Monday Morning News

And here is the news. The snow didnt last long; it's only left in a few places never touched by sunlight. This morning it has been replaced by a frost that is already melting away.

Yesterday was our first day at church. We fellowshipped with the good folks at Grace Ministries in Hopkins. Don Hoffman, the pastor, preached an encouraging message on the grace of God. Certainly that is something that we are believing in as we start our new life here in the States.

Elisha is gradually getting over the cold that he caught on the flight over here, and we went shopping for the first time. Rachel was shocked that a small bag of groceries costs $40. We found some oats that the kids like in their porridge. And after church yesterday we were given a car by Uncle Randy. Here it is - a Rusty Nissan Maxima.

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Now we have to work on getting insurance and the registration. I was going to say "slowly by surely" but as we have been here less than a week, and already have a bank account, phone number, car and a library card, its a little faster than slowly; Quickly and surely we are settling into our new life here.

We even got our first bit of post addressed to us at this new address!

Interesting Discoveries

Earlier today I went for a walk. Rachel and I took advantage of one of the many aunts we now have in the same household to stroll down to the Moir park. It was an interesting walk, as we saw 4 deer and a blue kingfisher. I also made an interesting discovery. My reactive glasses react far slower in the cold of Minnisota.

Who'd have thought it?

Second Morning

So, the second morning here, and Rachel is already re-arranging the rooom we are sleeping in. But in keeping with the fine tradition of Minnesota, we were woken by the sound of snowploughs trundling by the main street outside.



This is the view from the other side of the house. Emmalyn told Grandma that it was winter - maybe it's still fall in Bloomington, but to the rest of the civilized world, I suspect that it's winter.

First Full Day

Its evening on Friday, and I am pretty tired. However, we did get our bank account sorted out, and I am signed up to a job agency. I also have a new American number on my old mobile; I guess that makes it a cell phone now.

Elisha isnt feeling too well, he has a little cold and is a little hot. There are periods of time when he feels himself, such as this evening when we sang "glory to his name" with him, as he ran around the couch in the living room.

Rachel is tired, but starting to sleep a little better. Emma has been playing up and got a stern talking to with a little smack to re-enforce good behaviour.

The job agency phoned the house today while I was out, and would have offered me a job if I had been able to contact them sooner. But it wasnt to be, and when I did get in contact they said the chance had gone to someone else. The Lord knows best. They have my phone number now, so there's little chance of that happening again.

Tommorow I am hoping to get my Minnesotian driver licence sorted. But I have to get to bed tonight. I'd kinda tired, as you may have suspected!

Arrival

Well, we made it. Thanks to Peter for driving us to the Airport, to Rose for lending us the large car, and NWA for getting us here. No problems, and the visa processing was nice, quick and easy. Ron and Pam have welcomed us, and Michelle even went out to buy some PG tips for me. I feel almose like an honoured guest rather than a part of the family.

So, everything fine, starting to settle in tommorow.

Tuesday Morning

Although the majority of the work is done, there is still a whole lot of little bits that remain to be done. Small things, like having the Paulie come over to take the ironing board. Oh, here he is.

TTFN

First Post

Hey Folks,

Its Monday evening, and the ol' appartment in Southampton is looking pretty bare. We've completed the shipping side of things - after a mad few days of sorting and getting rid of stuff, the shipping company was in and out of here in only about 4 hours. It seemed a short time in comparison to the ages we spent preparing. Now we only have a few items left to give away or chuck. The big computer is gone, and I'm setting this all up on the laptop.

Regrets: We shipped all the musical instruments. And the CD's. And the backup of the music on the main computer. So I only have the limited amount of music to play on the laptop speakers.

Happy Because: We're nearly there!