A Long Weekend!

Greetings everyone!

A post is long overdue, but I have been recovering from the last week or so!  We have been traveling,

This is what I've been driving for a month!

working, partying and many other things!  For our first month in Texas, we have been driving around in a 15 passanger van that has been teetering on the brink of death for a while now!  We are thankful that the van made it back to Wisconsin without anything breaking down!  We left the Wednesday before the Fourth of July at 4 PM and it took us 7 hours and 30 minutes to get to Wichita, KS!  It was terrible because I was, again, driving with the trailer in bumper to bumper traffic.

After four-ish hour of sleep, Shalyn and I got back on the road at 4 AM and drove all the way to Wisconsin!  It was another 9 hours from Wichita to Boscobel and I will not lie, I am dragging by the end of the journey.  Shalyn on the other hand was sleeping on an inflatable mattress that she blew up in the back of the van.  So naturally, shortly after I got into Boscobel, I slept for about 16 hours!  We had about 24 hours of rest before Shalyn and I had to go to the rehearsal for her brother, Jordan's wedding!  She was a bridesmaid and I was a co-officiant.

Saturday, we were partying at the wedding all day long.  It went smoothly and my brother-in-law is happily married to his lady of choice!  However, the wedding festivities went on until around 9:15 PM and we were getting up at 4 AM to drive back to Texas (Sunday)!  Fortunately, this trip back to Texas was a lot better.  We made it in 15 hours and 15 minutes of straight driving and Shalyn was finally able to help me out!  We had to get Shalyn back to work on Monday morning!  Luckily for me, I had Monday off so I was able to sleep lots and study more Greek.

Needless to say, it was not a particularly restful weekend, but we would not have missed the wedding for anything.  Now, Shalyn and I are working on recovering our strength before my family comes and then Shalyn's family.  No rest for these weary souls.  Shalyn is still loving her job and I am spending a lot of time studying and working.

Until next time!

Michael and Shalyn

An Overdue Post

My wife, Shalyn, has gotten a new job already working at the DTS Library!  This is an ideal job for her because it is quiet and stress-free, but also, she loves the library!  On top of that, it affords me half tuition every year!  That is a super blessing right there!  

I am working for a marketing firm and I've spent the last three weeks primarily assisting in the strategic planning of a convention for one of our larger clients.  I have been titled "Regional Project Manager" which is more of a glorious title than anything else.  Basically, I manage all of the clients that the firm has in the Houston area.  It is a major blessing because once I become self-sufficient (i.e. trained), I get to work most of my hours from home, which will free me from terrible commute times in Dallas and allow me to work easily around my school schedule.  

Needless to say, it has been a major blessing that Shalyn and I have both found employment shortly after arriving in Texas!  Every day that passes, we feel more at home here and we are thanking God daily for how He has provided for us during this turbulent time!  I truly feel that He has confirmed His desire for me to study here and I pray that He will bless my studies and that I might be a blessing to those around me.

Not much else has been happening here in Texas, however I have been afforded opportunities to help other entry DTS students with their transition down here.  I will be helping a new couple move into their apartment this coming Saturday.  

I should make note of HOW HOT IT IS DOWN HERE!  Everyone forewarned me that it was going to be hot, but I must have forgotten what it is like to be nearer to the equator!  Shortly after our arrival, the weather turned to an average of 100 degrees every day (give or take a few degrees) and it has been rough.  To be fair, I am handling it much better than Shalyn, but she really hates the heat.  I'd say that this is as hot as it will be, but everyone is warning me that within a month it will be around 115-120 degrees every day!  I doubt that I am going to leave the house when this happens!  Outrageous.  It is especially bad because I have to walk a quarter mile to get to my vehicle that I am boring, which happens to be a giant 15 passenger van with NO AIR CONDITIONING!  Try to imagine what it is like to drive down the highway in 100 degree weather with no air.  Let me just note that breezes do not help... at all.

Well, this is my life update for the moment!

Inaugural Post

Welcome everyone!  

As the title so subtly hints, this is the inaugural post of the blog that Shalyn and I have committed to writing.  And when I say, "Shalyn and I," what I actually mean is that I decided to do this and I am hopeful that Shalyn might be willing partake in the activities.  We shall see.  Perhaps, you all ought to FaceBook or E-Mail or text her and insist that she adds her womanly touch to this blog.  *fingers crossed*

We are currently two weeks away from our departure date for Dallas, TX!  I am excited but the cleaning and packing has been killing me!  I just got done spending about two hours cleaning the bathroom with Borox, which is phenomenally useful in removing any dirt or grime that builds up in the shower and/or sink.  Although the bathroom is now cleaner than when we had moved in, I have suffered a grevious injury!  A blister on the inside of my thumb!  Add that to the prayer request list!

What else can I say, or type?  Hm....  Oh!  Let it be known that I am not allowed to pack any boxes because I am a "terrible packer."  The upside of my inability to pack is that Shalyn took care of everything.  The downside was that she made me fetch everything for her.  Teamwork!  

Well, I think I am going to sign off and spend a few hours in meditative contemplation!  

*Michael out*