Church Hunting

One of my least favorite things about moving to Virginia has been looking for a new church to attend.  The one I left at home is great; I had a place, I fit, I knew people.  My church was such a big part of my life, and today I am missing it.

Even though Brian has technically lived in Virginia for about a year and half, he was deployed for a big chunk of time, and has frequently been on duty Sunday mornings.  So, even though he's visited a couple churches on his own, he hasn't found one he has attended regularly.

When I've been down visiting, we've gone to several other churches together.  It is awesome to see how big and diverse is the body of Christ.  A church is a building; The Church is God's people.

But as awesome as it is to experience different congregations, we just haven't found a church that we're going to call our home-away-from-home.

I am ready to be settled in a new congregation.  I grow weary of church hopping:

-Wondering if people will look down on me for wearing jeans.
- Walking in and not knowing anyone.  It seems like every else knows every one else.
- Either being pounced by greeters, or not being greeted at all.
- How do they do communion!?  AM I GOING TO HAVE TO USE A COMMON CUP!?!?
- What are all these songs!?!?  We have sung 7 songs, and I didn't know a single one!  
- Church inside jokes- why is the whole congregation laughing?  Did I miss something?
- Trying to evaluate the teaching, without being an arrogant jerk.

Sigh.  I am super eager to be done with all of that.  There is at least one more church we want to try, and hopefully that'll be it.  If not, maybe we should go back to one of the ones we've liked better, and just stay put there for awhile to get a better feel.

But for today?  Brian is on duty.  And even though it is Sunday, I just can't make myself brave a new church alone.

Thankful that God is in my heart, and I can worship wherever I'm at.  Asking Him to guide Brian & I as we find a new congregation to be part of.  And looking forward to going back to New York in a couple weeks to worship at our home church :-)  

Welcome Home

After a whirlwind wedding week, followed by a great honeymoon with my new husband, I am here in my new home of Virginia Beach.

This week Brian has gone back to work, which has left me on my own during the days (as well as a couple nights).  I am keeping myself busy with:

• Running errands... mostly to the grocery store.  I miss Wegmans.  A whole lot.  I also spent a morning across town at the Social Security office.  This is about the same level of fun as going to the DMV; you get a number, you sit down, and feel the life being sucked out of you.  But good news- my name is changed with SS & we are one step closer to getting Navy stuff taken care of.
• Unpacking...  this is my least favorite thing to do.  Right now all I have left is the box of stuff that I don't know where to put.  I am tempted to just stick it in the front closet, but I am going to resist. 
• Laundry... I love laundry.  I am not even kidding.  There is something so satisfying about taking a big mess of dirty clothes, and turning into a warm pile of folded goodness.  And there is something extra satisfying about getting to do laundry for my husband.
• Cooking...  something else that I like a whole lot!  I am not a super great cook, but I haven't made anything awful (yet!).  I am still learning how to meal plan, and grocery shop.  And I am on Pintrest all the time looking for new things to try.  I am having fun :-)

Of course, the best part of my day is when my husband comes home from work!  And I am super excited that tomorrow he has the day off!!  We don't know what we're doing yet, but we know we want to have an adventure!!  There is the Neptune Festival at the beach, but the weather may not cooperate.  But whatever we do, it will be awesome to get to spend the day together.  

I am loving marriage & loving life.