This year was marked by our move from Saint Paul, Minnesota to the glorious city of Camden, New Jersey. After moving to the most dangerous city in the United States this summer, you’ll be happy to hear that after our sensational arrival the wonderful researchers from the “Worst Cities in America Report” decided that Camden was now only the fifth most dangerous city in America. Naturally, we’ve made a small career out of taking credit for the city’s miraculous turn around. Ben thought about using his newfound popularity in the community to run for city council, until he discovered that the infamous Camden City Hall still required a well-placed $10,000 “donation” to get on the ballot. Despite that great setback, it feels surprisingly ennobling to take part in an urban revitalization project (and we haven’t been robbed yet!). Ok, so we live in a recently renovated waterfront loft (see picture on card) next to the state aquarium and minor league baseball stadium, and so far we’ve loved every minute of life on the east coast.
Well almost. Ben discovered that graduate school life is more complex than leisurely reading books on the recliner while sipping on latte’s all day long. His PhD studies in diplomatic and international history at Temple University are going along splendidly (so long as we don’t linger on how long it will take to finish). Toni is enjoying driving across the Benjamin Franklin Bridge everyday to her fun marketing job in Philadelphia, although her long working hours highlight the norm out east. But life on the east coast has its advantages. A Saturday in New York’s Times Square, a Sunday at the beach in Atlantic City, or weekend jaunt down to North Carolina to visit Toni’s sister and Ben’s brother is like driving to Duluth, Rochester or Chicago from our old home in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
This year also marked our first transatlantic flight to Europe as husband and wife. We enjoyed a romantic weekend in Paris along with our good friends the French student rioters (Who wants to visit the Sorbonne anyways?), a trip to Berlin, Germany (Ben’s high school stomping grounds), and a lovely visit to Seville and the Spanish coast with Ben’s brother and his wife.
We hope you will have a wonderful holiday season this winter. Amidst the move and all the other changes in our lives we found comfort in the Savior’s words from long ago: “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
Sunday night we received a call from Kata (Toni’s sister). Ulan Bator Air had a little flight delay--a standard feature we hear--so the nurse returning from the Save Mongolia Expedition needed some companions in DC while she waite
d for her next flight to Raleigh, NC. A half tank of gas later, and
a great sleep at the Hilton, we three were touring the Smithsonian, touching moon rocks, scheming on stealing the Hope diamond, and listening to stuffed Lions roar. We also saw some old family friend from Minnesota, Paul and Colleen
Irwin. They gave us a wonderful tour of the jewel of Southeast DC, the aptly named, SE White House, a center for urban and spiritual renewal.
