Something Silly

Sometimes, we just need to laugh... at ourselves, at our culture, at some of the silly things that have somehow become "normal."  Here in New Hampshire, it's normal to have large, state-run liquor outlet stores interspersed along the highway.  It's normal to not legally have to wear a seat belt, and to not pay state sales tax.  In the "Live Free or Die" state, we've noticed that speeding is common; laws regulating behavior that are common in other states we have lived are not present here.  Some of this lack of regulation is nice; refreshing, even... and some of it still feels strange.  Here are two You Tube links that we've been laughing along with, lately:

and

So, if you needed a break from a bit of the cold spring weather we've been having lately, we hope this will give you a laugh - and, maybe, teach you something about this new state we have become a part of! 

Lenten Blessings,

The Daysa's

It's Beginning to Look More Like... SPRING!

Jen and I, standing in the bell tower

This week in New Hampshire - and today in particular - warmer weather has been blessing us with mild temps in the 50's, and lots of sunshine.  While Jen doesn't want to acknowledge that it's getting warmer out (until after the church ski retreat she is leading this weekend!), we have both noticed the receding piles of snow around our apartment building.  As excited as I was for a blizzard the day after Christmas, I must admit that I am thrilled by the prospect of our first New Hampshire spring.  In honor of St. Patrick's Day, today is the perfect day to celebrate the freshly-visible green outside!

Enjoying the sunshine at Rye Beach in NH

March has already brought us one house-guest: a good friend from Seminary who drove up for 5 days over part of her Reading Week break from classes.  It was a great excuse to do a little more exploring of the area; we went up in the church's bell tower (the tallest point in Exeter - see photo!) for a great view, and headed into Portsmouth for "Happy Hour" at a great restaurant called the Gas Light Co.  We also visited Rye Beach together (see photo!).  We're also looking forward to another seminary friend and her girlfriend coming up to stay with us next weekend.  It seems that as the weather thaws, people are already beginning to get out and about - we've even met one of our new neighbors!

One Saturday earlier this month, we had a family from church over for a make-your-own-pizza night; it's one of those things we've been wanting to do for awhile, and saying we would do, and finally decided that it needed to happen.  They were the first family to have us over for dinner when we first arrived in New Hampshire, and we were eager to have them over, too.  Jen and I both had a great time preparing pizza dough and toppings ahead of time, and enjoyed great conversation over dinner and baking cookies with some of our fellow New Hampshire-ites.

Jonah seems to be enjoying spring, too; he loves going for longer walks, and then leaving muddy paw prints all over our foyer and kitchen!  We took him to the shore for the first time last weekend, and had a ton of fun.  It was beautiful out, and mild enough to enjoy the salty breeze coming off of the water.

As we continue on the Lenten journey toward Easter, may each new discovery of spring and new life remind us of the promise of the Resurrection.

Sending you sunshine and warm thoughts,
The Daysa's

Winter Days

The days have been moving along rather quickly at the Daysa household - somehow our last post was in December, and both Jen and I are wondering how it is already the end of February!  So much for staying up-to-date on our posts, huh?  The past few months seem to be filled with snow, doggy fun, good food, and Jen settling into her job a little more.

We have been inundated with snow during our first New England winter - from the day after Christmas until the end of January, we had storm after storm after storm, and accumulated piles of snow that still have not melted. We discovered that our new dog, Jonah, absolutely loves to jump and run and play in the snow.  Much to our surprise, even when the snow is over his head, he "swims" his way through drifts and snow banks and comes home blessedly tired.

In the middle of January, Jen and I went on a one-day spiritual retreat with the Congregational Church in Exeter.  We traveled to a nearby Methodist retreat center in North Andover, Massachusetts, leaving Jonah behind at a kennel for his first time.  There were 28 people in attendance at the retreat, and it was a joy to connect with some of the congregation a little bit more than after-church coffee hour allows for.  Slowly, New Hampshire is beginning to feel less lonely.

We enrolled Jonah in an obedience training class at the SPCA where we adopted him.  The class is appropriately called, "Oh Behave!" and Jonah has picked up on most of the basic commands.  He now has mastered: come, sit, down, shake hands, watch, stay, and roll over.  We're still working on "off," "leave it," and "heel," but we're excited with the progress that our energetic pooch has made toward becoming a more well-behaved canine companion.

Jen has been working up a storm, and has now preached on two separate occasions at the Congregational Church in Exeter (and delivered countless children's sermons).  She seems to be enjoying being able to focus on the youth program, now that the holiday festivities - and all of their extra projects - have come and gone.

I am still looking for a job; some days I am more hopeful; other days I am very, very frustrated.  I have told several people that I feel like Moses, wandering in the desert - able to see the promised land (employment), but not sure if or when I'll get to enter it!  But, I have to trust that when the time and the opportunity are right, it will work out.  So, what do I do with my days, you ask?  Well, I've been applying to as many jobs as I can, babysitting whenever the opportunity arises, taking care of the apartment chores, and walking around Newmarket with Jonah.

Our winter days have also been filled with food!  Jen and I are having a wonderful time trying out new recipes, and enjoying our very own kitchen.  Our favorites of late are: an avocado and goat cheese crostini appetizer, a broiled coconut fish entree, and lots of fresh juice concoctions courtesy of the reduced price produce stand at our local grocery!  In the next few weeks we are trying out dinner recipes under 500 calories... we'll try to update you soon with feedback and our favorites!

In other news, the Daysa's are proud and excited to offer our congratulations to Jen's sister, Catherine, on her engagement to Chris Sherman on the day before Valentine's Day.  We look forward to celebrating with them at their wedding over Labor Day Weekend in Seattle.

As we look forward to the onset of March and the beginning of the Lenten season, we pray that the coming of spring will bring new growth not only to the world around you, but also to your walk with God.  Please stay in touch!

The Daysa's