Update

We are finally getting settled in our new home. I have the girls room left to unpack and then we should be set. Now that its all coming together it feels like home. We have also been getting to know everyone which has been nice. Things are starting to settle now so we will be working on getting back into our daily routines, especially since hubby official starts on Sunday.

One of the adjustments we have had to make is switching from Old Calendar to New Calendar. After much thought and prayers hubby and I made the switch on the feast of the Dormition. We will still try and attend feast day services on the Old Calendar at the Parish's here but we will observe the new calendar.

We plan to start homeschooling slowly next week. We signed up for our library card, what a difference there was. We were fortunate to live within a few miles of our previous library which was very large and had a large selection of books. The new library is small but so charming and seems to have a good children's selection. I have the base of our curriculum set. Next I am going to work on adding in some fun activities.

Yesterday we experienced winter for us. The low was in the 40s and the high in the 70s. That's winter for us Arizona folk. We are hoping the weather changes gradually to help us ease into it. There was also an earthquake, one of the last things we thought we would experience here. We did not actually feel it though, or we may have and just thought it was our kids jumping up in down. ;)

I have been reading Keeper of the Light by Bev Cooke. I read the following excerpt last night:

"I know it's hard. But that is a Christian's job, my son. To love God and to trust Him, no matter how bad things are. ... Trust Him to love us infinitely. ... Trust that His justice is the best for us no matter what. Trust enough to love Him when things are even this bad. Trust that we will be enfolded in His grace and mercy."

It was such a blessing to read this. With so much uncertainty right now for us it was a nice reminder to place all our trust in God and that we are very fortunate to be where we are. I struggle with the unknown, I have been one who likes plans and wants to be organized for those plans. I need to embrace this time in our life  to become a more pious Orthodox Christian. We may not have a plan but if we place our trust in Him he will provide and will not give us more than we can handle. Lord have mercy, on me a sinner.

Our First Week

It has been an adventure thus far in our new life. Once we reached home it took a couple days for our stuff to arrive. During those days the family was sick with a stomach bug. It was a little lonely sitting in an empty house while the hubby and kids were sick but it made me realize how attached one can be to material things and how I should be grateful that we are all together.

We went to our first Liturgy at St. Tikhons and at first it seemed a little foreign to me. We are use to a different translation but the church was absolutely beautiful. Breathing the incense was like a breath of fresh air. As service progressed I couldn't help asking myself if we made the right decision. As soon as Liturgy was completed we were flooded by people recognizing us as a new seminarian family. Everyone was so kind and offered so many words of comfort and encouragement.

Our stuff arrived on Monday but due to the size of the truck they were unable to drive onto our road. Hubby and I began frantically looking for an alternative. We rented a truck from a Uhall that we passed by. Thanks to Rebekah's help enlisting her husband and another seminarian we were able to unload the whole truck on Monday night. We are still working on unpacking and getting the whole house together but in due time it will happen.

We are fortunate to live near another semaniaran family who has been over to introduce themselves and bring us goodies. They have been so nice to offer words of encouragement to us and help us with any questions we have about the area.

Last night we attended Vigil where we were able to experience our first services including a Bishop, and not only one Bishop but two. The Kursk Root Icon was also visiting. Hubby posted some pictures on his blog. I spent most of the time outside with the little ones but was kept company by other seminarians wives and little ones.

So far the adjustment is going well. Everyone is so friendly and it seems as though life long friendships will be made here. I still have moments of fear and doubt but are often dissipated by the sense of community here.

Culture Shock

We arrived at our new home yesterday. I am experiencing a bit of culture shock. Everything is so different than what I am accustomed to. It's completely opposite than what we came from. I am praying that once we go to church I will feel a piece of home.

When I start to feel overwhelmed I can't help but think that Christ asked to leave everything behind and follow him.

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