New Friends

We are busy making new friends everyday. As a mom, I think I have it easy. Our neighborhood is filled with moms that have been very friendly to me, there are moms' groups in our township, and numerous ways to get involved in the elementary school. I now have a group of moms that I go out with once a month for "book club." Oddly enough, there are no books involved, just lots of laughter and a few drinks that our husbands would be embarrassed to order! Most of the mom's refuse to head home until they are sure everyone at their house is safely tucked in bed. Makes for a very late night out!

Slowly, as I continue to build relationships with some of these ladies, I find that they have questions about God, and the conversations turn to spiritual things. I feel privileged to get to wrestle through these questions with them.  Being the "pastor's wife," in their minds I guess, qualifies me to be  the "go-to girl" for all things Bible related!

For the older kids, finding friends has not been as easy, but they have done a great job. They have the pleasure of learning the social maze of high school and middle school, and even, in Lydia's case dodging fist fights in art class! Tennis helped Lydia meet a great group of girls and running winter track has certainly broadened her horizons even more.

As we talk about their new friendships, we often come back to the idea of having "tell all" friends- those that we trust with our hearts- "fun" friends- those that we simply enjoy being around- and "ministry" friends- those that we really need to reach out to and help them feel like they belong. But most importantly, we remind them that because they are unconditionally accepted by Jesus, they can love others without the fear of being rejected. In other words, they ultimately don't need the approval of their peers because they already have the approval of Jesus. Hopefully, that knowledge will give them the ability to make wise decisions and be friends with lots of kids.

Sick Week

Phil was lucky enough to be at a conference the week that we hosted the Henry's first South Jersey infirmary. Every single Henry child except for Lydia took a turn on the family room couches. Fevers, runny noses, coughs, chills, head aches, etc. The kitchen counter turned into the nurse's station and was well stocked with Sudafed, Tylenol, Advil, hand sanitizer, and the thermometer. I couldn't measure it out fast enough to keep fevers under control and coughs quiet. Why don't the medicine companies make the liquid medicine come in gallon pump bottles? How many times did I have to run to the store for more ammunition against whatever it was we had?

The Phillies have new fans

In case you haven't heard, the Phillies are in the World Series. We are now official fans, because one of the neighbors gave us a yard sign. The same lady gave Noah a Phillies shirt for his birthday. We will need to get shirts for everyone else to be true fans, but that will come in time! I can't believe the excitement and hoop-la over this whole event! You don't mess with some people when the Phillies are on TV.... don't call, don't text them, don't knock on their door!

A look at the new 'hood

We joke that the crisis in the real estate market has let the "riff-raff" into the Snowy Owl Woods subdivision! The Henrys, with all six kids, their huge van, numerous bicycles, AZ yard maintenance skills, and frequent visitors, have moved into the 'hood! Watch out!

Some people marry "above" themselves. We just moved in "above" ourselves! It is a great neighborbood. There are lots of families with kids our ages, several families with grown kids- more than a few are Italian Catholics. We are situated right at the center of our target area, right near a major highway giving us easy access to other parts of the county and Philadelphia.

We have been blessed to move into a much sought after school district as well. The kids are all in good school situations. We are very grateful for that! I especially am very thankful for buses that come and pick the kids up and bring them home. No more 45 minute morning route stopping at 3 different schools.

The house is well suited for entertaining with a big back deck, an open layout, and a finished basement. And with a new kitchen table that seats all 12 people with the leaves in, plus our existing dining room table, we can now seat 22 people comfortably! So far, we have had a waffle brunch, a pizza party, numerous late night fire pit conversations, neighbor kids over for dinner, and a few others that I can't remember.

This weekend, we look forward to hosting an open house celebrating our new home. It should be fun!

A Few New Jersey Differences

We are finally here. By "here" I mean, "here in our new home, and mostly unpacked, kids in school, and just realizing that we really did make it!"

Our summer has been full to overflowing; its hard to know where to start telling that story.

One thing that stood out as we look on our transition to New Jersey is how different life and culture here in South Jersey is from what we knew and experienced back in Arizona.

Its not too much an exaggeration to say that while the two states claim to be in the same nation, there are some very distinct differences that can not be missed.

Here is a quick list of some things that come to mind that make NJ different from Tucson:

1. If you hesitate more than a split second at a stop light in NJ, be ready to be honked at by the guy behind you. Hesitate a whole second and watch for the one finger salute.
2. It is already cold in September, but the Jersey folks don't seem to realize it.
3. We've discovered something called Humidity. It's very interesting. For example, dishes have to be dried with a towel in NJ. They don't just air dry. This has caused much frustration amongst the children. Likewise, bathing suits that have been used in the morning, are not ready to be put back on in the afternoon.
4. Not a single road in NJ is straight. Not a one. Each one has at least five different names, with a new name being given to the road if you travel on it more than a mile. (Even our GPS gets confused. She endlessly says, "Recalculating...Recalculating..." At least she doesn't cry like some of us do!)
5. No one from NJ likes living in NJ, but they stay, because if they move out of the state, they have to pay an extra tax.
6. 65 degrees with 80% humidity is way hotter than one would think especially when doing any sort of physical activity.
7. In NJ, black 5+ ft snakes like to live in basements.
8. In NJ, one goes to the shore, not the beach. Once you are at the shore, it is acceptable to say that you are "going to the beach."
9. There are more people named Vinny or Gino than Juan or Carlos.
10. One hasn't had true pizza until one has experienced it made by someone named Vinny or Gino and is from South Jersey.
11. There is no North Arizona and South Arizona. Here, one must not confuse North Jersey and South Jersey.
12. Most people from AZ didn't even realize the state had a football team until last year. In South Jersey, people don't realize there are other teams besides theirs. The Eagles is a way of life, it runs in the blood. Root for any other team, and you might get that one finger salute again.
13. People in NJ are very aware of history. In AZ, most people are trying to forget history and are more focused on finding the best golf course, hiking trail, or a good reason to take a trip to California.

With all these differences--some more serious than others--we've learned to smile and try to go with the flow...most of the time. We are also thanking God for our new home, because even with all the differences, we're learning to love South Jersey.