NYC

Greetings!  Sorry about the lack of contact this last week.  Seriously people, I have never worked so hard in school in my life.  This is crazy stuff!!!  I will turn in a project tomorrow (one that I think most of the class completely underestimated the difficulty of. . . we were hoping it would be downhill after that but notsomuch).  We were given case material last Monday and were given a week to wrestle with it and do a very comprehensive write-up.  I'm glad I'm soon done.  I have an assessment report to write by Wed. and then I am ON BREAK.  Hooray.

I was very grateful because last weekend I got a two day break from school.  I turned my paper in early on Friday so that I had no assignments until the psychopathology project was issued on Monday.  Philip and I drove up to NYC and had and one of the best weekends we've had ALL YEAR with our friends the Klingens.  Shannon and I met during my last month at Northwestern but is one of, if not the, closest friend I have from undergrad. She's the kind of person I go to with the kind of stuff you just don't process with everyone.  Prettymuch your parents and one or two other people.  They're those kind of friends.  We're so greatful for them. Shannon and and her husband Keith are getting ready to move from NJ where Keith has been a youth pastor (Shannon's done PR stuff in NYC and now works with a crisis pregnancy center) to MN where Keith will attend Bethel Seminary starting in January.  Please keep poor Shannon in your prayers as she has been super super ill the last month and now has mono amidst the moving process.  Poor thing :(  I am VERY sad they are leaving the east coast just as we are arriving but am truly excited for what the Lord has in store for them.

When Shannon went to school in NYC she did some nannying for an increeeeedibly wealthy family.  We went to Manhattan and went to the building where they lived to catch some great views of the city skyline up on the roof.  While we were there we ran into the family she lived with and we were promptly invited to a posh millionaire Christmas party that they were throwing in their fabulous Manhattan penthouse.  Not everyday you get in invite like that. . . the boys weren't quite dressed for the occasion so we graciously bowed out, but pretty cool.  It's all about who you know!

We went to Rockafellar Center and took in the merriment of all of the decorations.  I could defiinitely feel at home in that city.  No doubt about it.

Thank you Keith and Shannon for your incredible hospitality.  It was the best weekend we could have ever asked for:  games. laughter. Philip devouring about a pound of the M&Ms they had received from youth group kids. the city.  watching half of a season of Outsourced. rest. real bagels.   We love and value your friendship so much and will cherish fond memories of the weekend.  We are praying for you and are moved by your selflessness, service and love for Christ.  Love you.  FEEL BETTER SOON SHANNON MY BEAUTIFUL.