A Smorgasbord Post...

A few random notes on life these days:

- I have been lucky enough to pick up a few hours of work per week at the chiropractic office that I worked at previously in 2007-2008. They're in between front office staff so I'm just filling in while they look for someone more permanent, and they understand that I'm also looking something else more permanent. It's a mutually agreeable arrangement with the only drawback being commuting part way across the city.

- Canadian Mennonite University's Dean of Student Life heard that I was back in Winnipeg. After hearing a bit more about what I've been studying and training in these past few years, she asked if I'd be willing to join their volunteer counsellors in offering counselling services to students. I will be spending one morning per week on campus, which is only a 5 minute drive from where I live. I am very excited to be connected to that campus again!

- I have lost track of how many resumes I've sent out. Ministry positions are not plentiful so I've been applying for other jobs that would use the skills that I have with organizations whose mission I can stand behind. I have a two applications in right now for 'ideal' positions and am waiting for responses. There are certainly moments when it's difficult to wait (especially when I look at my bank account!) but I've been trying to use this in-between time to rest, re-connect with people, and discern where I may be called to serve in Winnipeg.

- There are certain things that I noticed when I moved to the US, and after 3.5 years there I'm getting readjusted to the opposite things here in Canada again. This is true especially when it comes to grocery shopping. For example, the price of meat is two or three times higher here, but the quality is also higher. Cheese is also more expensive. I remember the prepared frozen food aisles being some of the busiest aisles in Elkhart because it was a really cost effective way to feed your family, but here those foods aren't nearly as affordable. Surprisingly, the price of fruits and vegetables is about the same and in some cases even lower. Advertising on TV also provides interesting social commentary. In the US it seemed that almost every commercial was for health insurance, lawyers or medication, whereas in Canada so many ads are geared toward motivating people to eat right and exercise. And finally, Carrie and I had to laugh when she filled out a survey the other day and it asked her to identify her 'ethnicity' (not race) and then gave her about 30 options to choose from. In Indiana the options where black, white, or Hispanic.

- I am getting used to living and driving in a city again. I never really felt that I left the city while living in Elkhart (pop. approx. 58,000) but coming back to Winnipeg (pop. approx. 600,000) has made it clear that we're in a larger centre once again. I'm so glad that we're living on the edge of the city so that it doesn't even feel like we're in the city most of the time, yet are close enough to all of the amenities.

- After 3.5 years as seminary students in Indiana our Mennonite community had gotten to know us a bit. As we were discovering and developing our gifts for ministry, both Carrie and I were being invited to use our gifts in various capacities. It's a little bit discouraging to move back to a place where hardly no one knows what it is that we have to offer. We anticipated that this would be the case and knew that networking over the next year would be a large part of what we would face upon our return. In some ways networking has been happening faster and more naturally than I ever anticipated, but it still has its challenges. Even though we feel very right having come home to the prairies, there are days when we long for the familiarity and belonging that we had found in Indiana.

- I have been thoroughly enjoying the sunshine and the great big clear sky. I can't say that I miss the Indiana 'permacloud' in the least, however I do miss the beauty of lake-effect snow and foggy mornings (except when I had to drive in it).

- I certainly miss many of my friends in Indiana and think of you often! Today especially my heart is back at AMBS as I received news that a friend of mine who has been fighting cancer for the past two years received disappointing reports this week. I have been grateful for the many opportunities that have already come up to spend time with friends here in Winnipeg. I have been re-connecting over a friend's warm kitchen table, chocolate fondue, a walk in the park, and a leisurely Saturday morning brunch. Being closer to my brother has been wonderful as well. We have also had the opportunity to meet new friends, namely our older neighbour lady across the street with whom we get together for games nights.

- Our basement suite is beginning to feel like home even though we know that we won't be here forever. While we're enjoying the spaciousness of our place, we've discovered that a place can indeed feel too big at times - which is good because we probably won't ever have a place this big again!