American Freezers

Is it just me, or are tall American fridge/freezers all designed to work best at the temperature at which ice-cream is most easily scooped? Or may be  I just haven't left the ice-cream in long enough to harden...

Third Week of Snow

It's the beginning of the third week here, and the snow continues to lie thick on the ground. I am enjoying the cold, and am grateful for the 6 foot long wool scarf that I knitted for myself many years ago. It isn't something that was really required in the UK, but its certainly nice to have it here in Minnesota.

In other news, we decided that the Nissan Maxima isn't a car worth keeping. There are three things possibly wrong with the engine, and the rust on the body makes me think that even if it was worth putting money into repairing the motor, the body would rust out before we could get enough miles on it.

Frustrating News: I had a call from the job agency across the street asking me if I had my Social Security number yet. Reading between the lines, this means that they aren't willing to employ me without a number. I can't apply for most jobs online without a number. I cant seem to do anything without a number! I am not a number yet!! So, that's the frustrating news.

Happy News: We got together with Mumum last week. We took the kids over and made black walnut cookies. Yum Yum! Then Saturday was her Birthday and I took Emma to buy and deliver some flowers. Then we got white chocolate and Macadamia nut cookies! Yay (even if the chocolate was topped up with some dark) Grandmas are great for cookies.

On Wednesday I plan to go to the registration class for the GED, which is a diploma certifying that you have reached high school standard in your education. Lord willing, this wont take too long, and then I can see about maybe some kind of further education.

We visited the third of the Churches in this area, Divine Love Fellowship in Champlin, and were treated to dinner afterwards by the Pastor there, Paul Baird. So that was nice. Times are good, and if I can relax about the number and the job, I think I can have a nice time waiting. I've even found time to start on www.scripturestudies.net again. So, go have a look!

Second Week

Its the start of the second week in Minnesota, and it's already snowed twice. It snowed on the day after Julia told us that we are in for a long, cold, snow free winter. She is now considering a career in weather forcasting.

Last week we continued the process of settling in. I bought the biggest boots that I have ever owned, and we got winter boots for the kids too. Here's a photo of Elisha modeling my boots.

It's also been a week of parties and leftovers. On Thursday we had Thanksgiving, and I can proudly say that I contributed by carving the 24lb turkey. I enjoyed doing it, and I was told that I did quite a good job. So that was nice. Then on Saturday we had a welcoming party organised by Evelyn. She went to some lengths to make it a nice get together, even having a special sign made which I was allowed to keep aferwards.

I preached at Grace Ministry on Sunday, which is Don Hoffman's church, and I think it went quite well. I am still looking for the leading of the Lord as to the place where we should settle down.

The car we got has an engine problem. It was diagnosed by Nate as a Throttle Position Sensor problem, and he is looking into what it would take to get that sorted. So once we know we need to make a decision about the worthwhileness of putting money into a car named Rusty. At the moment it doesnt look like it will cost too much, but it's still something we have to think about.

Job hunting is still going on, but it has been slightly hindered by the colds that we have all gotten. Rachel was kept awake on Saturday night by my snoring, and in the morning Emma told me "Daddy, your snoring is funny!" But I dosed myself up with Lemsip, Throat coat, vit C, clementines, hot lemon and honey, and good ol' PG tips, and I didnt snore quite as badly last night.

Catch you all later then, and Lord bless.