I'm back in my old, temporary stomping grounds...that's right, Cadillac. There's a college fair at the high school tonight but since I'm not staying at a hotel here, I'm currently hanging out at the library 'til it's time to head over in an hour and a half. Thank goodness for wireless. I don't think I'll ever buy a laptop without wireless capabilities, because I seem to be able to connect to the Internet almost anywhere now.
I stopped in at the hospital to say hi to my old coworkers and found that not much had changed. I get the impression that they are not really that happy with the new person they've hired for communications/grants, but they were spoiled by Lauren, the last communications specialist. She would be a hard act for anyone to follow. They seemed happy to see me, though. When I didn't get responses to the emails I sent them earlier, I kind of thought they were blowing me off, but now I know they were just busy.
This week of travel hasn't been bad. Staying at the same hotel the whole time is very nice, even though I have to drive back to TC after the fair and post-fair festivities this evening. On Monday night I went biking with Adrienne, which was a great way to catch up. She's basically been offered a job as a floating physical therapist at Munson, and if she accepts, they're going to pay for her last semeseter's tuition. Plus, she's always wanted to live and work in Traverse. The biggest sticking point is her Indiana-based boyfriend, who is understandably sad that she's going to be so far away from him next year. The thing is, he has made a commitment to work for this engineering company for at least one more year, and he definitely does not expect her to move to IN for him. He doesn't even want to settle there in the long run. So this whole conversation they're having is pretty much unneeded, because no matter where she is, she'll be away from him. The compliating factor is that he wants to get married. She wants to marry him, too...eventually. Like in a few years. After she's had her time in TC and Colorado, where another job opportunity awaits her. I'm not quite sure why I just went over all that...I don't think most people reading this even know Adrienne or would care, but oh well.
On Tuesday night, I got to hang out with Adrienne and some of the girls she's met up there. We watched "The Other Sister," which was actually a very good movie. Still kind of chick-flickish, like I figured, but kind of touching as well.
I know I've neglected to post anything about the Jars of Clay concert I attended on Friday night. This is dorky, but I had this whole blog idea in my head: my reaction to this concert along with something I wrote after seeing the first one a few years back. I'm just going to shorten it, for now, to saying that the concert was great and I had a wonderful time seeing Marc, Sarah and Ryan.
Here's something I'm struggling with, faith-wise: I know many people, all equally dedicated to their faith, who feel it's a priority to find a church family. I know others who feel that's not so important. Whatever category you fall into, I'd really like to hear your reasons for making the decision you have. Jenn, your email about this was very helpful and inspiring...thank you so much for your prayers!
Well, it's time for me to actually catch up on some of the work I've been neglecting in favor of spending much-needed time with Adrienne. Goodbye!
1 comment:
I am one of those who fall into the "find a church home" category. I think it must come from the way I was raised. Where ever we lived, my mom always had the three of us (mom, sister, and me) attend the First Presbyterian Church of (fill in the city name). My Dad, who was Jewish, would come every now and then to see me sing or to help out with church projects, etc. For my mom, the church has always been her primary way of meeting people and becoming friends. Now that she is semi-retired and single, she has time to be involved in several community groups and finds friends through those organizations as well.
So I am like my mom. I move to a new place and I seek to find people to connect to and the easiest place for me to start is a church community. Now finding that church can sometimes be frustrating. This time around, it took Grant and I 5 months of church "shopping" to settle down at the First Congregational Church of Oakland.
I think that getting involved in any community orgainization is important when you first move because it allows you to learn more about the place you are living and make some connections to it and the people.
When Grant and I had our 1st Anniversary Tea Party, we were surprised that so many of our very new church acquaintances come over. We felt very affirmed in our new community by that experience.
I hope this reflection helps!
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