MOM IS COMING IN
2 DAYS!

YAY!

finally... i'm doing what i said i would do!

jody and i were able to go bike riding with some new friends today! their names are zach and amber, and zach and jody share a few classes at denver seminary. i think there must be a common love of texas here, as both zach and amber are from the great state, as well. in any case, jody and i are thrilled to meet people who enjoy the great outdoors, and so we are hoping this is the first of many rides....

the ride itself was actually quite short, but it was an introduction to riding in the mountains here. i confess i am embarrassed by how challenging it was of a cardio workout for me (the leg workout was easy). with all the spinning i like to do at the gym, it's still nothing like a workout on a real bike on a real hill... that keeps going and going! and also taking the high altitude into consideration. but i am hoping for more rides in the future, where i can really get more apt at this. and one man on the trail said it gets easier in the summer. i wonder if that's true.

in other news, i have interviewed for a nannying position and may soon be starting. i am curious to see what the job may actually entail from day to day, but i have enjoyed meeting each member of the family (including oswald the family's pet pug!). i am praying that God will direct my steps and confirm that this is the right place for me. please be praying for me and the situation!

love to you all. xoxo ruth

A Trip to the River....

Last week Jody and I teamed up with Sam and Britt and their hilarious dachshund Rustie (whom we call 'Wustie Wat' on occasion) and made a trip closer to the mountains to the South Platte River. It was such a fun trip! And the dogs had a blast playing along the trail, sniffing in the brush and attacking each other. Poor Eu-mi does not have as much stamina as Rustie - quite yet - so her main goal was just to keep up with Rustie and even just to chase after Rustie's leash. It was so entertaining!

Jody and I have often mentioned the fact that we would love to get up in the mountains, but it is a challenge to find a big enough block of time. Semester midterms are looming ahead for Jo starting next week, and I am in the middle of interviewing for a possible nannying position. And so I find the greatest challenge is just being available to meet for interviews at any time - and therefore not booking my schedule too much. The excuses are just that.... excuses... but we truly do hope that once life settles into a routine and I find a job, that we can begin to budget for little excursions up into the mountains or into downtown Denver for fun trips.

LOVE to YOU ALL!

At the River with Rustie!

Eu-mi playing fetch!

denver seminary...

behind the school there is a beautiful bike trail that stretches miles and miles both north and south of denver seminary. serious road bikers pack the trail, along with runners, walkers and families just taking their children or dogs for walks. from the house it is very easy to get to the school - about 8-10 minutes.

the mountains!

the back of the school - i think the buildings here are seminary housing

(L) the main academic building and chapel and (R) the library, cafe and bookstore ... those big windows to the right are actually doors that fold open on beautiful days. it's pretty sweet!

(L) the administrative and professors offices, (Middle) seminary housing, and (R) the academic buildings/chapel

straight ahead is the library, cafe and bookstore

the administrative/office building straight on, and yes, that is a fake, plastic coyote on a stick in the yard. it's to scare off the geese, which plague the littleton area. if only we could shoot them!

I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.
Psalm 9,2

Jody and I are loving the time we have spent here in Colorado so far, and we praise God for His daily provision for our lives. We love our basement apartment, our new little puppy Eu-mi, our bikes (and the paths to ride them on!), and the chance to start life afresh in America. On top of all this, we are so thankful for the chance Jody has to study at Denver Seminary, and we have really enjoyed meeting other students there. There is such diversity in situations - some go part-time and study over five or six years, some go full-time and try to finish in two or three, depending on the degree. Some are married with children, others are couples with no children, and still others are singles. It is so much fun to meet people where they are, and Jody and I are praying for good friends through the school.

While Jody goes to class, reads books and writes papers (repeat x25oo in that order), I do everything I can to keep the house clean, Eu-mi going potty outside, do laundry, make food (as cheaply and creatively as possible!), and job-hunt. But I do everything I can - before I do all that other stuff - to make time with the Lord a top priority. It has been so encouraging for me to sit down and spend time in the Word and to seek His face about His plans for us and for me, personally. I am beginning to see Him heal disappointments and frustrations about Korea, and my faith and hope is being renewed that indeed, His plans are to give me a hope and a future!