It's been a crazy weekend. I'm exhausted today - physically and emotionally. I got some massively shocking news about a friend on Friday, and I don't think it appropriate to write about here. But, it came Friday evening as I was working on final grades. It wiped me out and I had to push through. Though the always loving support of my wonderful husband, I managed to finish grades while he cleaned the apartment in preparation for his family's visit this weekend. I've been pretty distracted by this all weekend and am still feeling strange and confused. So, the weekend was more exhausting that it would've otherwise been.

The in-laws arrived on Saturday morning and we did the whole Charlottesville thing - drive in the country (to see real Virginia), Bodo's downtown mall, etc. Luckily we had planned to go out to eat because at about 6:00pm it started seriously thunderstorming. As we were rounding up to go out, our building was struck by lightening, causing a boisterous crash and followed by the crackling of the transformer outside. It was a slight bit erie. (Some of you may know that my biggest, most irrational fear is being struck by lightening and this was pretty close!) All of our power went out and seconds later, a huge firetruck came blaring down the road and stopped right in front of our building. Nothing seemed to be on fire, so we headed out for dinner. We ate at this really neat South African pub called She-ben. It was tremendous! When we got home aroun 9:30, there was still no power. So, we pretended like it was the old days and lit every candle we owned. I highly recommend showering by candlelight. It makes shaving difficult, but it is otherwise a relaxing experience. We all went to bed and the power came back on around midnight or so.

Joshua was baptized in church this morning. It was a lovely service and I am so proud of him. We really like our church here and I think we are both so thankful for the wonderful clergy we've gotten to know so far. We've also attended a few Sunday school classes regularly and are getting to be familiar with certain faces and names, which makes church seem more like a place we belong.

I feel so content to be done with this year of school. I can't even imagine what I will do with myself all day tomorrow, but I'm looking forward to the freedom. All in all, I feel good right now.