Life in Saskatchewan

Ah, rural life. That's one we're not used to. We are on Colin's mom's farm that she shares with her partner, Len. They are both living their dream to own a farm. And Ethan was an easy sell. At the end of our first 4 days here, he declared, "I want to be a farmer forever." Oh, kiddo, you'll need new parents for that one. So far, there aren't any animals on the farm, except one lone cat, so Ethan's definition of "farming" is gardening with Grandma, feeding and petting the cat, riding the quad, and burning trash in the burning bin. He's having the time of his life. It is refreshing and healing to see my beautiful boy so happy.

Colin got a job. He is cooking at Boston Pizza. On his first day, I got a call, about an hour before he was supposed to be off, from the Emergency Room. He cut himself quite badly and needed a couple stitches, a tetanus shot, and some antibiotics, since it was unknown how clean the knife was. And doesn't it just figure that the last time Colin needed antibiotics was in New Zealand, where we did not have a health plan. Then, we have a health plan for two years that covers prescriptions, and we never use it. A week after that plan expires, we need antibiotics. Ahhh, life. Oh, and I never want to get a call from the ER again! I was pretty shaken.

That same day, we also got the privilege of encountering rural Saskatchewan RCMP, as I was stopped just outside of town around 9pm. With my crying baby in the backseat, I was told I had been speeding, but I KNEW I'd been going the posted speed limit. I was informed that when passing an emergency vehicle with its lights on (which was across the road and 3 lanes and a median away from me), I had to slow down, which I was not aware of. I'm still planning on looking that one up. I'm suspicious. Then he takes my license and registration and "checks up" on me. Of course, it's fine, but he took forever. I'm thinking Mr. RCMP had a little too much time on his hands on a slow Saturday night and was on a bit of a power trip. Ugh.

Today, Ethan, Silas and I went to church. Colin works Sundays, so we're alone unless and until he can get his schedule changed. Knowing we need a church family and knowing we're not staying here is a tough one. I think the one we visited today will be good. I met a few people. All were friendly. I think it will make a good temporary home for us.

Our date of departure for New Zealand is still up in the air. Colin is officially starting at the end of January, but we'd love to go sooner. The only way we can do that is if we can housesit when we get there. We're hoping and praying something comes up. Or maybe our desire to get out there sooner is to avoid a Saskatchewan winter. Seriously, I'm a little nervous. It's been 4 years since we lived anywhere with real winter weather, and honestly, with the chinooks that roll through southern Alberta, even those winters are nothing compared to what I hear rolls through here. We are sadly unprepared, clothing-wise, but don't want to spend a bunch of money on winter clothing that we'll only use a month or two. We shall wait and see.

So, that is our life. It's pretty slow compared to the last two years, but that is not always a bad thing. We are grateful for the home and support from family. We are amazed at God's timing. My in-laws just moved in here at the beginning of August. If they weren't here, there would NOT be room for all of our stuff right now and we don't know where we would have gone. God knew we needed to be here. Isn't that something?