Events of January

A few weeks ago we were able to get together (on two different occasions) with two of Matt's long time friends, Josh and Mandy (whom I had never met). It was fun to catch up with them and hear tales of the past, including the escapades after youth group events, the dangers of driving with my husband and how annoyed Rach would get when Mandy would slam her washcloth on the side of the bathtub.


After visiting with Mandy, Matt and I took a jaunt to Cambridge which caused me to relive the glorious E-town Music Club trip to Boston. I distinctly remember posing with Jenn Brosey on benches and seeing the stake out on the Harvard Green as students protested Harvard's president. I regaled Matt with "I was there!" and "I remember that!" "those rocks look familiar!" (okay...so maybe I didn't comment on the rocks).
On our visit, we were able to see many blocks of Cambridge neighborhoods due to our inability to find a parking spot and we frequented the Harvard campus, the Coop and the Harvard Book Store.


Last weekend we went to Buffalo to celebrate Dad's 50th birthday (we were a few weeks late). We went to the basketball games of Peter, Noelle and David and heard the great news about Chris being accepted to Gordon College! This week he was given a huge scholarship and also passed his driver's license exam- so it was a very exciting week for the Morans- Chris in particular! We are really looking forward to Chris being in MA come Fall.

Since the new year, Matt has been busy with his sem-link class (during J-term) and is now starting his Spring semester here at Gordon-Conwell. He will also soon begin attending the practices of the Gordon College baseball team as he fulfills his role as the assistant coach.
The bank is still thriving- no robberies as of yet, though last weekend we did have a bagel catch on fire in the toaster- causing the alarms to go off and the firetruck to come. I missed this, however, due to my day off. Sadly most days at the bank are not as exciting as the one that I missed.
Matt and I have also been reading a lot as Matt is on his "1 book a week" plan and I am on the "this is a slow day at work" plan. I am currently reading "Villette" by Charlotte Bronte. For some reason I had never heard of this book, despite my affection for "Jane Eyre". Matt is about to finish "Confessions" by St. Augustine.
In other news, our church started "soul care groups" this past week and we are attending the members class this coming Saturday. It has been awesome to be a part of this community of believers who are genuinely seeking to be more like Jesus. We are making friends and find the "7 mile road" people to be both funny, profound, and challenging.
Life is good. :)

the wedding

January 11th, the night of the unforgettable Luke Johnson-Victoria Alam wedding. I made a 15hr roundtrip for the ceremony and reception, but this night was well worth it. The best weddings usually exemplify some distinct qualities of the people getting married. People who know Luke know that one of his most notable characteristics is that uncanny ability to walk the line (dragging others behind) between absolute hilarity and intense awkwardness.

Luke, that is what I thought of while watching you read your vows.

Other great moments:

- There is comedy, there is high comedy, there is transcendent comedy, and then there was Luke & Ben's attempts to unwrap the aisle roller during a kicking version of Canon in D.

- The jazz band - I have never seen so many ex-Mennonites get their groove on in the same place.

- The performance of Ben Johnson as emcee, culminating in his encouragement to everyone to stay under their "umbrella of protection."

If anyone has good pictures please let me know - Laurel wasn't able to come, and I knew that I would leave the camera in Bird in Hand if I brought it myself.

A very Merry Christmas at the Morans!