I can’t believe I’m back in one of my favorite areas: the DMV (Distict of Columbia/Maryland/Virginia, NOT the Department of Motor Vehicles)!

This place holds a special place in my heart, but I have loved how each time I have taken a contract here, my time has looked different! One way this go round differs is who I get to stay with…the Bean family!

Anyone remember them from my last contract in 2021? I enjoyed my time with them then, which was often a day or two a week, and really came to consider them as dear friends and role models in life and faith.

So, when they invited me to come live with them for the next 3 months and to be a part of not only their effort to reach out to soldiers and point them towards Jesus but also their day-to-day, that was an easy yes!

Something that is similar is that I am working with the same department that I worked with last summer!

My first day was Tuesday and since then have been given a warm reception by both sonographers and physicians I had worked with during my previous time here. I was flattered that they remembered me and were excited when they heard I’d applied for a contract with them again!

Most of the week has been spent trying to gauge the rhythm of what life will look like while I’m here, which meant not too many exciting things happening during the work week.

However, Friday evening was sweet (in more ways than one!).

Richard (aka Iggy) is spending his last week in the Bean’s home before moving closer to where he is doing school! After a delicious dinner and before playing games, we got treated to a cookie cake made by El, which was dually to welcome me to the home and to say goodbye to Iggy!

Saturday was a full day, but the evening was the main event: I went to a classy Christmas party! Everyone in attendance was dressed to the nines (a few ladies were rocking floor-length gowns!) and it was fun being able to get gussied up! Of course, I totally forgot to get a picture, so I guess you’ll just have to take my word for it.

I was invited to the party by Carly, who is a familiar staple to this blog. Afterwards, I got to spend the night with her and attend the beloved CHBC the next day!

It was so sweet getting to catch up with her and to reconnect with a couple of other dear friends there!

After service, we went over to Eastern Market for lunch, where I grabbed a crepe with apples, maple syrup, muenster, and ham! It tasted great!

Afterwards, we hung out for a little while longer before I headed over to JBAB (Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling) for STS (Study the Scriptures).

I enjoyed getting to see how this crew approaches helping others in the community grow and develop as followers of Jesus and look forward to the times we will meet during the rest of my time here! It was also great to catch up with a couple of people from the Israel trip and others who I hadn’t seen since last summer!

In summary, God is good and I’m excited for the weeks ahead!