3 weeks later already... time is flying here. Today is the official halfway point of September.
The air is crisp in St. John's and fall is definitely in the air. No leaves changing colour yet, but I'm sure it's coming.
It's been interesting here. This move has not been easy. If I look back, when I moved to Victoria it was difficult. When I moved to Vancouver a few months later it was also a big challenge. And now here, in St. John's, it has been no different. As I should know and expect. But it turns out that after I am nice and settled into a place, I forget the rocky time at the beginning as it fades into distant memory... hence, I kind of forgot what it was like to move. But, that will come again.
There were a couple sunny spots to this past weekend. On Saturday, Brianne and Robert-- Lindi's cousin/ my friend and her fellow- invited Brian and I over for a BBQ. It was just lovely. I have been aching a bit for that kind of fellowship and there it was. We sat in the kitchen with grilled chicken to perfection, golden corn on the cob (a rareity in these parts, such good produce!) and a splash of red wine. Good conversation and good fun was had by all.
Then, Sunday morning. Decided to try out a new little church, and it also happened to be the first Sunday that this church, Mosaic, was having their service in the morning instead of night. They are a small church which is held in the chapel on the Memorial campus.... and it was great. We walked in there, and people were SO friendly. They have half an hour before the service where you can just drink coffee and eat goodies and chat... met some really nice people. And it was authentic and though-provoking and reverent and worshipful and inspiring... and full of love. As someone pointed out to me, "Your heart was smiling there, wasn't it". Yes, it truly was. Looking forward to going back.
Sunday afternoon Brian and I went to the first introductory meeting of the St John's orienteering club. This involved being handed a map with flags on it, and running along the trails/ tramping through the underbrush trying to find the elusive (some of them) hidden flags. It was great fun. We'll do it again, thats for sure.
And its thing's like these that slowly help to make this quirky city poised on the edge of the north Atlantic more like home.
4 comments:
Jen.I love the way you write. It is really from the heart.
Hi Jen. I agree with Anonymous, who happens to be your mother. Love from Dad
Jen,
i decided to be the only one not from your family (though, i wish i was...and we kinda are in this Dutch heritage, aren't we? or at least, it feels like it!) to comment on this post.
i'm happy to hear that you are well and finding those things that make your "heart smile." it encourages me to stick myself out there a bit more in this new environment i'm in. and it's good to know that i'm not alone in this awkward stage of life, even if you are a country and 1.5 times zones away!
oh Jen. i miss you. and i <3 you.
keep on keeping on.
R
Jen: It is always a pleasure to read about your journey through your blog! Thank you for your encouraging words. :) All the best as you set down roots in your new community.
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