Special Visitors

The week's highlight was the visit of blog-friend Sara and son Jared all the way from Arkansas, our first face-to-face meeting!
More about that later. Let's rewind to last weekend--Super Bowl Sunday.
Indianapolis saw thousands (hundreds of thousands?) of visitors for this exciting event. We enjoyed watching with friends at their house, and all rejoiced in another Manning win. Can you believe I have no photo to show for it?

Monday I started back to Zumba, now that we are more settled after an entire month in our new house.

Tuesday, a wonderful surprise for me--a piano! It is perfect in every way. So far I have enjoyed playing some every day.

 It was fun to see the guest beds come together.

The Ship Room

The theme of this room represents the five years of our life on board a missionary ship, the M/V Doulos.
I hope Sara doesn't feel sea sick.

The craft room/Argentina Room

I've already hung a map of Argentina and gathered some of the memorabilia, but there is much more to be done.
The click 'n clack sofa doubles for a cute bed. The colorful bedspread has a neat story. People all over the world prayed for us when they heard about our house fire. My cousin shared with her church in Tennessee and an elderly lady asked if she could give us a quilt.

Sara and Jared traveled eleven hours on Thursday and when we met it was like we already knew one another like old-time friends.

Friday they were busy with two university visits: Anderson, primarily, and also nearby Taylor.

Mike and I went along for the latter. We were all so impressed with our tour guides. Here we are fighting the cold wind. The twin wind turbines were named, in jest, Mary Kate and Ashley due to their proximity to Olson Hall.

We had a memorable time chatting, sharing, cracking nuts, scattering shells all over the kitchen, laughing.

Jared dipping hazelnuts in Nutella

In the evening we attended an excellent theater performance of "Proof".

That brings us to today, Saturday, big day for Jared--his audition for the music department at AU. I don't know who was more nervous, mother or son. He did very well!

Relaxing after the BIG day

One much anticipated, not-to-be-missed Upland eatery--Ivanhoe's! We enjoyed the real experience, long lines, crowded tables, but great service and fabulous food.

We shared...

...a cowabanga

And even made room for shakes and a sundae!