May 3rd was our special day. We were able to spend this past weekend together celebrating 1 full year of marriage. We went to Duluth MN and enjoyed our stay there. One of many of my favorite things of the weekend was getting up at 5 am and driving up on a hill and watching the sunrise with my Bride over Lake Superior. What a sight, an image I will never forget.
Married for 1 year!
May 6th, 2009Quick update
April 24th, 2009We met with another couple from our church last night to talk about the ministry that we will be starting. We enjoyed getting to know them better as well as their hospitality towards us. Praise God, they have come along side and partnered with us to reach young adults at the University of Minnesota for Jesus Christ. Things for me for networking and support raising are starting to come along. I have a few more appointments already scheduled for next month and more to come shortly. We thank everyone for all of your continued prayers!
Ethan + Laura
Public Transportation!
April 24th, 2009A few days ago, I decided I better get familiar with the public transportation here in the Twin City area. Since we only have one car with us here in Minnesota, public transportation will assist me in getting around the city when needed, instead of me driving Laura to work 25 min away and then to where I want to go.
I grew up in the sticks, where public transportation was the school bus and I only rode that for sports trips. We currently live about 7 miles from downtown, but still a well populated area within the city limits: (see picture we are at the base of the arrow and it is pointing to downtown Minneapolis.)
I’ll say that taking the publi
c transportation was quite the adventure for me. When I used to think of public transportation it was either the six members of my family piling into our 2 door (thee cylinder) Geo Metro, or the school bus… I was quite nervous, but figured it out with not too many problems. I did however end up calling my Father back in NY, and had him get on the metrotrasit.org website to help me figure out which bus I should take to when I needed to transfer buses in the downtown area. Thankfully I have taught my dad well and he was able to successfully assist me to get onto the 17B bus south and not one of the other 100+ bus routes I could have taken…. Downtown Minneapolis is beautiful and huge. I can say I miss having a forest for a back yard though! Anyway, I did not get too lost during this trip. Taking the public transit was actually more fun than I had feared. In non-rush hour times it is only $1.75 straight fee to go anywhere I want with a 2.5 hour limit before that ticket duration runs out. This adventure has helped me get acquainted more with the big city and directionally as to where the different inner city towns are. (Some have called Minneapolis the MinniAPPLE) When anyone comes to visit, this might be something I’ll have to show you!
Twin Cities Metro Area
Getting the wheels turning
April 13th, 2009Last week was a busy week. I have been going over my Support Raising training materials, ordering more CA (campus ambassadors) literature and handouts to give to people I meet with. A few people have come along side us to help us begin networking with individuals and churches within Minneapolis and the surrounding areas. We have been getting to meet and know more and more people out here. We have plugged into a small group bible study with people our age from the church. We had Easter breakfast at the church Sunday morning and then had Easter dinner with Jim and Sandy. People are continuing to help us feel welcomed here. Praise God.
Laura’s first full week of work at Dicks Sporting Goods has been stressful for her but day by day is getting a little easier for her.
I hope everyone had a great Easter.
He is risen . . . . . . HE IS RISEN INDEED
We are in Minnesota!!!!
April 5th, 2009
We arrived in Minneapolis April 1st. Another couple, Ralph and Mary, have opened there home to us and are letting us stay with them till we raise more support and figure out where a good place to settle might be. We have moved into their guest bedroom for now and are very happy that they are so generous as to let us stay here!
First Baptist Church of Minneapolis is our host church here in MN. The pastor had us stand up as he introduced us to the congregation. They have been awaiting our arrival for months and are excited to have us as well as for what the future Ministry to the U of MN will hold.
Laura Starts work Tomorrow at Dicks Sporting Goods (Monday the 6th). I am driving Laura to work in the morning and going to find a place to access some wireless so I can get to work as well.
Leaving NY withing days….
March 25th, 2009Wed: Both of us had our last day of work.
Thurs: We spent all day packing and then went to our last Bible study at the Starr’s house
Friday: Woke up early, packed more, my father and friend Harold came up with truck and trailer. A few hours later the trailer and the truck were packed. Our apartment was basically empty except for odds and ends and finishing up cleaning the apt before we left. We were able to fit most of our stuff into a storage unit in Prattsburgh (Thanks for your help Dan). We then drove back up to LeRoy where Laura was finishing up the cleaning and packing. Filled the truck and left our apartment in LeRoy empty.
We spent the rest of the weekend with my family. Good to be able to spend quality relaxing time with them all, as well as eat great home made food. Sunday we went to Prattsburgh Bible Church. We went in front of the church, gave a quick update to the church and then the Pastor and elders comissioned us and prayed for us as we prepare to leave everything and everyone here in NY and go out to MN.
Monday we left my parents house (sad times) and headed out to Laura’s family where we are right now.
Going away party at Tom + Cindy’s house
March 15th, 2009We have a few going away parties before we depart for Minneapolis. Tom and Cindy threw this party: friends from school, friends from our Sunday school class and others. We had pizza and wings: Cindy cooked Bachwa Dip (BarbeQ Chicken Wing Dip + Tom cooked me a huge seasoned tenderloin… Thanks TOM!)
Steak for me specially cooked by Tom Capuano
- Cake wishing us the best out in MN
Our last Saturday in LeRoy
March 14th, 2009We spent our last Saturday in Le Roy NY. Today we continued to pack our stuff. Below are a few pictures of us packing up our stuff preparing for the move.
Laura stuffing boxes
All we have left is paper and plastic
Ethan stacking boxes
Move coming fast!
March 12th, 2009We continue packing things for our upcoming move. We will be storing the majority of our things in a storage unit in Prattsburgh, NY. We will be going on in one car to start with and living with another couple, Ralph and Mary. We will be staying with them for a few months while I continue to support raise and we get a good lay of the land. Only a few weeks left!
1st Blog post
March 12th, 200926. February 2009 by Ethan.
Welcome to this new Blog.
Yesterday we started sorting through things as we have officially begun packing for our move to MN. Its sad to sort through so many things, memories etc. But its good to donate things I don’t need or have a use for. This will be a complete new start for Laura and I. We have God and each other… what more could we ask for.
I have started working on my ethancook.net website. This website will have information on “the Cooks” during our transition out to MN and all that happens after that.