The Hole in the Hedge - Where's Alice Off to Now?

For Alice, it was a curious rabbit hole that tumbled her into another world. For me, it is a tree-bough arch that leads to new adventures!

Between the parsonage and the church is a thick hedge of trees and bushes, broken by this passageway. The first time she saw it, Lil' Princess imagined it as a doorway into a world of dragons and magic. For me, it has been a gateway into a new community and a new life. Like Alice, I am at times perplexed, delighted, lost, intrigued, and changed.


I wonder what the next chapter will bring?

It's been two weeks in the new call already?

This is the chancel area of new Church #1

This is the chancel area of new Church #2.

I don't have a picture of new Church #3 yet. I'll post one as soon as I get out there with a camera.

It really does blow my mind that we have been here for two weeks. The days have slipped by so quickly, it seems like I barely wake up and it's time to put Lil' Princess to bed for the night. We have begun the slow process of settling in and learning the culture and the parishes. I am starting to feel lonely, and being a part time stay-at-home mom is HARD. I knew it would be, but my patience is really being tested. My life seems to revolve around tending Lil' Princess, driving, cooking, cleaning, a little bit of ministry, and grabbing every stray moment to read. I'm not complaining exactly, it's just an adjustment. A greater one than I anticipated.

I am enjoying all the wildlife (and making my dad drool as I tell him about it!) and the rugged beauty of this area. The people I've met are mostly friendly and glad to have us here. The parsonage is great, and having internet finally is wonderful! Rev Dad seems to be settling in well at his parishes, and enjoying each day filled with new experiences. Lil' Princess enjoys preschool, and having more time with me (though she's not happy with dad being gone more).

I miss my friends. I miss not having to drive more than a mile in a day if I don't want to. I miss my flowers and my great neighbors. I miss knowing my church family inside and out, and being known by them. I miss full time ministry.

I know that we will be fine here, and happy. It all takes time, and change is always unsettling. I just feel so......self-centered. With all the transition stuff going on, my interior life is all about me and what I'm feeling and experiencing, instead of being about others and ministry. That too will settle in time, I know. I just need to keep finding healthy ways of dealing with my loneliness and stress at change.

Well, enough wallowing. Time to drink some tea, read a good book, kiss my husband, and get some sleep.

What more could a gal want?