Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Nomadic Reflections on My New Place

So much to blog about . . .

We are slowly settling in. Slowly because, of course, I decided that the whole house needed to be repainted after we had all of our stuff in. This project is going at a snail's pace. Pictures will be forthcoming when the boxes are all at least HIDDEN if not unpacked.

The weather here is paradise. I almost hate to write it because I know how many of you are in such hot places right now. Maybe next April, after having endured five months of rain, I will change my tune, but right now it is like springtime every day. We're headed to the beach on Saturday.

The boys are doing great. The baby, with no additional time-to-cry-it-out-training, is sleeping through the night: About nine to six-thirty. Bliss.

I think our budget is going to be highly manageable with one income for the first time in our married life.

Any good times I've had in the past few years feel like the momentary calm between storms. This time, the contentment I feel is more like the calm AFTER the storm. I think we are going to get a break on the trials for a while. I am planning to use the extra energy this gives me in to looking outside myself to see if I can help my neighbors more than I have in the past six months. It won't be hard. Our ward has a very high rate of inactivity and I've heard that I may have as many as six sisters to visit on my VT route. The Elders are assigned up to ten families each.

Many of you know that we thought we had a job all sewn up in Colorado early in the Spring. They had interviewed Plantboy twice and had all but given him an offer in writing. Then, things changed and someone else was hired for the position that he really wanted. When this news came at the end of March, we were fairly devastated. Not long after, our current job opened and Plantboy applied. After his first interview he was flown to Eugene for a second.

Between the two interviews we went to the temple. I felt very calm, though I had few impressions about anything. Plantboy on the other hand, said, "I think the church in Oregon needs us."

He may be right. Even my whole time in Texas I never felt such a need among the members. Lots of people were out of town our first week in church and I hadn't been in a ward so small since serving part of my mission in a little town called Katoomba in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney. I'm actually a little bit scared about how living here is going to seriously disrupt my comfort zone. I guess that means it was time for a change!

Plantboy really seems to like his job and we aren't going to make any decisions for a long time about whether or not this is the right place to say. But so far, so good.

12 comments:

Christie said...

Doesn't it feel good to feel "settled" for a while. Now that we've lived in this house for 3 1/2 years, it's the longest time we've ever lived anywhere. When I realize that we aren't likely to go anywhere soon, I can take a deep breath and say, "Aaaaaah."

I'm sure that the saints in Oregon will love having your family there. I felt very needed we lived in Aluquerque, New Mexico.

Enjoy some cool, green scenery for me.

Desmama said...

It sounds lovely, and I'm so happy for you. I'm anxious to see pictures and hear the stories of the ward that are probably forthcoming as you get to know people . . . ;)

Kimberly Bluestocking said...

It's both intimidating and invigorating to know you're in a place for a reason. I'm glad you're feeling both peaceful and well-rested as you start your new adventure.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, me and Crap Happy Papa had us some high falutin holy-roller types next door that kept trying to save our heathen souls, but I told them that they didn't need to worry because we chew Testamint gum and we know all the words to 'Jesus Freak' by heart.

Oh, how lucky for the people of Oregon that you're there now.

Five Froggies said...

"I think we are going to get a break on the trials for a while."

Eeek, did you just say that? Oh, it was typed...hopefully you're still safe! I also think you mentioned how well your baby was sleeping through the night???

I have found that whenever I comment on good sleeping habits of babies, it changes. This phenomenon happened just Tuesday. Visiting Teachers came and THAT NIGHT no more good sleep. Boohoo.

Seriously, I hope all the storms have passed and you can enjoy Oregon and all the service opportunities it provides.

Julie said...

I'm so jealous you are in Oregon! So close to many wonderful places: Kennewick, Northern Idaho, Crater Lake, to name a few.

I can't wait to start reading your posts about Oregon! It's on my list of Places to Live.

FoxyJ said...

We enjoyed Oregon when we drove through there earlier this year. We are also looking forward to settling down someday. When my family moved back to California when I was 11 we ended up moving into a ward that was small and struggling. There are two naval bases in the ward, so a lot of transient members and a lot of men who are gone for 6-12 months at a time. The 6 years we lived there my mom always held 2 or 3 callings, like ward organist and Relief Society president at the same time. But it was fun and our family really grew while we were there. Even though it's a stretching experience, I would rather be in a smaller ward where I know I am needed and wanted than in a bigger ward where I feel lost.

FoxyJ said...

Oh, and I almost feel guilty talking to my family members in Utah and Vegas. This morning at the zoo we were wearing our sweaters. It hasn't been warmer than 75 for two weeks now. I'm not looking forward to next weekend in Utah--I think I'll fry!

Anonymous said...

Hey, love the blog, thanks for stopping by.

I am a fan of Card, but more importantly I'm a fan of the hegemonic ideals put forward. It's as much a fun reference name as an accurate alias... hope you stick around, and we can merge blog communities! Follow the links... my "readers" are all far more clever and entertaining than I.

Anonymous said...

Hey, love the blog, thanks for stopping by.

I am a fan of Card, but more importantly I'm a fan of the hegemonic ideals put forward. It's as much a fun reference name as an accurate alias... hope you stick around, and we can merge blog communities! Follow the links... my "readers" are all far more clever and entertaining than I.

Anonymous said...

Oregon jokes are my favorite.

When pronounced like 'ORGAN.'

Anonymous said...

so neat how plantboy reflected that the church needed you all there. sounds like you count your blessings. i love hearing that in others.

happy Sabbath,
kathleen