Back in the Swing of Things

It is so hard to believe that I've been back in St. Louis for over a month now.  In some ways, it feels like the past few weeks have FLOWN by.  But at the same time it kind of feels like I never left.  This semester, I am actually only a part-time student at Covenant, taking three classes:  1. Spirit, Church, & Last Things  2. Group Dynamics  3.  Educational & Psychological Measurements.  In addition to these courses, I'm starting to get a jump-start on the additional courses I'll need to be an LPC in Virginia, so I'm taking an online course through Regent University.  Needless to say, my school workload has been relatively light so far, which has made for a nice transition back to St. Louis.

This year, I am living in an on-campus house with an all-new set of roommates!  I honestly could not be more blessed with how my living situation this year has turned out.  My roommates are all very sweet, loving girls, and I already feel like we click well with one another.  We're starting to tackle decorating our house, so we had a mini-photoshoot done at the beginning of the semester:

From Left to Right:  Me, Bekah, Emily, Amy, Erin, & Britt

I am so excited to get to know these ladies better over the course of the next couple of years!

Some more highlights of the past few weeks:  Labor Day weekend I went out to Table Rock Lake (unfortunately, I don't have any pictures) with some of Eric's friends.  By far one of the most relaxing weekends I've had in a long time!  It was so nice to get to know these new friends, and also to enjoy the water and lots of REALLY good ice cream (Blue Bell - I'd never had it before!).  The next weekend, I went to visit Jessica in Lexington (I was quite the traveler those weeks!), and as always it was so nice and grounding to talk and hang out with her.  Since I've gotten back from traveling, I've started work, gone to a Cardinals game, visited a Missouri winery with Eric's cousins, and gone to the annual St. Louis Balloon Glow in Forest Park!  Who knew that I would be such a (social!) busy bee in my first month back?!  I must say it makes SUCH a difference having roommates that I connect with so well.  For the first time in a lonnggg time, I want to be upstairs (my room is in the basement) as much as possible just to hang out with them, and my default answer for social events is not "no," like it was for the majority of last year.  It is so s w e e t to feel so comfortable here.

Lauren, Melissa & I at Noboleis Winery

STL Balloon Glow in Forest Park!  Such a beautiful night!