Iowa!

We have officially lived in Iowa for 3 weeks!  And quite a lot has happened since then!  Upon arrival in late June, we now have a fully furnished and organized apartment, new cell phones with Iowa numbers (despite some fun "Canadian in America problems....why do you need a social for everything??), a signing bonus and first pay check for Andee, lots of paperwork and learning, as well as seeing a few patients and Andee's orientation, and an amazing volunteer position for myself at our new church, Prairie Lakes Church (PLC)!  Andee and I have also joined a small group, and I am involved with the women's group and am auditioning for the Worship Team next week!  It seems that every time we move somewhere new, the transition gets a little easier each time!  We have both gotten quite skilled at getting involved with a new community and making new friends!  Something I never would have thought possible if we had remained in Canada this whole time!  It's funny how God works sometimes!  Aloe has also adjusted quite well to the move, and his attempts to army crawl under furniture when he thinks we are leaving and taking him in the car have lessened.  He seems to like our new place, especially because he has his own room!  Haha!  And as I am typing this I am sitting on our amazing balcony on a beautiful summer day enjoying the sun and breeze, and I've gotta say, life is pretty good!  Yeah, I said it!  Only three weeks into our new life, and I can actually say I am doing okay!  Mind you, I still very much miss our life in Illinois, as well as our life in Canada, and heck, our lives in St. Kitts and Maine as well, but God has just so clearly outlined so many opportunities here in Iowa to really get connected and be His hands and feet!  Oh, and the Andee getting paid part is pretty great too! 

The first weekend we arrived, we attended our first church service at our new church, PLC!  During this service, the Pastor stated that "it is no coincidence that you are here in Iowa today."  Spooky!  We were floored at this specific promise that God gave us through our new church, and we are really excited to really get more involved with our new church!!  After church, we headed to the Sturgis Falls (the old name for the Cedar Valley area) festival, which was pretty much like a little fair with yummy food and entertainment.  And guess who was performing on stage?  The PLC Worship band!  We were floored again that a public event would have Christian music!  I think I'm starting to really like Iowa!!  We got mini donuts and listened to the music on a sunny warm June day; perfect!

Andee's first week of orientation fell on the week of both Canada Day and Independence Day, both of which we celebrated with barbeques with Andee's coworkers!  We also traveled to Independence, Iowa (about a 25 minute drive), a small little Iowa town that had amazing fireworks for the holiday for which it's name was derived! It was really great to meet some of the other Residents that Andee will be spending a lot of time working with and getting to know better!  We also attended a barbeque with some new friends from PLC, and were able to also join in on their small group a week later!  Yay!

Throughout the week Andee was working a lot, but also learning lots about what his new job will entail!  Something fun; Andee and his fellow R1's got to see the helicopter that transports patients to the University of Iowa Hospital!  Also, Andee got business cards for his new job!  I'm so proud of my Dr. Luke!  For myself, I was volunteering at the church and going our for lunch with some new friends, and getting to know the area!  Thank goodness for GPS on my phone! 

On the weekend, Andee and I visited a local nature preserve, where we were fortunate enough to find ourselves only a few feet from a baby deer!!  If you know me at all, this was a huge highlight for me!!  Andee and I also visited a local public pool, which was a nice treat on a hot day! 

Overall, the past few weeks have been an excellent start to our summer, and an excellent start to our new town, new job, and new life here in Iowa!  Sometimes I have to sit back and just really marvel at the fact that God's got this!  I really don't need to worry because no matter where you are, you're never far from the love of God!  And we are seeing Him all over the place here in Iowa!  Until next time!!