We went with a Frog centered theme

SO, i am now in Greensboro and finally sitting down to update. It has been a long month already, filled with the trip to El Paso with Mike, the buying of a wedding dress, a trip to see my handsome brother at the Naval Academy, and the move to Greensboro (pronounced Greensbor-ah). It's quite lovely here right now. The apartment is lovely. It's huge! Katie can do about nine cartwheels from end to end. I have lots of furniture from home, so it's comfortable. My mum and dad helped me move down. It was to be just my dad, but after saying our goodbyes the night before the move, and crying for way too long, my mum decided to take a personal day and help. It was really great of her to do that. We left around 6.15 in the morning and got in around 11. not too bad i think. Moving in went quick and i was unpacked before the evening. They turned right around and left, but that's ok. I'm guessing swift and painless was the way to go. I've set about to making this place feel like home. Complete with nice little tea pot, serving dishes, desk, candles, and several other "homely" features. I've already been called lame by Murd's friend. I have to sort of agree, but at the same time don't for once care that much. i'm getting ready to live with my love and take care of a house. which, i can't wait for! I brought with me the delicious gold, yes GOLD, couch that will one day be me and Mike's when we get married. As you can see, we hung the disgusting yet intruiging frog painting that murd found down here last semester. it hangs proudly above said gold couch! isn't it just the best?!

i went to the First Baptist of Greensboro today. It's a goregous southern church. Complete with steeple, it averages between 800 to 1,000 per Sunday. They only have one service, was just which is quite full. it was a wonderful place. i really believe now that God has led me to this place. i still don't have a clue why, but the whole school thing has worked out- i'm getting substantial aide, and i only passed this back in March and knew that it was where i needed to be. i went to the service and was promptly greeted by several folks around me. it was such a warm reception. something i hadn't experienced in a very long time. immediately following service i was invited to stay for lunch with other college age kids. we had pizza, which i had yearned for all week, and sat with workers and students just talking. it made me very very fulfilled and happy. the one thing i'm sad about is that i don't have a 'real' southern accent. i want! i do i do i do! ok...after the fooding and talking and exchanging of information-both life and contact- i was invited to the baptism and picnic at a nearby state owned camp called the Summit. it was once owned by the episicapal church but was sold a few years ago. anyways, we went down to the lake there around 4.30. around 5 we began singing hymns. after the first hymn a guy was baptised in the lake. i had never seen anything like that. i mean to say, in that fashion. it was truly special and i was there to witness it. i makes me tear just thinking about it. what's more is that we got to lay hands on two of the new deacons and pray for them. that was also an awesome moment. for the first time in a long time i was comfortable in a church and doing things that specifically acknowledged God and his prescence. we sang hymns on our way up to and in the line to lay hands. the one that made me re-evaluate my life and it's standing was Near the Cross. this line especailly:

Near the Cross

I'll watch and wait, hoping, trusting ever,

till I reach the golden strand just beyond the river.

In the cross,

in the cross,

be my glory ever,

till my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river.