I'm 3 months in...

Moving away from home - away from friends, family, comfortable smells, routine, a language we know - has proven to be difficult.  I'm 3 months in and there's so much I miss about 'home' that, if I allow myself to dwell on it too long, stirs a little ache in my heart.  I miss my friends so much - playdates, bible studies, getting together for dinner and wine, missed birthdays, not being able to watch friend's babies grow (big kids, too!).  Sometimes it's all too much.  That's when I turn my focus to what I have here - new friends, playdates, a bible study, birthday parties...so much history to explore!  I've found that I need to be intentional with my thoughts and make it a point to get out often.  Afterall, there was a time when Minnesota was new to me and I didn't know anyone or anything.  That all changed; this will too. 

I always ask the women I meet where they are in their stay here in D'dorf.  Did you just get here?  Been here awhile?  Leaving soon?  Almost all of them say they've been here for the length of their husband's work contract (most often 2 or 3 yrs), but love it so much that they extended their stay another year.  I love hearing that.  It gives me hope that I'll get there too.  Actually, I do love it here.  I just love it back home more.  We've been told that will change and I can see how it would.  Life is so laid back and family-oriented here.  The public transportation is easy, fast and reliable.  I've figured out the grocery store, am okay with only having one car and am not afraid to explore on my own.  My bike has seen more road in the last 3 months than it ever had in the past 10 years.  Our stroller is used many times a day.  Our tv is almost never on. 

I'm 3 months in and I think I'll like it...especially after visiting this -

Cathedral in Cologne, Germany