Sorry for the silence here on the blog. Between a tumultuous and emotional goodbye with our dear friends and church family in New York, a 4-day, 43-hour travel time drive across country and two weeks of getting settled in, life has been a little crazy! Also, while we do have wireless internet access at our cabin, there is no physical cable, which is what we need to hook up our computer. So, I'm sitting here at the owner's house, where we come to use the computer, a short walk up the driveway. My father-in-law generously gave me his tablet before they left, so I've been able to keep up with emails and some facebook at the cabin, but typing anything of substance or posting pictures has to happen here at "the big house," as Clara calls it. There are plans to put in a cable to our house this summer, so until then I'll do my best to come over here and post somewhat regularly. I still have stories I want to tell about our move and there are more stories every day and we discover life here at the ranch.
We are definitely beginning to feel at home here. The ranch manager and his wife are lovely people and we have enjoyed getting to know them a bit. The owner was here last week and it was wonderful to meet him and spend some time with him. He came to dinner at our house one night and he and Clara sat on the love seat playing, laughing, looking at pictures and making up stories for over and hour and a half. Seeing these people face to face and talking with them in person has been such a blessing and confirmation to us that we made the right decision to move here. They are all Christians, which is also such an encouragement to us and wonderful to have that fellowship far out in the middle of nowhere.
On a more superficial note, the cabin is beginning to feel more organized and home-like. Just yesterday the manager's electrician son and his family came for a visit and he, together with Luke and his dad, installed our brand new stove and washer/dryer! What a blessing! I had been doing pretty well baking in my convection toaster oven that my grandmother gave me last year for my birthday (THANK YOU GRAMMIE!!) and cooking on the two-burner hot plate, but it is so wonderful to have a real oven and range! We had been toting our laundry up here to wash and dry it, which wasn't a big deal, but it is so nice to have that convenience in our own home as well and not have to run over to switch loads.
Luke is loving his work and has told me several times, "I can't believe I'm getting paid to do this!" We have all been loving the fact that some unseasonable inclement weather has meant he's been able to be home with us a little more than normal (and MUCH more than he was in NY!). Even on the days he's "gone" most of the day, we usually see him for a late breakfast, lunch and then he's home before dinner. Hearing Clara yell in excitement, "DADDY'S HOME!!!!!" is always one of the best parts of my day, so getting to hear it two or three times, instead of just once a day, is even more wonderful!
Clara and I have been having a great time setting up our house, taking walks to explore the country around our cabin and visiting the people and animals down at the main ranch, which is a two mile drive down the road. We also made a trip into Winnett one day and visited the library which is inside the elementary school. They had a small children's section but apparently they have a very good interlibrary loan system and we definitely plan on going back.
I could go on but it's starting to get dark and chilly here at the big house, so it's time for me to head back down to our cabin. More to come, with pictures, hopefully before too long.
