BG is no Paris

There's a great organization called Global Connections that serves the international community in BG. One of the services they provide is airport pick-up and temporary housing from the time international students get into BG until they can move into the residence hall or find an apt. Ben and I had signed up for temp. housing last summer and didn't get called, but we did this year! Lukka is from Paris, France. Not just outside of Pairs, or near Paris, but IN Paris. So as we drove home from the airport I thought, "How do you describe Bowling Green, OH to someone from one of the most highly acclaimed places in the world?" All I could muster up about BG was "It's no Paris..."

All in all, the experience was great. It was almost like having a kid. Making sure he had a key if we're not home, had a ride to and fro, what time will you be home for dinner?, etc. Being a part of the Alliance church has done wonders for me actually getting my eyes opened to this world of missionaries and how desperately they need our prayers, where they live, and what it's like there. And then interacting with a person from a very different place who has traveled the world and knows all about the US and its politics really makes me aware of just HOW uncultured I am. How self absorbed I am. I'm pretty convinced most of America is, but do we really realize that the rest of the world outside the states has its eyes on us? Just a crazy thought for me.

Be sure to ask us more about our experience sometime. We've got some good stories.

Mouse/Mice Update

Ben did a great job summarizing these past weeks, minus one important event. Let's just call it revenge. We all know the mice first devoured the Dove Dark Chocolate Promises, which are a true luxury in our home. But once the rubber spatula and silicon pastry brush were destroyed, it was on. Of course when I picked up the pack of mouse traps at the store I had to stare at the grotesque illustration on the package. I dropped the traps. I choked. I couldn't buy them. Sure, these mice were eating their way through my kitchen drawers, but the thought of one of those furry little bodies contorted in a quick and cruel trap. I just couldn't do it. I didn't have such an issue w/poison, though. After a few days of clearing out the drawers and placing trays of "bait", our mouse problems ended. And we never had to see or touch our secret visitors :)

Like Ben mentioned in the previous post, Mom and Bill's wedding was wonderful. Click here to see pictures of this lovely event.

Also, please note that the orange dress I am wearing in the pics was almost taken off of me at another wedding we went to yesterday. To make a long story short, we were at a wedding of one of Ben's friends from his cohort, and this lady (who was a therapist- go figure) at our table mentioned to me that she wanted my dress. I told her she could get it a JCrew.com (which I don't think she's ever heard of). And then she calmly and with a hint of malice replied, "No, I WANT THE ONE YOU ARE WEARING". We never cease to encounter someone.... unique, at weddings we attend. Maybe we should compile a book of short stories. Seriously.

I Blinked and August was Half-Gone

Greetings,

A lot has happened since I last entered the realm of blog. I mentioned August would be an eventful month and that has proved accurate. Here are a few minor updates: I (Ben) survived the last week of the summer term--writing something like 7 papers in 7 days get tiring. However, you'll be happy to know that I earned A's. (I just checked my grade--yee haw).

I also squeezed in a sermon at the BGC&MA. The sermon was about repentance with the Psalms as the main text. To want God no matter what the costs--I am coming to the realization that this is life. Now if my heart and actions will follow.

We also attended the wedding of my mother-in-law, Leslie. Sara, I'm sure, will have much to blog about this (and pictures!). I had the honor of reading a beautiful passage of scripture from Romans 5:1-5. It was a great wedding and great time.

And then this past week, Mr. Josh Coy was in town for a few days. Lots of laughs, prayers, and eating. He is quite the chef these days. He cooked us a "rustic" Italian meal in our own home with the Seifferts and the Kesslers joining us. I think the most enlightening moment was finding out Josh was placed on popcorn probation in his last days in Nashville.