Friends...

Well, dear friends, I last wrote you a little over a week ago. Time has passed and some events, both small and large have occurred! First - thanks again to those of you who have sent books this week - its been great to get packages every couple of days! (Thanks Seun, I got the compass back JUST before going on a hike - it came in VERY handy!) In some ways, life is settling in here. I go on walks or bike rides with my new friend Jennifer (next door neighbor) a couple of times a week; I've started a Tae Kwon Do class in my gym Monday and Wednesday evenings; I go to the gym most mornings, do e-mail in the afternoon, watch TV a while, check e-mail, and be available to whatever comes up. Sounds boring, I know, but it's nice to have any routine right now.

My pool of people is beginning to expand. I went back to Centennial Covenant Church this week and loved it again, so I'm thinking I may not do as much 'shopping' as I thought I'd have to do. Folks are beginning to talk to me a little more and I'm feeling a little more comfortable there. I went to a 'Jazz, Arts and Sunset' event at the church this past Sunday evening with Jennifer and got to talk to a few more people. Each day a little more comes together, usually when I'm not looking.


This was a special week for me as I had my first guest out from RI. Julie McMurry came out after a conference she was attending in 'the area' (she was in Wyoming - which around here is fairly close by, by CO standards!) and had to fly out of the Denver Airport. We had about 3 days together of hiking (Garden of the Gods (above is a pic from the park - it's called the Kissing Camel! we also went to Red Rocks and Bear Creek), vegging, and exploring. It was good to have a friend nearby. Julie took me horseback riding for my B-day, but it was her first time on a horse; I had the best of all my worlds - someone to worry over, nature and a horse!

Prayer requests for this week:
-For a good time connecting with Amanda, a 3rd yr Denver Seminary (DenSem) student I will be meeting for lunch this week - she's a rare female MDiv student, so I'm looking forward to gleaning from her experience what I can about being in the minority in our program.
-For my school Orientation - this Friday 8/26
-For the school picnic on Saturday 8/27 (I really don't enjoy smooze fests, so pray that I have a great time and that it can be a time of use/ joy for all of us and not a time of awkward survival) (pray for my attitude about this...)

Thanks guys - you all bless me SO MUCH. Thank you for praying for me and staying in touch - I am truly blessed.