January

Well, the month of January is coming to a close, well, at least in a week it will. I thought that maybe it was a good time to update!

Neal has started his LAST semester of undergraduate classes. 6 CLASSES! Yes, he is crazy! They are proving to be quite challenging and time consuming, but he is learning a lot. He comes home and just talks my ear off almost every night about what he's learning in his classes, especially his energy policy class. It seems like this is a field that he is incredibly interested in, so much so that he is seriously considering looking for a job in is directly in or at least relates to the field. The "offer" from GE Energy in Duluth would be kind of in this area, but not exactly what he is looking for. We'll keep looking!


I've gotten back in to the full swing of things at work. Each day is still different and still exciting. I'm really glad, thankful and blessed to have this job where I still look forward to going to work...almost every day! The people I work with, one gal in particular, Kenzie, has been such a blessing in my life. Almost every day that she works, we eat lunch together. It is not atypical to find our conversation going back to theology and how to apply the Word of God to every situation that is going on around us, not only at work, but also in our personal lives outside of the consulate's walls. We have both had opportunities to witness to some of the five Consul's in our office. We joked back and forth at Christmas time when our new Consul General picked out a Christmas card to send to all of his colleagues, and it had 1) a Bible verse 2) a manger scene with wise men and 3) it actually said Merry Christmas and not Happy Holidays! Oh the little joys that brighten the days! I am just so thankful to be in an environment like that!


Neal was in a car accident, he was hit from behind, the week before we left for our trip to Spain & France. We took the car in to the shop and were expecting to get it back shortly after we returned two weeks later. Well, when we got back state-side, they had not even begun to work on it. So, we had to get a rental. Well, finally, a month and a half after we first dropped the car off at the shop, we got the little guy back today! We were really getting use to driving our big ole' Ford truck, so it was very strange and felt like we were sitting on the ground when we got back in to our car! We definitely are thankful to have it back though.

Other than work and school, things have been fairly calm. We have enjoyed having some families and dear friends in our home for fellowship and of course food! It seems like we went on an entertaining spree a few weeks ago having 5 separate occasions in 2 weekends! We enjoyed the fellowship and catching up!

Neal & I are really looking forward to February: birthdays, Valentine’s Day and especially the counseling conference are all going to be packed in to this short month! We have been recruited to help with some of the behind the scene's stuff for the conference, which I at least love doing, but the teaching that we anticipate hearing makes us very eager for the time to arrive! I’ll be sure to post the highlights! (you can get more info here: faithcommunitychurch.org)

Well, until next time,

Neal Franklin & Deborah Lynn