E-mails

Friday, November 23, 2007
Hello Stansbury!
We are starting to settle in.  We drove to DC yesterday to have Thanksgiving dinner with our son, Andy.  It's good to be just 2 hours away from hugging one of my children.

We have been going to what we thought was our ward 45 minutes away.  When it got down to getting our records it was discovered that we are in the wrong place.  We are actually in the Rising Sun Branch in Maryland.  That puts us in the Wilmington, Delaware Stake.  We haven't been to that church yet so I'll have to fill you in after Sunday.  It is actually closer.  Just 17 miles and 30 minutes away.
Chuck had to go over to the hospital the other night to solve a problem between the nursing staff and a family whose mother was passing away.  After a lengthy discussion with all the members involved, one of his nurses asked him if he had ever been a minister in a church.  His staff is still trying to figure out if he is a Mormon.  They are too shy to come out and ask him so he is having some fun with this one.
A word about our Amish neighbors.  They run a little market and nursery.  Signs are posted out front that say "No Sunday Sales."  What a great example.  It is a kick to have them so near.  A horsedrawn carriage goes by our house daily.  The other day a buckboard wagon with 3 teenage boys aboard, pulled by 2 horses went clip-clopping by.  Quite a sight.  I have put my camera in a better place to see if I can get a shot and send it to you.
We are missing all of you.  Sorry about the mass e-mail, but I have so many I want to contact.  Things are much better now that I actually CAN.  We will even have our Direct TV hooked up after today.  (Chuck and I are getting tired of having to talk to each other.  We are running out of things to say.)
Take care and keep in touch!  Nancy

Sunday, November 25, 2007
We found our church today.  Our Rising Sun Branch is just 20 minutes away in Maryland.  The buzz is that we will be a real ward soon.  Charlie moving in makes 10 High Priests.  There are 17 in the Primary.  I counted 74 people there today.  The same lady played the organ for Sacrament meeting; accompanied the children as they sang the musical number; and played in Relief Society. I have a pretty good idea what my calling might be.  We felt very much at home in this mini-sized meetinghouse.  Everyone os so friendly and excited to have "fresh blood" move in.  After the block meetings (9:30-12:30) we just hung out and socialized.  Nobody is in a hurry to leave.  The High Priest Group Leader wants to meet with Charlie.  I have a pretty good idea what his calling will be.  I discovered 2 families that are within a mile of us so  now I don't feel so alone.
I was able to meet our across-the-street- neighbor yesterday as we got our mail.  Empty nesters like us but VERY private.  I see playground equipment on both sides of our house in yards but have yet to see any children.  When I walk the dogs I never run into people.  It's like they are all hiding or something.
Just one more little story.
To get our utilities transferred to our name we had to open a State account in Pennsylvania.  I had to "appear in person" with 2 forms of ID at a billing kiosk.  I got the address to the nearest one and asked Chuck's assistant to mapquest it for me. (I didn't have our computer hooked up yet.)  She looked at me and gasped, "You're not going to Chester, are you?  Oh, I guess it will be okay...it's in the day."  I took off for Chester (South Philly) and found myself deep in the heart of row houses.  The kiosk was outside, bullet proof glass, with a lady inside talking to me through a speaker.  The people lined up behind me were much darker than me.  I got my "number" and paid the $2.  I probably should have asked for the address of the safest, not closest, kiosk.  I doubt I will visit Chester again.
I am going to get my license tomorrow.  I have thoroughly checked out the areas and have chosen a DMV I will fell safe in.
Til next time.  Nancy