Mid-Year Resolution

I resolve to blog. Yes, friends and family, I will strive to update you on the goings of our lives. With the distance that separates us from one another, the least I can do is keep you posted.

Tony and I are approaching our 1 year anniversary, which is the foot to kick me into gear with posting. One post a year is lame. I will try to be less lame friends, key word "try."

As you know, a lot happens in a year, so we have an abundance of pictures and changes to share.

Shortly after returning home from our honeymoon, Milligan students began to arrive on campus. Tony's job as director of student activities, kept us very busy for the first few weeks of the semester. In September, we travelled back to Myrtle Beach to chaperone 20 some Milligan students as they enjoyed fall break. We quickly realized that they needed little supervision, which allowed us to enjoy a short hiatus ourselves. They were a great crew to enjoy vacation with.

Back in Johnson City, I started in on my second month as a teacher assistant for John Adams Elementary. I felt very relieved to have a job going into the school year, and was very happy with the school I worked for. John Adams Elementary is a new school for the Kingsport City School system, about 25 minutes from where we live. I worked with 4 teachers, as well as the secretary to help with the daily tasks of the school day. Although, I was slightly disappointed to not be teaching, it was refreshing to leave school at the end of the day without a pile of papers weighing me down. The staff at Adams is top notch and I benefited from this experience.

This year, our evenings were very full of Milligan functions and church activities. We attended homecoming, Junior-Senior, and lots of other events of which I failed to bring the camera to. I became active with our Senior high ministry at Grandview, and am especially thankful for the high school girls small group. We met regularly on Sunday nights to share life, which proved to be a great way to head into a new week.

Amidst student events, Tony and I have both been training for physical challenges, which has resulted in exercising many a night we are "free."

In the fall, I trained and ran in two 10K's, which was a big step from my 2-3 mile limits of the past. After returning home from the last race I ran, I told Tony I was ready for a half-marathon. So, now I am in the midst of training with four other woman for a half-marathon on September 25th. It is conveniently in the city where we live, which is a bonus. Tony has just completed P-90X in preparation for some hiking in Colorado he has planned for August. Several of his college friends will be climbing their way up the Rockies this summer. Since he has finished P-90X, we have started to hike around the area. Yesterday, we went to Buffalo mountain for several hours and were amazed by the stunning view.

I have left the two biggest events of our lives for last. Most recently, Tony graduated from Geneva College with his M.A. in Higher Education Administration. This was a moment we both looked forward to for several months. At the moment, he is striving to complete his thesis, which will be the official end to a very long journey. I am very proud of all he has accomplished over the last year. Working and going to school full time is no easy feat. Way to go Tony Jones!

Shortly after his graduation, I was welcomed on staff at Grandview Christian Church. We have attended Grandview for nearly a year, and in January, a need for a full time Minister to Children arose. I felt led to apply, went through several interviews, and was hired at the end of April. I am thrilled to be serving in this capacity and very fortunate to work on a staff full of talent and patience. The church is a mere mile from our house, making the occasional walk to work very doable. I do indeed love my job and am happier than ever with how this area of life has unfolded.

For now, that is all. Hopefully the next post will be in less than a year from now :D

Anna