Settling in...

Well, the settling in process is underway. For the last couple of weeks it's felt like I was just back home for Christmas and I don't think it had completely hit me yet that I would not be returning to Indiana. This afternoon as I walked the 1km to the mailbox I breathed in the fresh air, soaked in the prairie sunset, and smiled - this is home. I think living on the edge of the city, with many white-tailed neighbours, is going to suit us just fine.

We've unpacked almost all of our boxes now and our basement suite is starting to feel like ours. With just over 2000 square feet, our place is feeling very spacious! Kijiji has been our friend as we finish furnishing our new space. I'll try to post some pictures soon.

All of our fears about moving in winter were for naught. We arrived to an almost snowless prairie and above average temperatures, around +3C (37F)during the days. I am bracing for the cold snap which is sure to come and bought a parka in preparation, my first purchase upon returning to Manitoba.

Yesterday we took advantage of living close to Carrie's family by zipping out to Altona for lunch and picked up a few more boxes that we had in storage there. Carrie's niece has a 16th birthday tomorrow and it will be nice to be in on the family celebration. I love being closer to my family as well. My brother and his girlfriend, who live about an hour away, are coming over on the weekend for supper and an evening of Corner Gas, and we're looking forward to visits from the Saskatchewanites.

This is a sabbatical time and the exhaustion of our busy fall has caught up to us both. Rest has been a much needed luxury that we've been taking advantage of while we're unemployed. I've been sleeping 8-10 hours each night and often sneaking in a nap as well! As far as work, Carrie and I are both approaching the next several months as a period of watching and waiting to see what opportunities may arise. We anticipated that it would take some time to discern where ministry opportunities may be opening up, but have been surprised by the hints of openings that have been presenting themselves already in our first couple of weeks here! In the mean time I've been applying for jobs that would utilize my smorgasbord of skills for this self-supported sabbatical.

Though there are certainly things I miss about Indiana and moments of disorientation during this transition, for the most part I am very glad to be settling back into Winnipeg life.