Make A Joyful Noise

Well, today we have been in Georgia for exactly 3 years! I still have trouble spelling it too hehe. I can still remember what it was like to first enter the state, then to first drive up to our house. I had mixed emotions as I was about to enter a totally new lifestyle, complete with new friends, and new places. Being raised in the west for 9 years, then moving to the south was a crazy thoguht. Especially as we drove across the country to live in a state we had never been to! Life here as proven to be somewhat challenging, but knowing it was God's will for us, I wouldn't have it any other way. In this post, I'm going to recap what it was like for our first week in GA. So, I'll start with out first day here; Tuesday, February 28th, 2006.

It was about 2:15 as our family drove into our neighborhood for the first time! I was in awe at how beautiful everything was, including the trees, and even the houses. Finally, as we took the last right turn onto Summerchase Dr., I could never be prepared for what lay ahead for our life. We slowly drove up to our house for the very first time. Over at the Ellises's, Mrs. Ellise, Annie, and Bridgette were sitting outside on their driveway waiting for us. The week before, the Ellise's had graciously offered to keep our house key until we arrived here. So as we pulled into our driveway, and stepped out for the first time, I couldn't believe we had finally made it to GA! After getting all our car stuff inside, the Butlers came and explored our hosue with us. Later Maggie and Camille came home from Timothy. After knowing them for one year by email and letters, we were finally able to meet them in person. Later that day Rachel and Amy came to our house, and I was able to meet Rachel for the first time as well. (I had known her for one year too). That night we had a delicious barbecue at the Butler's house for dinner, and that was a great ending to our first day in GA. For the next two weeks, several families had us over to their homes, brought meals to us, and gave us some home essentials. I just remember feeling so welcomed for our first month here in GA. Our first Sunday at church, several people came up to us and warmly greeted us. Later that afternoon more friends came over including the Bauers! We had lots of fun that day, and it was the perfect end to our first week in Georgia.

Now 3 years later, I feel blessed to have good friends, a great church, and a beautiful home. I feel like I have gone from the western beauty of the Colorado Rockies, to the southern charm of the Georgia trees. I am grateful to God for his perfect plan for us to move here, and I can't wait to see how his plans unfold in the years to come! I now feel that in a sense, I can finally call Georgia home.

Well yesterday we went to the park (big surprise there), and I decided to bring Sully on his first adventure! Here are some pictures of Sully around the park :)

This is a fancy glove I found at the park a few weeks back. I took a picture of it. I think it turned out pretty good. What do you think? Leave a comment and tell me your thoughts on this oh so mysterious missing-a-match glove.

I'm so excited, because this is finally my 100th post!

And what better news to bring with my 100th post then to say....I GOT MY PERMIT!!!
Yesterday, I finally drove over to the Drivers building along with Rachel Ganster, so we could both take our drivers test. I was so nervous, because I must admit I didn't really study much at all. We were only allowed to miss 5 questions for each section, and I am pretty happy to say that I only missed one! Of course I remembered the correct answer after I chose the wrong one lol. But anyways, we both passed, and I was soooo relieved after that.
I did not drive home (haha) but I did get to drive down our street =] I have never driven before obviously, so it was a little scary, but I think I can get used to it.
So that's the big news of the week!
Thanks for everybody who stayed with me through all 100 of my posts.

love,
ae

Sorry, but I did not get any pictures from Sunday!

Today, was a very interesting day, however.
First we were gonna do school, but instead we ended up babysitting some kids at our house, so my mom could go out to coffee with their mom. After babysitting for a couple hours, we ate lunch, then walked through the woods with Andrea. We walked all the way to Publix, and ate a couple donuts from there =] After that, we went to the park!!! yay!!! with 3 other people (they will remain nameless) After getting hit in my leg with a freezing football, falling on a SUPER SPIKY bush, and freezing almost to death, it felt great to be able to sit down in a warm house. That house was the Hollise's, where we watched a little tv, ate dinner, and played the pool game...crap. Yes it's a bad name, and we personally don't like to use that term lol

Anways, all in all, even though we didn't have school and had to miss a day, it was a great day! (now I just have to catch up on today's school tomorrow :P )

Here's what we do at the park =] We usually have contests to see who can get the highest first, and then who can stop the first, all without touching the ground. I don't really know what we're saying in this movie :P Also the camera person gets a little distracted. (We had a few unknown kids at the park watching our contest).

Hey people, sorry I haven't posted in a few days. I've have been trying to keep up with school and other random stuff.

Last week, we got the privilege to participate in helping with FOI (Friends Of Internationals), where you basically go and talk with International students from several different countries. Usually, we eat dinner, have a short bible study, then play some games and just talk. Our last meeting, we had a game night with 7 girls from Beijing, China. It was very fun to learn about where they came from, and to talk with them. (Some don't speak English that well, but you can usually understand them). I also got to make friends with a girl named Zhou Wei (her American name is Grace), and I hope to see her at more events in the future! :)

This Sunday, some families (including us) are going to have another Internationals bible study, so hopefully if I can get some, I'll try to post pictures from that.

Well that's all for now!
-ae

Please comment your thoughts!

Lastly I LOVE swinging!!! (It makes our hearts sing as you can tell from the last pic). Rachel (my neighbor), and I try to go to the park at least once a week (about a 8-10 min walk) and swing!!! It's one of my most favorite things, and it has been ever since I was able to do it! So there is my top 20 favorite things! Hope you guys enjoyed it =]