WayfaringStrangers

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!!

Hi there! Wondering what we've been up to? Here are some highlights: 1. Phillies in the World Series. This occupies most of our evenings, at least when they are playing. Behn stays up for the whole game, but I usually go to bed when it starts to get late. 2. Kiri and Brian visited! We had a great weekend with our wonderful friends. Here they are very excited about a Red Eft that Kiri found while we were on a hike up Little House Mountain: 3. The flu. Yes, unfortunately I had the flu this week. I'm still not feeling great, but hopefully I'm over the worst and can get back to work on Monday! 4. We bought a new car! The time of sharing one vehicle has come to an end and we now "own" (actually not own, but OWE) a 2006 Toyota 4Runner. It's an awesome vehicle and we hope it'll serve us for many years to come. We need a reliable vehicle so we can go visit everyone that we miss! I think that's about it...GO PHILLIES!

(Two cents worth from Behn) As you all know by now, I manage a library in Buena Vista. The Appalachian town is the home of Southern Virginia University, Franks for the Memories, and Uncle Charlie. Charlie Manuel graduated from Parry McCluer High School and was a dominant athlete: he played basketball, football, and baseball and received numerous scholarship offers from different colleges for different sports but ultimately chose to accept an offer to join the big leagues. Anywho, this is the sign I pass every day on the way to work into BV. As the Phillies continue to do well in the playoffs I'm reminded of last year and how the City of Brotherly Love rallied around the team as it ended the Curse of Billy Penn. I miss that community and living so close to a sports town that I have cherished since I was a young boy. I spent countless nights and days in front of the TV with my dad, or brother, or brother-in-law watching this team and other Philadelphia clubs. I even listened t...

It is fully autumn here in Rockbridge County. In fact, the past few days have been cold enough to feel like winter. But the trees are looking glorious and we are enjoying the season. We've had some visitors. Hannah came to see us last weekend and our friends Scott and Jessica are here this weekend. Next weekend more friends, Kiri and Brian are coming down. We love having the company and showing everyone around. And there is always some sort of cute, community festival or something going on around here. Today we went to Apple Day at the Stonewall Jackson House. They had apple pressing (for perfect apple cider) and a bluegrass band, along with other festive things. It was quaint and we had fun stopping by. Anyway, here are a few pictures, enjoy! We found the Appalachian Trail! Only 20 min away!

Hello! It's Megan; I know it's been a while...we've been busy! We were in Delaware last weekend to visit family and attend a wedding. We've also been working hard at our jobs. I'm getting used to my work and settling in there. It's always so hard learning a new job....but I think I like it and I'm so grateful to have work! Anyway, here is the beautiful view that Behn and I see every morning as we drive into Buena Vista:

Behn and I had a good week! First of all, Isaac and Elizabeth came to stay with us for 3 days. They chose to have a honeymoon roadtrip to Mississippi (where Isaac will be stationed) instead of a traditional honeymoon. So, they stopped by Lexington with the intention of staying 2 days, but ended up staying 3 because Rockbridge County is just so excellent! We really enjoyed their company and were sad to see them leave. Second of all, God has already provided me with a full time job! How is that possible?? We are so grateful! I had an interview at the Blue Ridge Autism and Achievement Center on Monday, which went well, and I was told that I could begin working 2 days/week. So I went in on Thursday and had a great day. Then, on Friday, I got a call offering me a full time job! Wow! It is a wonderful place to work, and because it is technically a school, I have great hours. Also, it is in Buena Vista, where Behn works, so we can carpool. I am thrilled and ready to get started full time. I...

Behn and I are back together after 3 weeks apart (me working in DE and Behn in VA)! Whew, I don't want to repeat that again! As Behn said, "Man is not meant to be separated from his wife." But now being in Virginia together is that much more sweet. We spent this past weekend celebrating Isaac's wedding. He and Elizabeth were married yesterday, on a beautiful, perfect autumn day in Southern Maryland. The wedding was wonderful; they incorporated both Mexican and American wedding traditions and the service was in Spanish and English. Of course Elizabeth looked beautiful and Isaac was very handsome- and they were so happy! Husband and wife! We love you guys!

This is Behn here. I've been living alone with Gruff this week, as Megan is back up in Delaware finishing up work at Seton Villa. It's been a very strange week. All of a sudden I'm in a new place working a new job. It's been a little stressful, and hard getting used to a new routine. I started work Monday. I'm the new branch manager at Buena Vista Public Library, and I've automatically assumed the role of acting supervisor. It's a little scary but also a good feeling to see that I'm already listed on the website as branch manager. Tonight, the director of the Rockbridge Regional Library took me and another new staffmember, Nessa, to the Buena Vista City Council meeting. We were introduced to the council, and members from the Rockbridge Weekly newspaper, Rockbridge Advocate, and Lexington News and Gazette were present to take pictures. Already an article is posted online at http://www.rockbridgeweekly.com/rw_article.php?ndx=15061 . To say that ...

Hello everyone! We're here in Lexington! We survived moving and setting up electric, water, internet etc. The place is looking a little cluttered still, but much better than 2 days ago. Soon it will feel like home. God was gracious to us the past week. Moving, though tiring, went well. No accidents or pulled muscles. We really appreciated our friend Kiri and Behn's brother Luke helping us load up the truck. Behn and I managed to unload the whole thing ourselves once we got here. Even though we've been hard at work these past days, we've been able to enjoy Lexington and the area. The weather's been perfect, and today we spent the afternoon out on Goshen Pass, about 15 miles away. We had fun playing in the clean, fresh water with Gruff. Next post: Showing you around our town. For now, enjoy this clip of Gruff and Behn in the river. It's pretty hilarious; Gruff's a big sissy, but by the end of the day he did a lot better in the water!

Hello everyone! Behn and I are starting this blog as an easy way to keep our family and friends updated on our lives. Today I'm posting, but Behn is also planning on contributing to the blog. So, last Friday/Saturday we found a place to live in Lexington! God has walked with us through each step of this whole process and we are so grateful for His faithfulness. First of all, we didn't have to pay for a hotel room, because Pastor Paul of Grace Presbyterian Church and his lovely wife Julie offered to host us in their beautiful home. We really enjoyed getting to know them, and felt encouraged to meet such wonderful people. Secondly, God provided an honest, helpful realtor, who showed us several options for housing. We decided on an upstairs apartment in Massie Street, only a few blocks from downtown. It was in our price range and has a great yard for Gruff. The whole upstairs is ours, including that great, big screened in porch. The whole place has a lot of character. Here's...