Garden City

  On the second Sunday we were here, the 15th, we started our search for a church home.  We did a super judgmental drive by of a church close to the apartment, but didn't even go in.  Then we looked up the list The Village had given us of Acts 29 churches (I think that's the network) and found the closest one which met at 4pm.  That's not a great time for us, but wanted to check it out anyway.  The kids didn't want to go to their classes, but we walked by the kids part just so they could see it and then headed around to the front.  We weren't even all the way to the top of the steps before someone had come out to greet us.  It's a small church plant so I think they have a pretty easy time telling who's new. As soon as they heard we were from Texas they said we had to meet Matt and Faith which we did about 3 minutes later.  They transplanted from Austin 3 years ago, although Matt is Cali born.  We stayed after the service to have a picnic on the front lawn with everyone.  By Tuesday I was at the beach with Faith and three other girls (I use the term girl very lightly, they're all grown women) from the church.  By Wednesday we were at our new home group, at Matt and Faith's house, where most of the faces were familiar which is crazy cause we have been here 3 weeks!

   Tonight was our 2nd home group and we combined with another group for "Fun Wednesday." No Bible Study, just hangout time. I know no one believes when I say I'm not outgoing, but I don't love to do the whole big group get to know you thing.  I must say though, it is an absolute answer to prayer that finding people who will eventually be our Cali family has come so easily.   Faith and I get along smashingly.  She understands the hole in my heart for a Sonic beverage and Blue Bell ice cream.  We've been meeting at Rio Del Mar beach on Tuesdays (well twice we've done that).  But I love her for not going in the ocean and for it being important that you don't have to carry all your junk down stairs and that there's a functional bathroom in her beach requirements.  

   The other thing is the amount of kids that are the same age as our kids is splendid.  Even better than that, there are all these newly weds or young singles that adore all the kids.  We were all hanging out and there are just relative strangers absolutely loving on our kids like they were their own.  It's ridiculous.  The second time we were meeting everyone they were offering to babysit which is yet another huge prayer request answered!  Our kids have really only stayed with family or those that we consider family so moving out here we were very curious how the babysitting side of things would go. You know mommy and daddy need their date nights.  Here we are 10 days in and God has answered that request.  I love when He answers requests you haven't technically asked for, they've just been a concern in the back of your mind.  

   So we've found our people, hopefully they feel the same way about us, and we're gonna be ok.  We might even be great.  A girl could get used to 80 degree weather and a beach nearby.