Arrived, Acclimated, Job Searching

I'm not sure how to condense two weeks of small and great adventures, stories and thoughts into a concise blog post. Let me begin by stating how welcomed I have been! From the first day of moving in, friends stopped by to say hello, help me unpack and eat pizza in order that we might make a home in a house.

I did not anticipate that cleaning and organizing and rearranging could be so delightful, but as Mark Twain said of Tom Sawyer,

"If he had been a great and wise philosopher, like the writer of this book, he would now have comprehended that Work consists of whatever a body is obliged to do, and that Play consists of whatever a body is not obliged to do." 

Therefore I have scrubbed my floors, cupboards, stove, microwave, sinks, all the while recognizing what fun it is to watch the dirt fall away and the home take shape. And what a sweet home it is! Lou Ellen (that's my landlord and TJ's mom) updated the house and it has a wonderfully large kitchen with a spacious counter top, a new bathroom, and this sweet little corner of book shelves that follow the stairs to the finished basement. I have been very blessed. Completely furnished and the cupboards were stocked with dishes and pots and pans so that I have been able to explore a new side of living with one self - cooking!

And not just so-called sandwiches. I have actually made two chicken dinners (winner winner both), split pea soup, beef stroganoff, and....salad. I realize of course that listing three dinners is not very impressive in itself, but for me to have pulled out a cookbook, read it, and followed it with a nicely fragrant dish at the end, is nothing short of maturing. I have also made bread with nearly every meal which TJ has kindly requested, as it is still winter time, we cut the carbs short. We have been to the gym a few times and it is so nice to work out with somebody! I have not been pushed since I worked with my brother-in-law.

Anyway, these two weeks have been a time of meeting new people, making new friends, and spending time with old and new friends alike. Every time I go into town, either to buy something or leave a resume, I meet a friendly face and have a unique interaction. One time I was looking for wax beans for a recipe and could not find them. I asked the attendant that was stacking the shelves and had not realized that he was deaf. Well, he had me write down "wax beans" on the cardboard and looked high and low for them. Finally, when it was clear they were not on hand, he wrote,

 "Open beans, then light candle." 

He laughed heartily at his joke, and I thought him quite a clever man. 

As for a job, well I am hoping to hear something today, but we shall see. I left my resume at every financial institution, because that is what I have recently had experience in. No one is hiring, but I did not expect any place to be. I spoke with the school for a Teacher's Assistant job or subbing. There are two main jobs that I hope to hear back either today or sometime this week. The one is in Conrad (about twenty to thirty minutes away) and is an Assistant Director at their library. I do like the sound of it, but we shall see! The other is a Dental Assistant position at the local Medical Center. Both have the same starting wages, are full time, and come with benefits. Yet I have heard from neither so that is all I shall say for those.

Some of my highlights have been working on the ranch for two days, attempting to give blood, watching a girls high school basketball game, church, and Valentines Day. Those are all little stories that I don't believe I will bother my readers with at present, but suffice it to say that this has been a time of conquering fears (small and big), of trying new things, of deepening relationships, and of trying to keep up with all these fast-paced small town Montanans!

I believe that is all that I have for the present, thank you for those that are praying for me and for those that have given of their time and money to help make this Little Blue House a home. My sister, cousins, Aunt, Mom, Dad (especially this guy, not only did he nurse me back to health after the road trip stomach flu, wash all my windows, bought me all my first groceries and cleaning supplies, but was also such a wonderful support and friend for my first few days here) and friends have sent things like candles, mugs, calendars, pictures, books, christmas lights, practical tools, switch plates and light bulbs. The people here in Montana have been generous with food, trash cans, pots and pans, dishes, time, and kindness. God is faithful and His mercies are new every morning!