Getting Going...

I have been in Maple Plain, MN for a little over a month now, and I am feeling like things are just picking up. Sure, I've jumped straight into ministry along side my husband, but I have been trying to figure out MY place. So, it looks like it is piecing together nicely. Teaching in Minnesota is going to be a bigger challenge than I thought. God knows best. I have to go back to school in order to be up to par with the competition. I start next week at Crown College on an adventure to complete my Elementary Licensure with a concentration in Middle School Science. I am very excited to get going! Also, I will be starting a new job at the end of this week/beginning of next week. I am the newest employee at Caribou Coffee in Long Lake. I know many of my friends have worked or still work for Starbucks, but you have not experienced true joy in a cup of coffee until you sip on a drink from Caribou. It is truly magical and I am happy to stand behind it as a representative and supplier. Hmm, I feel like one right now!

You Are Missed!

There are many, many, people that I am missing right now, but these girls are definitely near the top! I am loving meeting new people and new students here at Maple Plain Community Church. In fact, I am surprised at how quickly I have come to connect with some of them. Still, I miss my girls. I miss our weekly meetings, and sitting by them at Haven. I miss bumping into some of them at their work around the community, and meeting them for coffee. I am so proud of this group of young women, and I am nothing but excited to hear of their futures as they graduate, go off to college, and discover their hopes and dreams. I've always shared with them that God has a personal and beautiful plan for each of them. I pray that they hold that truth close to them as they move on to bigger and better things. With love!!!

Pictures of our new home!

Our home

the living room...

kitchen

the dining room

the sun room (home of the ladybugs!)

the office

our bedroom

the guest room (there's room for you!!)

the basement/future game room

Asian Lady Beetles

Okay, so I was wrong about the ladybugs. Apparently they are Asian Lady Beetles. A few days after posting my blog, I walked into my sun room and saw a massive swarm along the inside of the windows. They are harmless, but having them in my house kind of creeps me out. So, I had Gregg vacuum them up and take them outside. I did a little research and found that they usually come in through windows and cracks in your home just before the first frost. Basically, it will happen every winter as long as you have imperfections in the structure of your home. Bummer.

Ladybugs

Most people have ants, spiders, perhaps cockroaches, but rarely do you hear of ladybugs, in their homes. Well, apparently there is a large population of ladybugs living in Minnesota. Let me explain. When we were visiting in January, I saved a little ladybug in a friend's home and since we've been in our home, we've had some of our own! Still, I would much rather have ladybugs in my home than those other bugs mentioned above. On the other hand, I wonder if they carry any weird diseases...

Minnesota

We're home!!

I am so excited to be here. After 3 days in the car, I am relieved to be home. The house is coming along nicely. I can't wait to finish the last touches so I can post some pictures. Gregg and I are doing great and we have felt so welcomed into the community! We have had visitors left and right, all of which bring some kind of treat or dessert. It has been so nice! I can't believe the generosity. I miss CA, but I am so excited to see all that God has for us here. I am looking forward to joining our church family on Sunday. Miss you all!

Oh, and if you look closely, the "Welcome to Minnesota" sign is in the background...Yes, we staged it.

Late...

Okay, so I know that it has certainly been a while. I even have some of my friends (Kay and Katie) saying I should be deleted! In reality, I haven't written for a while because there has been so much going on in my life. To get you up to date, I have been let go from my teaching job and am planning on moving to Maple Plain, Minnesota in about 3 weeks! God has truly been evident and present through the whole process. I will explain more soon (really!) and will keep you all updated on the hind sight of the move. We are heading there next Wednesday to finalize things, so we will know more facts and dates when we return.