The wallpaper in my new bedroom is very... floral. It's all pastels and flowers, repeating the same bouquet over and over again until my eyes are blurry with them... flowers everywhere. And I love it.
Our journey across the ocean was as expected, and therefore very un-blog-worthy. We had our exciting moments, our stressful moments, our funny moments, but none that would hold your attention for very long.
But now we are here, in Minneapolis, this new place. We have a house, we have a car, we have new phone numbers. All came with its own adventure, but here they are, nicely in a row. And I finally have a moment to sit and look back and appreciate.
Acclimating to American culture has been a little more difficult than I expected. I knew it would be hard to leave England, as we grew some serious roots there in the five years we stayed. But I expected to be able to come 'home' and appreciate 'MURICA for all that it is. The convenience, the sights, the sounds, the people. And I, instead, am finding myself overwhelmed. I miss the quietness of our little village. I miss the frustrating way that people would just pull over to the side of the road if they got the urge (well, maybe I miss the way OTHER people didn't mind that they did that). I miss the slowness of England (and I say 'slow' in a good way here). The quickness of offense that rises in people here is a little jarring after the quiet tide of English life for so long. I had a very hipster dad and his 3 year old son get INCREDIBLY annoyed at me in Target (to the point of giving me a little speech) for... having too much in my cart at the checkout lane? I'm still not sure.
In our short time here, we have met some FANTASTIC people. I mean, come out the gate and support your huge and needy family from day one even though the weight on them is HEAVY FANTASTIC. And that encourages me to no end. But I find myself looking over my shoulder every so often, imagining I can see my quiet English life just turning the corner, giving a small wave and quick wink, doing it's best to encourage me to take another step in the opposite direction.
I am excited by what we are doing here. I am excited about our house and our neighbors and the kids' school. I am excited about the prospect of trees turning colors and snow covering the ground. But my heart still aches for the home I left behind. And I think it will take time for that to fade.
I walk forward while giving myself patience. I am gentle on myself when the tears come unbidden to my eyes. I trust that God has lit this path for a reason, and that what lies just beyond is something that will bring His glory to those who need it most.
