Up North and So Forth

I feel like we are starting to get over the hump of all the adjustments we had to make when we set off on this adventure. There is a noticeable difference between the first few months of being in Maine and where we are now. We have really hit the ground running in 2013. After we got back from an almost 2 week visit to friends and family in PA and OH, life got really busy. But, a good kind of busy.

I accepted a job in kindergarten and have been subbing in the school nearly every day so the staff and kids can get to know me better. The job will last from the middle of February through the middle of June. There are 16 kids in the class and it is all day (as far as I know, half day kindergarten does not exist in Maine). The staff and principal seem pretty great. The school is a small, rural school, which is what I like. It has a very Sporting Hill feel to it.  I keep telling myself I’ll adapt and get used to kindergarteners…but I am really stretching myself. I am excited and terrified.  

Our biggest prayer in Maine has been that we would make friends. Our prayers have been answered through several couples & friends we have met through church and mutual friends. I feel like we are starting to form meaningful relationships. The first few months of our adventure were a little lonely at times because we missed our friends in Ohio (and Pennsylvania…but I’ve been missing them for over 4 years now so I’m a little more used to it). Spending time with friends has really helped Maine feel like home. 

The adjustment that I thought would be one of the hardest has turned into a non-issue…so far. As of now, a Maine winter does not seem to be any different than any winter I‘ve had in Ohio or Pennsylvania. In fact, winter seems better here because it seems to be sunnier more often. I think my four college years in Indiana were some of the worst winters I’ve had. We really like snowshoeing and there are several trails near us that we want to check out. Our goals for this winter are to ski and dog sled.  You should come up and go with us.