TJ and Ashley Humphrey

Hey everyone! It has been too long since my last post. So, I thought I would update you on what is going on. I have been on summer break for a few weeks now. I am planning on working with the maintenance staff here at Nashotah House whenever I have time (I am traveling quite a bit this summer). I have to say, it is not a bad gig at all; working outside during the Wisconsin summer! The high has been around 70 degrees the last few days and will only get up into the 80's for the rest of the week. It is really nice spending your summer in a place where you don't immediately start to sweat right as you walk outside. Yeah, this is not a bad place to spend a summer... ...and Jason seems to like it well enough. It is hard to beat the sunsets around here.  In other news, if you were not aware already, Ashley and I decided to transition into the Episcopal Church early this last term. We just felt like it would be a better fit for us in the long run. As we visited...

My birthday was yesterday.  On Saturday night, TJ planned a lovely evening for us to celebrate.  We got dressed up, left our sweet baby with a sitter, and headed for Milwaukee.  Somewhere along the way, I casually mentioned how things have so drastically changed in the year since my last birthday.  I think the realization came to both of us at the same time, but TJ was the first to say it – “It’s been one year since we made the decision to come to Nashotah.” Sunset over downtown Milwaukee We laughed about it, but as we started reminiscing, we began discussing how life-changing that decision was, and how weighty the last year had been.  Completely uprooting your family and moving to a different state requires a lot of decisions, one right after the other.  When you’re in the middle of it, it’s hard to see the forest for the trees.  But after a year, I think we’ve gained a little perspective. I was horribly distracted on my last birthda...

So, to sum up my first semester of seminary thus far... We begin with a cute picture of Jason because....well...why not?  What better way to begin!  He just gets more adorable as time goes on.  Also, notice that he has some teeth now.  Ashley and I have survived the initial stages of a teething baby.  So far so good. I came to seminary not being able to read music, sing, or play the piano/keyboard.  Now, I am happy to say that I am under-whelmingly mediocre at all of these things.  Yes, that is my attempt to look as if I am rocking out.  A fellow classmate wanted to make it look like I was jamming with a keytar.  (Ashley says that this picture makes me look like a high school student who is trying way too hard to look cool).   Instead of rocking out, and somewhat to my chagrin, I got a haircut.  The moment my bodacious locks hit the barber shop floor I was filled with much regret.  Now that the trauma is over, I...

Hello, friends!  Thanks for checking in with us.  Here are some updates and thoughts: *So... it's cold.  We have already had around two feet of snow, and temperatures down to -16 (with a -32 wind chill).  For Wisconsin, this is normal.  The streets are cleared quickly and perfectly, and you can go to the grocery store before the snow and there will still be food on the shelves.  I love St. Louis, but I don't miss the pre-storm freakouts :) Nashotah campus Checking out his first major snowstorm Frozen Nashotah Lake *Jason turned one!  We had a party with our families in Missouri while we were home for Thanksgiving, and a party at Nashotah on his actual birthday with our Wisconsin friends.  Jason had so much fun playing with his friends and opening all his presents, and we congratulated ourselves on making it through our first year of parenthood. Pretty excited about turning one! Celebrating with our families in Missou...

A few weeks ago I had the privilege of being the bell ringer here at Nashotah House.  This means that I got to ring the warning bells for chapel, the class bells, the Angelus, the altar bells and Michael (the giant bell on campus).  The office of bell ringer also comes with additional duties like being the intercessor during Mass each day, lighting the appropriate candles in the chapel, and laying out the proper vestments for the clergy. Behold...Michael I will readily admit that the whole experience was quite intense.  I had to be at the chapel 30 minutes early before each service each day in order to get everything set up and I usually had to stay 5-15 minutes afterwards in order to prep for the next day. Time has become abundantly precious since starting seminary and I have developed a pretty well-oiled routine for daily life.  Things are planned down to the minute for most days.  They have to be if I am going to keep my head above the water with sch...

Hey everyone!  Let's catch up: *We have had a steady stream of out-of-town visitors these past few weeks.  First, my parents came to town for some fall foliage viewing (and grandson viewing): *We also had a couple good friends in town for TJ's birthday, which included a trip to Madison's farmers market, Oktoberfest, and a heavy metal concert: *Lastly, two students from our former youth group spent a weekend with us.  I have been mentoring these girls for a few years, and we have such a special relationship!  I was so happy they were able to hang out: *The weather has been getting colder here, and the leaves are absolutely beautiful: (behind the chapel at Nashotah House)   Anyway... Two months in, and everything's pretty good.  I'm even making friends!  I say this because, even though I am an extrovert, I have my limits.  It's not very easy for me to just walk up to new people and start a conver...