Monday, October 04, 2004

Five-Week Update by Andrea

Wow, we've only been here for five weeks and it seems like we've been here for several months. In the short time that we have been here, we have been involved in rearranging and redecorating our sanctuary, creating PowerPoint presentations and a DVD for the youth pastor, decorating the foyer and bulletin boards for autumn and painting and decorating Eric's office (which included dropping a gallon of paint on Eric's carpet). We have also been involved in our church's annual Bible conference by leading worship, decorating for the pastors' dinner, and creating the programs and bulletin board for the conference.

While we have been here, we have experienced weather ranging from warm 80 degree days to 50 degree days. We've had our first frost with mornings in the 30's and ice on our windshields, and about a week ago, we had lots of rain and our first snow storm. The snow was mostly in the mountains and some places in town got about one-half inch. It didn't snow where we live, though, and the snow melted within a day after the storm when the weather got up to the 60's.

There has been one new thing to discover after another. I'm still amazed when I see a deer or family of deer. When I go garage sale-ing (great bargains by the way), I sometimes see them eating someone's flowers or shrubs. They don't seem to mind humans at all. We've also seen a herd of antelope that were grazing about a half-mile from where we live. There are so many things that take my breath away - like the night sky with all the stars, the mountains covered with pine trees, and the fresh, clear air.

There are fields of hay that are harvested all around us. I've never seen so many dogs in the back of pickup trucks before in my life. God has been showing us new things each day and it is exciting but we haven't forgotten our friends and family. We look forward to seeing many of you soon. Montana's a great place to visit in the summertime and winter if you like snow!