like us). We spent some pretty long days on Thurs. & Fri., but were given a few hours off on Saturday afternoon so that the assessors could meet to make their final recommendations. Five couples went down to downtown Sacramento.

Home Missions Assessment Center looms in the near future.

Well, my two take home tests are now in my rear view mirror. I finished them up this weekend. Now, I am staring directly at the my upcoming Home Mission Assessment Center. I think the reality is sinking in of how big this will be for setting my life direction. I need to finish up my sermon and create some handouts and powerpoint presentations. If you want to know more about this process, go to Home Missioins website (http://www.newchurchnet.org/) and click on get an assessment.

Please keep me in your prayers this week and this weekend as Steph and I head down to Sacramento. My prayer is that I can clearly demonstrate my skills and passion and that God will give us great feedback and direction!

Jars Of Clay

So it look like my blog got hijacked a couple of days ago, by the blonde in this picture. I guess its payback for me updating her blog (she didn't post for two whole months). We did end up going to the Jars of Clay concert. I was totally impressed my the show they put on, and the songs that they sang off their new album. A couple wanted to sit by their friends, and so we made the sacrifice traded them our tickets for theirs which were 7 rows from the front right off the center isle (We were like 25 seats back). Oh ya, Derek Webb (formerly of Cadman's Call) and Sara Groves were also great!

The rest of the weekend was spent hanging with Steph's family up in Vancouver, WA. We went to a wedding and just hung out.

Tonight, there are few snow flurries in the air, but I don't think it will be enough to cancel my class and delay my test a week.

My turn to Brag... :)

Hi! It's Steph...I know this isn't my blog site, but I don't keep my own as updated as Brad does...so I thought, as much as this blog site gets read, I might as well log on and post... :) He, he.. :) :) I would just like to say that we had a great Valentines Day together. We had dinner at my house and just relaxed. And I must say that he did just as good with his gift for me... He is either going to take me to a Jars of Clay concert (they are coming to Ptlnd. Friday) or out to dinner on Friday. Dang, I got a good man! :) :) Just had to take my own turn to brag... :) :) Have a great day! Hopefully everyone is enjoying the same sunny weather we are... :) : )

What would every guy like for Valentine's Day?

Well, I just can't help but brag about my girlfriend, Steph, a bit in this email. This is our first Valentine's Day together. We have been togther for almost 11 months. Things couldn't be better, now that I have moved to Portland. Okay, maybe we could live a little closer than a 30 miles away.

But this Valentine's Day I got an awesome gift, we actually celebrated it Sunday night, when she took me to the Everett Silver Tips vs. Portland Winter Hawks WHL Hockey game. You see, I was a big fan of Everett when I lived up in Mount Vernon. Steph knew this and brought me to a game. I was decked out in Green (the silvertips color) and their hat. I got harassed a bit by the local fans, but that is to be expected. I would have posted some pictures, but I forgot my camera because I was so excited to leave the house. It was actually a pretty slow game, but it went into overtime and eventually a shootout. My team lost, but it was a great night with my lady.

On a totally different note, I would totally appreaciate you prayers the next few weeks. I have 3 midterm exams and need to come up with two different presentation for my CRC Home Missions Assessment Center in Sacramento. A praise to report on that front: one of the assistants at CRC Home Missions has allowed Steph to stay in her room, this saves us quite a bit of cash!

Hope you all have a good Valentines Day!

Short Update

Well no pictures of my own today (I did snag one from the web). I wish I would have had my camera out these past few days. The sun has returned to Portland and we have some killer views of Mt St. Hellens & Mt. Hood.

I am just hanging out at Cafe Delirium in Greshem using their WiFi and doing some research for my March assessment center. Please keep this in your prayers. It is only a few weeks away (first week of March). I have to come up with two presentation (a vision statement and a launch sermon) and I also have three exams in the week before we leave.

Hope life is treating you all well!

What would cause me to wear a suitcoat this weekend?

Most of you know that I prefer more of a casual style of dress. So you might find it a bit surprising that I would actually were a suitcoat this weekend. This begs the questions, what is it that would cause be to break out the blue blazer.

Was it the fact that I preached at a local CRC church? Nope, they have a pretty casual style as well. Things went well and I appreciate your prayers!

Was it a ten month anniversary of dating? We did go out for dinner, but jeans were fine.

Then what was it? I attended a Jewish Synagogue (Beth Israel Temple http://www.bethisrael-pdx.org/about.htm) and their Sabbath service on Friday night! I went with my Biblical Cultures and Customs class. It was facinating to see. Afterwards, we went to my professor's house and had a great time hanging out.

Clarification: 10 Month Celebration

So, I sent out a mass email yesterday with my new contact info and a brief sketch of my recent life (if you didn't get it email me and I will send it to you just didn't want to flood you mailbox.). In my haste to get the email out before Palio's Coffee closed and I lost my Internet access, I didn't bother to proofread it. It turns out that I wrote that Steph and I had been dating for 20 months. Hence, a flood of "when are you getting married emails" from those of you had not heard much about this chica.

Today, is an anniversery of sorts for us. However, we have been dating 10 months not 20, and 9 1/2 of those have been long distance.

My First Exam & Sermon in OR!

Well, I survived my first Hebrew exam! I get my Prophets & Gospels take home tomorrow. I have a ton of reading, but so far so good!

Sunday, I will preaching at the CRC church in Tualitin. You can totally keep that in your prayers.

Other than that not too much to report for now!

I am now an Oregonian

Saturday, I loaded up a 6 x 12 Uhaul and moved my stuff down to Portland, so I am officially an Oregonian. Rick D. helped pack the trailer. I was amazed at all the stuff he crammed in there. They guy definitely has future in moving if he gets sick of dry wall. Tracey J. & Brian D. helped load, pull the trailer, unload, and return the trailer. Then Steph helped me set up my room and unpack some boxes. Honestly, things could not have gone any smoother. Thanks guys!

Today, I get to get caught up on my homework. Thankfully, I have off from classes for MLK Jr. Day!

Here are some photos of my house, garage full of stuff and my room.

Here are some pictures

Well, I made it through my second day of classes. Still need to officially register and take care of a few other items, but making some progress.

Thought I would post some of the pictures from the wedding. In case you can't figure it out from the photos. We had a good time!

My first day @ Western

Well, I just had my first day at Western Seminary in Portland (www.westernseminary.edu). I had a orientation in the morning and am now trying to figure out exactly which classes I should take. I am excited to actually get settled into a place again. We rolled into town last night and set up my room temporarily. I haven't officially moved all my stuff down from Mount Vernon yet, so I am sleeping on an air matress and living out of boxes this week. I hope to head up there Friday and move everything down on Saturday.

I haven't posted anything in a while because I have been traveling and I figured the sheep sheering post would be enough for you to chew on for a while. I returned to Washington from Iowa on Tuesday evening. Unfortunately, my luggage did not. Delta was kind enough to deliver it smack dab in the middle of the National Championship Football game on Wednesday night. I packed up the foci Thursday morning and took off for Eastern Washington. I spent this last weekend in Quincy, WA again. Steph's brother got married Saturday so I got to meet her extended family. It was a great time (I will post some dance photos later) and I met a lot of people. Don't really remember everyone's name, but I am hoping that Steph will give me a family tree (flowchart in Engineering terms) so I can attempt to put everyone together.

Well that is all I have to report for now! Hope you all are doing well!