getting ready...

We finally (after 1 year and 4 months) have a microwave...thanks to the Asbury Inn updating their appliances. We did fine for the past year+ without one, but we didn't know how much we missed one until we had it again. Tasks such as popping popcorn, melting butter, heating leftovers, etc, have involved a much longer process over the past year. Neither of us had a microwave when we got married and even though it was on our "wish list", it was never really a priority. Thankfully, we now have a wonderful gadget that will help in the efficiency of our kitchen! (If you're laughing at us, you're not the first...we have had many laugh with us over the past few days as we've shared our excitement). And, for those of you who have visited and experienced our very uncomfortable, poor quality futon...we have also recentely added a new (COMFORTABLE) couch to our living room. We are amazed at how God is continuing to fill our apartment with the items on our "wish list", to make it a little more comfortable. He provides for us in so many ways and we are continually reminded of this truth.

It's a busy week for us as we prepare for the upcoming semester. We're trying to get things in order at home for a smooth transition into the semester and Kristen is keeping busy at work preparing for visitors and new students coming to campus this week. She will be involved in some of the activities of new student orientation and we will both attend as much of it as "new students" as possible. We are excited for this time and look forward to all that is ahead. We'll also be heading to Bloomington this weekend for a visit with family.

Hope you all have a fun Labor Day weekend!

August 2008

brief hello...

We're house/dog sitting for two families this weekend. We are happy to finally have a weekend to enjoy staying put in Wilmore without traveling, and even though we're not technically at the apartment, we're having fun hopping between houses and playing with the animals. It's relaxing to put everything aside and play fetch with the dogs every now and then. We're getting together with some friends tonight, which is nice since we've been gone a lot and not had a whole lot of time to hang out.

The town is filling up with students at Asbury College and the Seminary. Most, if not all, of the college kids are back, which totally changes the feel of Wilmore. It's great to have the streets crowded again and people moving about. We loved the quiet summer, but we are ready for the fall semester to begin. Classes start for us at the Seminary on September 2nd.

One last note for fun...earlier this week the staff at work were served watermelon one afternoon as a fun summer treat. Though I opted out of the watermelon, I couldn't resist going when I heard about the Nutria that was partaking in the celebration. As far as we can tell this animal was not a pet and randomly stumbled upon the watermelon social for his own little enjoyment. Though I didn't get any pictures of the little guy eating away at our watermelon, here is a picture in case you have no clue what I am talking about (I know I had never heard of it before)!

keeping up...

We're back! We just wanted to take a few minutes to bring you up to speed with what is going on with us. We've been busy with working and traveling, which has kept us quite occupied. We both continue to enjoy or jobs and the people we work with---we are so blessed. We continue to feel more settled with each passing day as we get more and more into a routine and learn our way around the area...just in time for classes to start and for us to learn a new routine! haha! Two weeks ago we had the opportunity to travel to Maryland for a quick weekend trip for Kristen's cousin's wedding. It was a beautiful wedding on the 18th hole of a golf course and we really enjoyed visiting with family and friends. This past weekend we drove up to Marion, IN to visit friends we hadn't seen in a long while. It was a busy weekend as we met with so many people in such a short period of time, but we left our time there feeling refreshed and encouraged.

It looks like we'll be back on the road again in a couple weeks as we travel home to visit family and friends in Bloomington one last time before the semester begins on September 2nd.

Thanks for checking in on us!

Our Treasure Map...

A windy...sometimes bumpy...always worth it, road! After over a year of making our way to Seminary, it is such a blessing to finally be here. Though there have been bumps (new directions, paperwork, jobs, etc) it's well worth it to see how God has traveled with us on this road...and He continues to do so. Things are continuing to go well with us as we settle into our life here in Wilmore. We are both enjoying our jobs (Viktor working at UPS and Kristen working in the Admissions Office at Asbury Seminary) and are preparing for the upcoming semester. Just today we received a note from one of our faithful supporters and in her card was a piece of our last prayer letter that she had cut out and crossed off items of our prayer request list. It was such a blessing to have that visual reminder of how God is answering prayer and to be reminded of so many people who faithfully carry us in prayer on a daily basis. We could not be here without you! We have a busy month ahead with a trip to Maryland for Kristen's cousin's wedding, a trip to Marion, IN to visit friends that we have not seen for over a year, and New Student Orientation at the end of the month. Lord willing we both (Viktor for sure) will be taking classes this fall.

This summer we've had an opportunity to be a part of a spouse and family ministry at Asbury called Alpha Marriage. We have some friends who have gone through it in the past and are now the leaders, and they recommended we go through it as we start this new season in our life together. We get together once a week with other married couples from the Seminary and learn more about each other, marriage, and how it relates to our ministry. Each week a different couple shares a marriage map about their marriage relationship and this past week was our turn. It was so fun to draft, create, and present our story. We have titled our map, "our treasure map"...which we think explains itself!

Enjoy...

A Knock at the Door...

There is never really a dull moment when you live in an apartment building full of people who study full-time and have no other outlet than to come up with fun, practical jokes...so this begins our newest blog entry...a few weeks ago when dining with our friends, Dan and Steph (who happen to be IWU alum, so you already know they are great people!), at Subway, Kristen stumbled across a toy car in the middle of the parking lot. In an effort to cheer Steph up on her way to work (it was Sunday afternoon) Kristen gave her the small car as a gift. Steph proudly displayed the car on her dashboard and drove away. Never did we think that a month later this car would bring such laughter and excitement to our lives. That evening when out for a walk, Viktor noticed that the toy car had been gently placed on our windshield wiper...and so the fun began. We decided that we would package the small car in a large box and send it through campus mail as a surprise gift back at Dan and Steph. Who doesn't enjoy getting packages when you're away at school?!?! :) We believe we were spreading a little extra cheer with all the excitement that comes with receiving a package, but we must say that their next endeavor was much more creative than sending a package. A few nights ago we were sitting in our apartment watching a movie when we suddenly were startled from a large bang. Viktor got up to see if something had fallen off the wall, but nothing seemed out of the norm. We didn't think it sounded like a knock at the door, but when nothing else proved to be out of place, we opened the door to find a special surprise. Just as we were standing over the masterpiece at our feet, we could hear a bunch of commotion on the first floor...that would've been Dan and Steph running back to their apartment from their 4th floor delivery. For those of you who enjoy The Office... you will appreciate these pictures...(the car is embedded in jello)..

We're so thankful for the friends that we've been blessed with and the fun we have together!

4th of July...

So, we've slacked off a little bit this past week (almost two) with updating the blog. After Kristen started her new job last Monday (which is going great, by the way), we've been adjusting to a full work load. Anyways, before another day slips away, we wanted to share some pictures from our rainy 4th of July holiday with the Waggoners. If you've never been to a small town parade you should join us next year in Wilmore! Nathan, Cydil, and Ellie live right across the street from the start of the parade, so we had front row seats to watch the parade and enjoy warm cinnamon rolls together! Enjoy...

Here is the line-up...getting ready to go!

Here is a group of men who do a choreographed march with their lawnmowers...

Nathan and Ellie in the rain...he is such a good dad!
Nathan protecting himself from flying candy, while Ellie protects her ears from the sirens...
Ellie happy about all the candy she received!

quick update...

I (Kristen) wanted to post a quick update to those of you who have been following...I had an interview yesterday (Wed.) at the Seminary for a position in the Admission's Office and was just notified this morning that I have the job! I will start on Monday as the Communication's Associate...and I am SO excited! I'm not only excited to have a job, but also to have a job that I will enjoy...I believe this position is a great fit for me. My desire from the time of our visit last October was to work for the Seminary, so I am just so blessed! I was able to interview with the entire Admission's staff yesterday and was so blessed by the time together...I'm excited to be a part of the team! Thank you for keeping us in your prayers as we've been looking for jobs...please continue to pray for us as we learn our new positions.

Have a great weekend!