WayfaringStrangers

Kiri and Brian are here for the weekend, and it's snowing. So cozy! The cold, dark days of winter are flying by. It can be rather bleak this time of year, and I am already anxious for spring, but we have so much to be thankful for. Even though we miss being able to spend more time outside, we've been keeping busy with lots of other fun things. Last weekend was my birthday and Behn and I went to Maryland to visit the family. It was a great weekend but all too short. We had a lovely breakfast with Grandma and Grandpa Cathey and Behn and I spent a lot of time catching up with everyone and laughing with them. I love my family so much! Behn and I are also helping out with Navigators, a Bible study for VMI cadets that our church hosts. It's great getting plugged in to our community and spending time doing something other than serving our own interests. It really helps break up the monotony of the work-week to be spiritually boosted on Wednesday nights. Where would we be without C...

Behn and I just returned from a little getaway in Staunton, VA, which is about 40 miles north of Lexington. We decided to go up there to see our new favorite band, the Fitzmaurice Band play again (we saw them in Nov. at The Purple Fiddle). Then Behn suggested we make the trip a little getaway, since we could not even remember the last time we went somewhere that wasn't to see family. Up scenic route 11 we trekked, and had lunch at the wonderful Mrs. Rowe's Restaurant (thanks for the gift certificate, Mom and Dad Trader). Then, with an afternoon before us, we decided to check out the Museum of Pioneer Culture. The exhibits were quite impressive, and my history-loving husband and I enjoyed learning about the challenges and struggles our European ancestors must have faced when coming to the New World and the Shenandoah Valley. After that we shopped a little bit (taking advantage of some of the stores in Staunton that Lexington does not have...which is just about all of them), and ...

Here we are a few weeks into 2010 and I'm finally going to post about the holidays! Christmas: We spent 5 days celebrating Christmas in Ohio, meeting up with my family. All the siblings were present except Isaac and Elizabeth, who we missed a lot! Ohio was lovely. When we first got there, Emily and Seth were staying at Grandma Bixler's house and we stayed there the first night too, until the rest of the family got in. We went to a Christmas Eve service, then back to Grandma's for dinner and cookie decorating. Christmas morning was sweet and relaxing, with the boys making us breakfast. Later in the afternoon, the rest of the family arrived, including lots aunts, uncles, and cousins. Christmas dinner..mmmmm. The next few days seem like a blur. Seth, Emily, Behn and myself stayed at my Uncle Jerry and Aunt Bonnie's house, but spent the waking hours at Grandma's. We spent time ice skating, eating lots of food, playing cards, and just being with people we love but ...

Behn and I before going to the Flyers game the day after Thanksgiving: Next to our tree (last Sunday, after we'd joined out church): Behn and Mom Trader: Behn and Dad Trader: Snow! City Hall, very picturesque: Lee Chapel, where R.E. Lee and Traveler his horse are buried: SO much snow!

How is it nearly Christmas? Time flies when you are busy! Work has been keeping us occupied but my winter break has finally come and I can relax and celebrate the holiday. Currently, I am curled up under a blanket, sipping coffee and enjoying the snow falling outside, so you can see I've wasted no time beginning my vacation. Life has been wonderful and I am continually amazed at the undeserved blessings we enjoy. Our work has been going well. Behn is doing great at the library! He is also studying for the GRE to apply to graduate school. It is a little stressful for him to have to study again after a year and a half off from school, but since I bring work home with me every night, he studies while I work. So that is our system: we both have a quiet time and feel very accomplished. We had an awesome Thanksgiving in Delaware. We enjoyed time with family and friends, and we also had a fun time going to a Flyers game. It was especially nice to worship at Stillwaters Presbyterian Chur...

Thanksgiving is only one week away! Behn and I are looking forward to the break- we could both use a long weekend off from our jobs. Everything is still going really well (better than expected even), but seeing our friends and family will be so nice. We've made some friends at church. We're in a dinner group that starts in December. Last Sunday we also met a couple that's about to get married and we're looking forward to getting to know them better. We are really being fed every week at church! We've been praying for God to show us ways we can minister in this community...how does He want us to get plugged in and serve? Time will tell!

Last weekend Behn and I went to visit Aunt Jeanne and Uncle Jim in western Maryland. We had the best time! Olivia's been living there the past few months, so having fun with her was an added bonus. She's so cute: Behn and I got to do so many fun things. Behn drove a tractor. Actually, he got it stuck in the mud (that's why he's wearing preppy khaki's in this picture; he had gotten his jeans thoroughly filthy working on the farm and had to change.) Olivia and did this: It was awesome! I've missed riding. On Saturday night, the 5 of us went to see an amazing bluegrass band, the Fitzmaurice Band at a place called The Purple Fiddle. Our friend Aaron is the fiddler. If this band is ever coming to your area, you have GOT to go see them, you will not be disappointed. We had so much fun hanging out with Aunt Jeanne and Uncle Jim! You guys are the best and we LOVE your beautiful farm!!