5 things

So, we have some friends who also moved 1,000 miles away from everyone and everything that they knew. They moved to New Jersey right after they got married in June of last year. Derek and I got to be married for about 7 mths before we moved cross country. Anyway, this couple orginally had plans to stay for about 5 yrs. However, due to multiple reasons they decided to move home. AND they are moving this weekend! This girl did NOT like living away at all. Sometimes much like me! When I found out, I was SOOO jealous (ok, maybe I still am!). I am not a very jealous person, never have been. However, when I found out they were moving not even a year after they moved, I wanted to be them! I was sick and weak with jealousy (NOT a good combo!:)) While I'm sitting here thinking of them, I am, of course, thinking that I wish it was me moving home but I know that God has us here for a reason. I just need to be reminded of that from time to time. I decided that because all of this jealousy was not good for me I needed to come up with reasons why I do like living here.

1) Most important, what is/has/will do for our marriage. I have said countless times to Derek when I'm upset......I will ALWAYS look back on this time and be grateful. It's hard, yes, but Derek and I are growing stronger together everyday. Although I wish sometimes that we had more friends out here to socialize with, I love spending time with just him. Before we moved, I really couldn't remember going to dinner with just him. We were always going with other couples (which I still love by the way and want to resume when we finally make it back home!:)) I definately DO appreciate the time that we have together! Love you!

2) Our church, it was a daunting thing to search for the one. Especially out here with a billion churches! (Ok, I exagerrated but there is a lot!) We went to about 8-10 different which really isn't that many but having only 4 Sundays a month, it seemed a like a ton! We were definately both ready to be consistent and settled and start getting to know others. We both realized that we would find other couples to be our friends this way! Anyway, we found a church that Derek actually went to when he interned out here 2 summers (almost 3 now) ago. It's about 20 min. away, so not to far. We have gotten involved in small group with 4 other couples and we meet on Sundays after church. We are thankful that we have gotten into a small group and are starting to hang out with new people! 1 of the couples just gave birth to thier first baby so that definately doesn't help my baby craze! Also, our pastor is really good. He's from a church in a suburb of Chicago, so I do like him a little more! And, he's funny and great about intertwining life into the sermons that makes you (at least me) learn a bit more.

3) My job. I really like my job. I work per day at a clinic that has 3 different sites. I work every Thurs. and Friday and most Mondays. I LOVE IT! I know Derek wishes I would work more becuase that pay out here is Really good. But I can't help it, I love it! I love the flexibility it gives me. I mean, I just have to say, I'm not available this day, that day, and they can't do anything! It is the perfect job that I didn't know existed! God has perfect plans!

4) Our apartment. As I said previous post, it was not fun searching the billions of apartment complexes out here (again I exagerrate but again there a lot). However, I am extremely happy with the one we ended up with. Of course, I'm NOT happy with rent price! The apartment is the biggest 1 bedroom that we looked at for the price range and the landscaping is beautiful. It has a good layout, different than most others, 2 pools, 3 hot tubs, and next door to a grocery store!

5) The weather. I can't complain about the weather, at least not really. I missed snow and winter a little bit and I did miss the trees changing but nothing compares with getting spring in mid-Feb! It was great! And pretty much the temp has been 65-75 since, except for the heat wave last weekend. So all in all, pretty good.

Sorry this is so long. It was maybe more for me.