Senioritis

Today marks the beginning of our last year of seminary!  Well...obviously Nate is the only student in our household, but since I'm along for the ride I call it "our".

I tried to talk Nate into letting me take a picture of him with his backpack to document his first day back to school, and he laughed...but didn't make any move to put that backpack on.  All the cool kids have their pictures posted online, but I guess he didn't want to join their ranks.  So you will just have to use your imagination and put together the details: a blue backpack, cargo shorts, a big dimply smile.  SO CUTE!  

And just like every school year, change is part of every new semester.  There are similar patterns and routines, but new class schedules and people to meet as well.  And this school year will be especially exciting as we explore what we will do after Nate graduates.  Whatever that might be, I know it will be an incredible time of growth in our marriage.  After all, we met, dated, and married all while Nate has been doing his schooling.  We will have to explore our new roles and expectations as we will both (hopefully!) be working full time and Nate will be looking to enter full time ministry at a church.

No matter what, we know will be moving next summer as we've been living in student housing.  So when there is no more student status = no more housing.  But that's also pretty exciting!  I've historically given my family and friends plenty opportunities to show how much they love me by patiently moving me from one place to the next.  I think there was a stretch of about 2 years that I moved 3-4 times.  It's somewhat amazing that Dad showed up with his truck every time to do the heavy lifting.  That's love!  So knowing that we will be moving from our apartment a year from now....I've already found myself intently pouring over IKEA catalogs and misc. magazines that hit our doorstep wondering what fun ideas I might try in our next place.  I have to keep slapping my hands from longingly stroking the page with the beautiful back porch with a hanging swing, and tell myself "No!  You have no idea if you will even have a back patio! Don't get any ideas..."

But these internal conversations tell me that Nate is not the only one who will be suffering from senioritis this year.  I'm already displaying symptoms myself.

Photo Tour of Guam

Our trip to Guam was a great one and here area few snapshots of what happened during our two weeks there!

Here are some shots from the VBS during our first week. 

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Practicing the dances to songs they learned 
for an end of the week program, 
they loved this and did a great job.

Craft time

We also took a hike with the youth.  It was unlike any hiking that I had done before...but what is the saying??  What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger?

...I'm a stronger person now. 

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Me.  Happy to be heading back.

We made it!  The Spanish bridge at the Sella Bay.
You see one of the puppies that followed us down and back up,
they were dedicated. 

A view of the bay from the water,
I'm catching my breath on the shore with Ami

We took a kayaking trip up the Talafofo River with several couples which was a lot of fun, and MUCH easier to cool off than the hiking trip!

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Nate cooling off

3 of the 4 kayaks, Tabby and Eli in the red one,
me and Nate, Gwen and Gary.
Analynn and Eli took the picture for us.

Taking a break and having a swim.

We spent the day with a friend with access to the Air Force and Navy Base and he gave us a great our with great views!

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One of my favorite pictures.  I loved this view!!
We were at a lookout point on the Air Force base.

An abandoned well that used to be a source of fresh water.
It was pretty cool to see...
the water around the facility was so clear and still,
you could see right to the bottom

This was still at the abandoned well,
I was so amazed at the roots of these trees
that stretched so far to get to the water below.
It looked so neat.

A B52 on display on the base.

I took this shot of the beautiful palm
I sat near whileNate and Ryan
took a dive at the Navy Base

Ryan and Nate preparing for their dive.
Ryan showing off his knife in case
 any of those fishies try anything.
If only Nate had one too.  ;)

 The tour of the south side of the island

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Inarajan Pools, A really intriguing spot!
Filled by the high tide but surrounded by rock.
There is a diving platform to enjoy here too.

View from the top of the old Spanish fort.  I love this shot.

Umatac Bay.

 And last but not least...our anniversary fell during our time in Guam. 

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We had a special dinner with this fabulous dessert
 to celebrate the occasion 

I can't help but show the coffee we had with dessert.
It was made in front of us
with this  completely unique coffee maker!
I have never seen anything like it.

The beach we enjoyed by the Westin!