Today I took several pictures of our new home. Although we aren't 100% settled yet, you can get a general feel for the house. The pictures really don't do the house justice. Built in 1947, it has many older traditional features (i.e. rounded doorways, paneling) with many newer/modern updates. We are definitely feeling like it has become 'home' to us during this past month, and we hope to share it with you when you come for a visit!
http://picasaweb.google.com/joeltjohnson/HousePictures
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
A Day in Canal Park/Lakewalk
Today we decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather outside and go on a Duluth outing. It was 60's and sunny.
We parked on London Road near the Rose Gardens (around 13th Ave) and walked the Lakewalk down to Canal Park (about 1.5 miles). Once in Canal Park, we enjoyed the pleasant scenery, introducing Isaac to his first "horsie," tasting some mini doughnuts (papa's favorite), and a walk along the pier. Oh, and we managed to let Isaac chase some seagulls, too :-)
While walking along the pier, Isaac discovered a big puddle and took many return trips - back and forth through the puddle splashing along. Bypassers chuckled and one man even commented, "a man's gotta have his water!" Isaac sure loved walking / running down the long sidewalk stretch of the pier all by himself - such a big boy! There were many things to see along the way - boats, people, puppies, birds...
While walking back from the pier, we discovered that the largest ship in the Great Lakes (the "Paul Tregurtha") was about to come through the harbor underneath the lift bridge so we stopped to watch. This 1000-foot-long ship was pretty impressive. Even more impressive was the fact that Isaac didn't flinch when the big loud horn sounded! Once the ship came through the harbor and underneath the lift bridge, we walked the 1.5 miles back to where we were parked. All in all, a very pleasant Sunday afternoon.
Season of Change
These past few months have created many opportunities for change in our family. In less than 6 months, we have marketed and sold our townhome (Praise the Lord!), accepted a new job opportunity for Joel (after a very long year of searching for the "right" opportunity), found a new home, and moved (again, Praise the Lord!).
Exactly one month ago Isaac and I were spending our last couple of days in Blaine, packing up our belongings, while Joel was transitioning into his full-time work schedule at St. Scholastica. To think about the days to follow makes me tired! - Having the movers come and load our belongings, being 'homeless' for a couple of days with a 1-year old - closing on the sale of our new home - and making that final drive from the Cities to Duluth with Isaac and a car full of our "essentials." Then in the days and weeks to follow - the movers arriving in Duluth with our belongings, trying to settle into our new home, unpacking, learning the area, meeting our neighbors, and adjusting to our new way of life. We have, of course, managed to enjoy some of the local attractions in between all of the settling - Betty's Pies, Canal Park, Lakewalk, and more.
Amidst all of these changes, we have also decided (mostly for financial reasons) that I will go back to work (outside the home) on a part-time basis. We feel Isaac is ready for some social development outside the home and that this opportunity will allow him to grow in new ways. Although each day brings mixed emotions behind the upcoming transition back into the workplace, I'm hoping and praying that we all thrive in this new way of life. And, I feel extremely fortunate to have been home with Isaac for these last 16 months.
I will begin my new job as (part-time) HR Manager for Community Connection (http://www.ccmn.us/) after Labor Day. I have been fortunate to find a flexible opportunity in my field of expertise and with a very understanding boss who is willing to let me ease back into the workforce.
As with all of these changes, we have seen God at work - opening the doors before us. Although these last several months have been an interesting faith journey with many ups-and-downs along the way, the Lord has proved his faithfulness time and again. We are extremely grateful for those who have partnered with us in prayer through the many decisions and changes along the way. We hope that our story serves as an encouragement to others who are uncertain and/or waiting on anticipated changes in their own lives.
Exactly one month ago Isaac and I were spending our last couple of days in Blaine, packing up our belongings, while Joel was transitioning into his full-time work schedule at St. Scholastica. To think about the days to follow makes me tired! - Having the movers come and load our belongings, being 'homeless' for a couple of days with a 1-year old - closing on the sale of our new home - and making that final drive from the Cities to Duluth with Isaac and a car full of our "essentials." Then in the days and weeks to follow - the movers arriving in Duluth with our belongings, trying to settle into our new home, unpacking, learning the area, meeting our neighbors, and adjusting to our new way of life. We have, of course, managed to enjoy some of the local attractions in between all of the settling - Betty's Pies, Canal Park, Lakewalk, and more.
Amidst all of these changes, we have also decided (mostly for financial reasons) that I will go back to work (outside the home) on a part-time basis. We feel Isaac is ready for some social development outside the home and that this opportunity will allow him to grow in new ways. Although each day brings mixed emotions behind the upcoming transition back into the workplace, I'm hoping and praying that we all thrive in this new way of life. And, I feel extremely fortunate to have been home with Isaac for these last 16 months.
I will begin my new job as (part-time) HR Manager for Community Connection (http://www.ccmn.us/) after Labor Day. I have been fortunate to find a flexible opportunity in my field of expertise and with a very understanding boss who is willing to let me ease back into the workforce.
As with all of these changes, we have seen God at work - opening the doors before us. Although these last several months have been an interesting faith journey with many ups-and-downs along the way, the Lord has proved his faithfulness time and again. We are extremely grateful for those who have partnered with us in prayer through the many decisions and changes along the way. We hope that our story serves as an encouragement to others who are uncertain and/or waiting on anticipated changes in their own lives.
Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."
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