We only arrived little more than a week ago and already we have been blown away by our Amazing God! Thank you to all who have been praying. We got here on Friday the 12th and on the Saturday we heard that the house across the road was empty and the couple may rent to us. We arranged a viewing on the Sunday night and it was perfect! It has three bedrooms and a basement which is like a second sitting room. Although we are shipping a lot of our goods such as beds and drawers etc, this house was part furnished (very unusual to have a furnished rental so I am told) including a couch and electrical goods such as washing machine and dryer and even a dishwasher!!!! There is also a double bed in the house which is such a blessing as we are able to live comfortably until our shipment arrives. After seeing the house on Sunday Andy and I were just speechless. Our previous address in Tummel Bridge was "Riverside", our flat in Stirling which God led us to buy is in Abbey Mills, Riverside, and the house in Ohio we are about to rent is in the Riverview area of Coshocton. When we were here at Easter time, this was the area I felt we were going to live in. As I wash the dishes in the apartment we are in at present I can see our new house from the window. Although desperate to move in the landlords need a little time to finish off some jobs before we can move. We are praying this will be within the next week.
On to Monday and we opened our American bank accounts thanks to Michelle's guidance.
On Tuesday we thought we would go to Mission Auto - a car sales place nearby run by previous missionaries. They give very good discounts to MMS staff and were expecting us. Well, we had just gone for a little look to say hello and after a few hours we had a car - or should I say a mini-van. It is a seven seater and that means that I am able to pick visitors up from the airport (Columbus is a good one in case anyone is thinking of visiting :0). It also happens to belong to a local pastor who we have met on a few occasions. We are planning on settling the deal this coming week. Andy is sitting his Ohio driving test on Tuesday and when he passes ( we pray) we can get insurance for the car and it will be ours. At present we are blessed to have use of a mini-van which someone had donated previously to MMS.
Abi attended her first dancing class on Tuesday afternoon at 4.15. She joined the class no problem and although the others started in September she did her best keeping up with the moves. She even tried to converse with another little girl who just looked at her funny - I think Abi may have to adopt an American accent so they can understand what she says! There are about ten other 3-4 year olds in the class. Travelling home I decided to have a go at driving in the dark. Well the heavens opened and we were introduced to our first Ohio thunderstorm! Driving home in torrential rain in the dark on a different side of the road was quite a hair-raising experience for all of us but with the pace down at 2 miles an hour we managed to get home in one piece!
We also took a day trip to Zainsville - approx 40 minutes away. We had a nice day at the mall and were able to get some pillows and things in preparation for moving into our house.
On Friday there was a Christmas parade down Main Street in the centre of Coshocton at 6.30pm. Abi and Matthew really enjoyed all the sweets that people were throwing at the crowds as they passed and they even had a cuddle from the gingerbread man. Matthew was quite contented with the Trucks, fire engines and ambulance that came down with the lights flashing. Santa was last, riding at the top of the huge fire engine. Abi was overcome with delight when she saw him and keeps asking me if it is Christmas yet! I continually remind her why we celebrate Christmas! It was lovely to see so many people lining the main streets and to meet a few other MMS families. The weather was dry but very cold. You know it is cold when the children are asking to go in their prams and be bundled up!
Today - Saturday we decided to go exploring some more. Not too far away we went to an Amish Bakery! I am not sure if this is a good thing living so close to such an amazing bakery! Then we went on a little further to a place called "Berlin" and explored a large German food shop. Out side there was a car park AND a buggy park for all the Amish horses and carts!
Berlin is quite a popular tourist town with lots of interesting Amish craft shops. My favourite was the Hillbilly bank - a Sock with the opening glued onto a square of wood with a hole for the money. At the bottom of the sock it was cut and tied shut with a piece of string. hang it up and you have your hillbilly bank!
Tomorrow we are going to try our second church. We have decided to spend some time visiting a few - each for two weeks in a row as the ages of Abi and Matthew, often one of us will miss the service. I believe there are 54 churches in Coshocton ( approx). I can confirm that we will not be trying out all of them! : 0)
We have no TV in this apartment - thankfully there is a DVD player. Abi and Matthew are in the process of completing their cross-cultural training programme with the help of Sesame Street's double disc set! We have managed to purchase a 100 piece Tinkerbell jigsaw which is occupying Abi everyday at the moment. We have borrowed a pop up tent which Matthew has made into his "garage". I really should be revising for my written driving test which I will be doing this coming week but I am looking at my American food processor which has arrived from Amazon and planning my first baking session. Only problem is my British kitchen scales are floating on a ship on the Atlantic (we hope) so all my favourite recipes need a little more thought to convert everything to cups!
It's amazing to think we have only been here a week yet so much has happened. God is so good and I shall leave you with 1 Chronicles 16 v 28,29.
" Oh nations of the world, recognize the Lord, Recognize the Lord is Glorious and Strong. Give to the Lord the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his presence. Worship the Lord in all his Holy Splendor. "
God Bless
Heatherx
On to Monday and we opened our American bank accounts thanks to Michelle's guidance.
On Tuesday we thought we would go to Mission Auto - a car sales place nearby run by previous missionaries. They give very good discounts to MMS staff and were expecting us. Well, we had just gone for a little look to say hello and after a few hours we had a car - or should I say a mini-van. It is a seven seater and that means that I am able to pick visitors up from the airport (Columbus is a good one in case anyone is thinking of visiting :0). It also happens to belong to a local pastor who we have met on a few occasions. We are planning on settling the deal this coming week. Andy is sitting his Ohio driving test on Tuesday and when he passes ( we pray) we can get insurance for the car and it will be ours. At present we are blessed to have use of a mini-van which someone had donated previously to MMS.
Abi attended her first dancing class on Tuesday afternoon at 4.15. She joined the class no problem and although the others started in September she did her best keeping up with the moves. She even tried to converse with another little girl who just looked at her funny - I think Abi may have to adopt an American accent so they can understand what she says! There are about ten other 3-4 year olds in the class. Travelling home I decided to have a go at driving in the dark. Well the heavens opened and we were introduced to our first Ohio thunderstorm! Driving home in torrential rain in the dark on a different side of the road was quite a hair-raising experience for all of us but with the pace down at 2 miles an hour we managed to get home in one piece!
We also took a day trip to Zainsville - approx 40 minutes away. We had a nice day at the mall and were able to get some pillows and things in preparation for moving into our house.
On Friday there was a Christmas parade down Main Street in the centre of Coshocton at 6.30pm. Abi and Matthew really enjoyed all the sweets that people were throwing at the crowds as they passed and they even had a cuddle from the gingerbread man. Matthew was quite contented with the Trucks, fire engines and ambulance that came down with the lights flashing. Santa was last, riding at the top of the huge fire engine. Abi was overcome with delight when she saw him and keeps asking me if it is Christmas yet! I continually remind her why we celebrate Christmas! It was lovely to see so many people lining the main streets and to meet a few other MMS families. The weather was dry but very cold. You know it is cold when the children are asking to go in their prams and be bundled up!
Today - Saturday we decided to go exploring some more. Not too far away we went to an Amish Bakery! I am not sure if this is a good thing living so close to such an amazing bakery! Then we went on a little further to a place called "Berlin" and explored a large German food shop. Out side there was a car park AND a buggy park for all the Amish horses and carts!
Berlin is quite a popular tourist town with lots of interesting Amish craft shops. My favourite was the Hillbilly bank - a Sock with the opening glued onto a square of wood with a hole for the money. At the bottom of the sock it was cut and tied shut with a piece of string. hang it up and you have your hillbilly bank!
Tomorrow we are going to try our second church. We have decided to spend some time visiting a few - each for two weeks in a row as the ages of Abi and Matthew, often one of us will miss the service. I believe there are 54 churches in Coshocton ( approx). I can confirm that we will not be trying out all of them! : 0)
We have no TV in this apartment - thankfully there is a DVD player. Abi and Matthew are in the process of completing their cross-cultural training programme with the help of Sesame Street's double disc set! We have managed to purchase a 100 piece Tinkerbell jigsaw which is occupying Abi everyday at the moment. We have borrowed a pop up tent which Matthew has made into his "garage". I really should be revising for my written driving test which I will be doing this coming week but I am looking at my American food processor which has arrived from Amazon and planning my first baking session. Only problem is my British kitchen scales are floating on a ship on the Atlantic (we hope) so all my favourite recipes need a little more thought to convert everything to cups!
It's amazing to think we have only been here a week yet so much has happened. God is so good and I shall leave you with 1 Chronicles 16 v 28,29.
" Oh nations of the world, recognize the Lord, Recognize the Lord is Glorious and Strong. Give to the Lord the glory he deserves! Bring your offering and come into his presence. Worship the Lord in all his Holy Splendor. "
God Bless
Heatherx
