susanthorson

[susanthorson]

Fresh off the bus

Bus travel is a very intimate experience. I just traveled from DC to NY this morning, so I’m freshly impacted with this truth.

You see people spread out - a little peek at their bellies as their shirts ride up - a little too much thigh as the shorts ride up - head back, mouth open - a little drool or snore. 

Or there’s the person folded in half sideways who was lucky enough to have the seat beside her left empty. She’s got her upper body pasted down on the empty aisle seat. She almost looks comfy until you realize that her feet are still firmly planted on the floor in front of the window seat. And you wince as you think of the hip contortion. And you hope she wipes the vinyl cushion when she peels her face off that seat. 

I’ve seen people excitedly pull out their bus-station-bought sandwich and watch them remove the soggy tomato, take a bite, wipe off the mayonnaise, take a bite, remove the lettuce, take a bite, and then just give up, rewrap, and stuff it all back in the bag. Heartbreaking really.

On those rare trips when a bunch of us get a whole row all to ourselves (the thrill!!!), you see someone leaning against the window with legs stretched out over their two seats. Lucky fellow! Legs bent. Legs straightened. Crossed. Uncrossed. Sweatshirt behind his back. Between head and seat. Behind head. Repeat. Then he’s sitting up one one seat - just as he began. Yeah - it never works for me either.

Then you’ve got the person who is either constantly chatting with her seat-mate (poor guy!) or she’s calling every-friend-she’s-ever-known (including her mom) (and her pharmacy - she needs a prescription refill) and we hear EVERY WORD! I’m super glad that she’s SO excited about her evening plans tonight, and her seat-mate might be well-served by her recommendation of staying downtown vs. midtown, but considering that she is at least 5 rows behind me....I should not know ANY of this!

The guy beside me was facing the window and looked asleep but was desperately trying to find a support for his feet. He finally quit trying. But before he sat up....his boxers were blue with yellow dots.

Picture credits: snoring/drooling sleeper: http://blogs.ubc.ca/courtneyc/how-to-sleep-on-the-bus/  sandwich: https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2015/07/03/photo-of-sad-scottish-sandwich-goes-viral.html                                                                    2nd sleeper: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2860423/I-just-resting-eyes-honest-Hilarious-collection-pictures-shows-people-fall-asleep-uncomfortable-positions.html     Phone etiquette: http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/463269/Am-I-spending-too-much-time-on-my-mobile-phone-when-I-am-with-other-people                                                                                       Dog in boxers: https://www.thinglink.com/scene/749041096109064194

[susanthorson]

Mary Poppins has nothing on me

About once a month I make a trek to Costco. it involves taking a train (subway) down to 116th and then getting on a crosstown M116 bus to the far east side of Manhattan. Of course that’s the easy part. Then I lug my stuff home. And yeah, when I unload my stuff, I feel like Mary Poppins....every time.

Here’s my magic bag, all loaded up, freshly home.

These barely fit, but I managed to get them in on the very top. We eat a lot of cheese around here, and Brady and I are big time into guacamole! 

Getting home from Costco is, naturally, a bit harder than going TO Costco.

I could fit SO much more in if I didn’t buy this annoyingly big bag of chicken, but since I don’t buy meat from the grocery stores here in my neighborhood, I’m always super happy to have this in my freezer. 

After checking out at Costco, everyone takes their goodies outside the store and begins the arduous process of turning a basket full of stuff into as tiny a traveling packet as possible.

Still a lot of treasures left!

I’m never quite sure that all my stuff will fit in my rolley cart, and sometimes I’m left with carrying some bags over my shoulder, which make my bus rides even more awkward, but yesterday almost all of my stuff fit!

Salmon and hamburger! Two major staples!

I completely overload my rolley cart. Someday it will probably fall apart on me, and I have no back-up plan if that happens as I’m leaving Costco, but I’m sure it’ll make a good story. I roll my overloaded rolley cart back to the M116 Crosstown bus. Getting it up into the bus is...interesting. People are very patient.

Still lots of stuff!!

I ride this first bus west about 11 stops to Manhattan Ave. Getting off is also interesting. I always hope I don’t look as awkward as I feel (or drop it) as I barely manage to get the thing off the bus. I then cross the street and wait for another bus - the M3.

Don’t normally bring a honking big bottle of wine home, but wanted this for the weekend and managed to fit it in!

It was a huge day when I realized I could take a second bus home rather than the subway. The subway equals stairs. Many stairs. About 10 down and then about 40 back up at our home stop. Did that my first Costco trip or two. Never again.

Yesterday had to wait about 12 minutes for the M3. Well worth the wait.

4 lbs. of bacon, pulled pork (never tried this before), a steak dish that we ate last night (or tried to - didn’t like it - won’t buy it again), and shrimp (my new favorite thing to make is shrimp tacos)! Almost unpacked!

Of course loading back on the M3 is every bit as awkward as boarding the first bus, but I’m half way home! Fortunately neither bus is typically too crowded when I get on. It then gets very crowded and I try to pull my rolley cart towards me every time someone can hardly get by. It doesn’t do much, but I think they appreciate the attempt. As I approach my stop, I worry every time how I and my load are going to get off. And, yes, I have rolled over some toes. (This is the most awkward thing I do in my life, but look at my table full of stuff!! I keep that in mind the whole time as I say, “I’m so sorry. Oops. I’m so sorry” over and over when necessary.)

Yup, eight cans of soup were at the bottom of my bag! The protein bars, trash bags, and crushed red pepper were in a bag over my shoulder.

The exiting somehow always works. A bunch of people get off the bus at the stop right before mine, so I start making my way towards the door. (”I’m so sorry, oops....”) The bus drops me off at 158th and Amsterdam. One last lug off the bus (I always think people are looking at me like, “What does she have in that thing?” and I always tell myself that there’s no way they are really thinking this because we’ve all done this - right?)

I just have a short walk to 159th and east to St. Nicholas. If my cart does ever fall apart, this would be a much better place for it to happen. I’m almost home. My building has a ramp, so up it I go, through the front doors, up the elevator to the 5th floor (yes, the elevator could not work but we’re not talking about that), and into my apartment. 

Cheers!

[susanthorson]

Looking for the whine

I’ve found out something about me recently.

Something ugly.

I always want more. Well - maybe not always, but…it’s certainly a current pattern.

This year we did a co-op class with 2 families. It was excellent. These families opened up their lives and their hearts and shared their homes and their time and their expertise with my son (and with me). Due to busyness and major changes in their lives (both families are now leaving the city), the two other moms and I were only able to get together (just the 3 of us) a few times. I thought maybe we’d be able to do more, but…you know…life.

I found myself discouraged about that.

The two other students and Brady got along great. They texted each other when there was a question about an assignment. They were cordial to each other. They shared a few jokes and jointly hated (!!) the first semester of literature (taught by another teacher). They learned a lot together.

I found myself sad that deeper friendships were not formed.

Doug and I have been invited to 5 (I think) people’s homes for meals - and one of those we’ve been twice! One of these invites is for this coming up weekend, and it’s pretty much a whole day affair. I am VERY excited. We’ve also gone out to dinner with friends and met friends for drinks.

I found myself feeling lonely and down this past weekend. Doug spent HIS Father’s Day going out with me for the afternoon to cheer me up.

We are going on vacation to the Outer Banks next month. We have rented a great house, and all the older kids and my parents are coming for part of the week!

But I’ve been missing my kids something fierce.

I have an event tonight at church; I have coffee with a friend in the morning; I have lunch with a friend tomorrow afternoon. We have the all-day event this weekend, Bible study Friday morning, AND I have a new volunteer opportunity two evenings a week for three weeks.

But I’m asking myself (once again) “where do I fit” and “what is it exactly I should be doing here.”

So - apparently - I’m not content. I seem to always want more. Or I forget too quickly. Or all of the above.

I am SO grateful for each of the things I’ve listed. Incredibly grateful. I haven’t missed the miracle that each one has been or is. Really - I haven’t.

But then what happens? Apparently I forget the beauty of the miracle and am only aware of my momentary circumstances.

Oswald Chambers says that the only thing we can consecrate to God is ourselves and that if we’ll do that, God will make a “holy experiment” out of us, and “God’s experiments always succeed.” The best (and most harsh) thing Chambers says about this is that when we realize that it is God who engineers circumstances and we respond to that, there will be “no whine, but [only] a reckless abandon to Jesus.”

Ha! No whine! This is excellent! When I do talk about how Im’ feeling, I don’t think it sounds (much) like a whine, but inside, am I whining?

I don’t have all the answers on this at the moment. I do know thinking through it like this helps.

Sometimes my thinking patterns need some directional help.

My emotions are not always trust-worthy.

Veggie Tales had it right. A thankful heart is a happy heart and doesn’t leave any room for whining.

God does not have to give me something new and shiny every moment to keep me happy. Did I think He did? Have I been acting like He does? So, I’m on the lookout for the whine. I’m hoping to catch the drift more quickly and go over the list of amazing people and opportunities in my life. Every day.

And friends, if you catch me whining, help me get back on track.

I don’t want to miss or forget the miracles - not for a minute.

[susanthorson]

It’s the little things - or something about carving

You ever see someone you know at the grocery store or the library and you kind of hope they don’t see you? I have. More than once. I’m busy. I’m tired. I’m on a mission. I don’t know the person that well. I just don’t really want to be bothered. Ugly but true.

Now? I’m so grateful to see someone I know! “Hi!! “Friend” - who-I-might-or-might-not-remember-your-name-and-I’m-sure-I-don’t-know-you-well-enough-to-be-this-excited-to-see-you!

It’s a moment of Yes! I belong! I know people! People know me!

Anyone who knows me well knows that I used to get TONS of emails. Emails from people I actually know. Not the DNA Info emails I get now telling me about the recent robbery or slashing or violent death that just happened here in our city. Now I don’t get near as many personal emails. So recently I emailed a woman (here in the city) who I had met to ask her a couple of home-schooling questions. No response - which was understandable because it was a school break here, and they might have been traveling, and they’re busy and.....

But it was a reminder to me of what I had in VA and don’t have here (yet).

BUT THEN!!! (drum roll) We are at church, and the service ends, and I hear, “Susan!” Immediately thinking it’s probably not me being called, I turn and it’s this woman! It IS ME being called! And we have a face-to-face rather than an email - which is even better!

It’s the little things, and they mean so much - so much more than they used to.

I texted a new New York friend (Yes, I have some! Yay!!) And said let’s get together. Her response, “Hey!! I’ve been thinking of you so much lately. I’d love to meet up!” 

It’s the little things, and they mean so much.

On our way to church. We get off the train and there are 3 people from our community group. We walk the rest of the way together and sit together.

Yes! I belong! I know people. People know me!

Brady and I go to the Bronx every Tuesday afternoon where we try to help kids with their homework in an after-school program. Many weeks we are more of a distraction than anything. And sometimes their work has no instructions, and we are as lost as they are. But you should see the kids light up when they see Brady! And now the full-time workers expect to see us, and we’re starting to get to know each other. Now the kids are getting used to us, so we’re not quite as much of a distraction. And some days, we actually get to witness “aha” moments with the kids. 

We belong. We have routine. We’re carving a life out.

I thought about that term - carving a life out. I pictured an aerial view of the city that showed our repeated tracks. Our several trips a week to our church’s building on W, 83rd (Sundays, Friday morning Bible study for me, Friday evening youth group for Brady). Our trip on Thursdays to one of the two families houses for our small co-op. Brady’s current Wednesday night trip to a computer class. Our round-a-bout Tuesday afternoon trip down to Columbus Circle for an appt. and then back up and over to the Bronx. My Tuesday night trip up to 181 for community group. My new trip down to Doug’s office as I have a new opportunity to do a little work for an upcoming event. These are repeats. These are places where we are expected and welcomed (and missed if we don’t go). 

Yay! We belong! We have routine! We’re expected! We’re carving a life out here.

Of course God is providing all of these things, so I do not think for one milli-second that any of these things came about without Him graciously providing them, but each one took some work and even some risk. They each took research and planning and learning how to get there and being somewhere for the very first time when you have absolutely no idea what to do nor what’s expected. And the trip to the Bronx. That’s a great story. I was so aware of how I did not blend into my surroundings on the buses we take over there. Sore thumb material absolutely. Now? I don’t even think about it. It’s what we do. It’s part of our routine. It’s part of what God has for us here in New York. And we’re learning so much.

It’s the little things - and they mean a lot. And I’m so grateful.

For as long as God has us here - grateful to be in New York.

(Grocery store image from: http://naturallysavvy.com/eat/tips-for-avoiding-gmos-at-the-grocery-store)

(NYC Subway image from Curbed New York:  http://ny.curbed.com/2015/8/26/9926760/see-the-subway-map-snake-through-new-yorks-streetscape)

[susanthorson]

The Glass?....Definitely Half-Full

I was at a Bible study this morning, and the ice-breaker was to share something we were thankful for in the new year. I had come in late and had missed most of what had been shared and then it was my turn.

I did hear one woman share, and she talked about what a blessing their new dog was, so I did a quick mention about Ginger, but that wasn’t my main thing.

In fact--even the Ginger comment wasn’t that I was blessed to have Ginger. No. It was that I had not wanted to bring her, but that God had other plans, and that bringing her HERE had brought much good.

Then I went on to my main things.

That God brought us HERE.

That God has sustained us and provided for us HERE.

That even though we’ve been paying our monthly VA house payment AND our monthly NYC rent (!!!), God has provided all that (and more than) we need.

That God has provided a renter for our townhouse.

That God has provided friends for Brady HERE.

That God has provided a youth group for Brady HERE.

That through that NY youth group, Brady is going on a winter camp/retreat next weekend.

So....my point....

It’s in the changes and the stretching and the shake-ups that I’ve seen God provide BIG TIME.

I like signs. The ones you put in your house. Like...

And my latest....

This last one is something we are experiencing every day. Some days I read the sign and say -- Yes! God brought us here and look, He’s providing! And some days I read and say--OK God. You brought us here. I know you’re going to provide - right? 

This morning I was SO excited to list ALL the ways God has blessed us and met us and provided for us and comforted us and assured us and helped us and led us and loved us...in the last 13 months - since we knew we were coming here, in the last 12 months - since Doug moved here, in the last 5 months - since Brady and I moved here, and even in the last 3 weeks - since the first of the year.

And we would not have experienced these things - or at least not at the same level with the same intensity - if we had not had this big, huge, Yahtzee-type shake-up in our lives. 

He’s a big God, ad He does big things in our little, messy lives. 

And when He guides, He provides.

For as long as God has us here - grateful to be in NY.

[susanthorson]

Here’s to a New Year

We just had our first Christmas here in the city. One sweet, unexpected blessing was getting a BIG tree. I love big trees. I kind of figured that my days of big trees were over for a while, but.....

(I have a video of Doug and me lugging this tree home, but I couldn’t figure out how to post it here - so - oh well. Let’s just say we had to take a few breaks on the way home. Like I said....the tree was big!)

And then....

On our way to Star Wars!

25 theatres!! We were on the fifth floor! Crazy!

The BEST part of the holiday! All of our kids came up, and we had a great time. We are very aware of the planning and sacrifice and expense it takes to come up here, and we are SO grateful that they made the trip. We loved every minute of it. Sweet, precious time together. Sweet, precious people. I love each of you so much!

Gift giving was so sweet this year. It worked out for us to get most of the gifts for our kids here in the city. That was kind of a thought/plan/desire that I had that then I realized was kind of ridiculous, but when I looked back at the gifts we gave, most of them were gotten locally. That was fun. And as each couple arrived, their arms were full of gifts for everyone. We’re those people who open one gift at a time, and each of us watches the person who is opening, and there are stories about the gift, and we love every minute of it (or at least I do). : )

After they left...

We had a few sheets to wash. : ) This is my new contraption - lugging the laundry to the basement. I’m pretty happy with this. 

There was no time to get sad after they left because....the day after, Doug ended up in the emergency room with kidney stones! (Poor guy!) He was quite the trooper, and it’s all behind him now - but it was a rough few days for him. It’s interesting when you wake up and your husband needs to go “somewhere” and you have no idea where to go or how to get there! But God was very kind, and we figured it out, and it’s all good!

And Sam Bonnet came up to visit Brady. It was great seeing him! And the Cymes were in town. We were going to have them over for breakfast, but Doug wasn’t doing so well, so Brady and Sam and I met them at Chelsea Market and hung out with them for a couple of hours. It was great seeing them!

We had a very warm Christmas - although there was a bit of a chill in the air the day after Christmas. We were happy about that.

But THIS is what’s going on tonight. And look at that forecast for tomorrow! A HIGH of 32! I’ve officially pulled out my heavy coat. (Although it looks like we’re getting warm again on the weekend.)

So - after the medical emergency was over and Sam left (and a couple of Brady’s NY friends came up to our place to hang out!) - it got VERY quiet and VERY lonely. New Year’s Eve came, and we had no plans. I was acutely aware of what our options would have been in VA. We would have started with our kids. If they had plans, I would have checked with Dawn or Linda or Marcie or Katie or Hope.... I could go on and on. We don’t have that list here. I don’t know if we will ever have that kind of list.

So - what do I do with that?

First of all, I realize how blessed we “were” (and still are) to have the DEPTH of friendships that we have in VA. I could say a lot about that - but - I love and appreciate and am so grateful for each of you. You know who you are. Thanks for being my friend!

Then I start to get depressed (smile) (but it’s kind of true) but then I look for things to be thankful for. I am pursuing coffee with 5 women here in NY: Suzy and Tracy who I’ve known since before I moved here (thank you, God!) and who we do some schooling with, and Kari Jo and Heather who I’ve had coffee with once before and Christy who I’ve not met yet.  It’s on me to schedule lunch with Sarah and to pursue a night out with Melanie - both beautiful, fun women that Doug works with and that I’ve had the privilege to get to know a little. And I walk my dog occasionally with my delightful neighbor Marcy (and her dog Buster), and one of these days I’m going to take her yoga class! I am so grateful for these relationships. I don’t know where each of these relationships will go or how long I will have some of them - but I’m grateful for them and excited to see what God has. (We’ve also started to go to a Community group, and there’s a women’s Bible study at our church on Friday mornings that I’m hoping to make a part of my weekly schedule.)

And kitty just came up to snuggle - so who can be sad when that happens?

I’m a little nervous about tomorrow morning - back to the grind. I’m a little nervous about the month of January. It’s going to get cold (I think), and Doug is going to be traveling, and there’s no specific dates on the calendar for family or friends to come up (although I know my kids are hoping to come up in the next couple of months). But I also know that God will meet me tomorrow morning and the next morning and the next. I’ll have some down days. Absolutely. VA - you’re a tough act to follow. You really are. 

Lots to miss. 

but....

Lots to be grateful for. Lots to look forward to. 

Happy New Year to each of you.

For as long as God has us here - grateful to be in NY.

[susanthorson]

Recently

We’ve had some sweet times here recently.

Doug and I went down to the library near Bryant Park in hopes of catching a Christmas choir concert on the library steps, but it took us longer to get there than we expected (and we got a late start), so we basically heard the last few notes of the last song. BUT - then we wandered around the library (which is gorgeously decorated for Christmas).

and Doug found his new favorite hot chocolate in Bryant Park (which is made from melted chocolate pieces and is seriously rich and good).

With the promise of food, Brady subwayed down to meet us and we went to one of his favorite pizza places. New York knows how to decorate for Christmas!

Then Ted and Dawn came to see us!!! We had such a sweet time. We spent some relaxing time here in the apartment. Ted got a haircut up here in our neighborhood. (For those of you who know the neighborhood - you can just imagine!) Dawn and I did Christmas markets and then we all headed out to a tiny, tiny restaurant I like. Our table wasn’t ready, so we ended up here until our table was ready.

The bartender asked us if we had known each other for a long time. I said yes and asked why he had asked. He said that we gave off a vibe of being long-time friends. How sweet is that? I need a new sign for my wall that says something about the vibe of long-time friendships. : ) So grateful for these friends. Thanks for coming, Ted and Dawn!

We heard that it was really fun to go see the parade balloons inflated the night before the parade, so we (Doug and I) headed down there. Well - let’s just say that this event is a bit more popular than we expected (silly us) and that we refused to get into the huge serpentine of a line, but we did get a quick shot of the Aflac Duck (and then we ate Shake Shack) (and Brady joined us for food)!

And then Thanksgiving happened!

Mitchell and Hannah stayed at home this year, so this was our first Thanksgiving ever without Mitchell and our first one in quite a while without Hannah. We missed them terribly but were so glad that they could have undivided time with the Lewis family. They enjoyed not having to split the day. 

Drew and Abbie and Krystin and Ryan drove up together on Wednesday evening. And then on Thursday, my parents came!! We won’t pretend that it’s ideal to have air mattresses all over the floor and people’s stuff here and there - but we did fit, it all worked, and other than one or two bumps, we all had a great time! I LOVED having everyone here!

Ryan and Krystin and I went out Black Fridaying!

And Brady and Doug brought most of the gang down for that yummy hot chocolate in Bryant Park!

Sara Mullery is my inspiration for taking group selfies, so Abbie helped me figure out how to do this! Thanks, Abbie! (The timer makes all the difference!)

Doug was getting my parents’ car, so he’s not in these shots, but I took some pics before my parents left.

It was so great having my parents up here. My dad and I took a walk together. You know, my dad is from NYC - born and raised in Queens - so I do have NY blood! : ) They fit right in, and I believe were even able to relax a bit! My parents are very sweet and very dear, and I love them very much.

And then (after my parents left) I had this great idea to get us all out of the house and walk through Central Park.

Yes - the trains weren’t running correctly, and yes, it took us forever to get down there, and yes, it was raining when we got down there (and colder than we thought it would be), and the place we thought we might go to was a bit too far and too crowded for 7 and so - this wasn’t quite as fun as the pictures look (which is typically true - right?) (remember those “bumps” I mentioned earlier?) - BUT we muddled through and K and R went on their own for a bit and the rest of us went back to our neighborhood and went to a very cozy and cool coffee shop that we JUST DISCOVERED that is only about 4 blocks from our apartment. And it was good (and warm and dry and had chairs)!! So - it all ended on a good note. Yay!!

So - then - the next morning - they all left. (Well - K and R and D and A.)

Ginger and I were on the sidewalk watching them get in the car, and Ginger started yelping and yelling. It was totally heartbreaking. She was making it clear that she knew they were her family, and she did not think they should be getting in the car and driving away. And, yes, I totally agreed with her - I’ve just learned to be a lot more subtle about it. : ) It truly was heartbreaking and certainly didn’t help me hold it together.

But - after a few tears - grace comes, and I started deflating air mattresses, and Doug and I grabbed some breakfast at a new place and then we did laundry for the next couple of hours. Exciting times here in NYC! : )

This is getting long, so I want to wrap it up. I still have my ups and downs. I had a week where I had coffee with a new person and went to a Friday morning ladies’ Bible study and Brady and I volunteered one afternoon at an after-school place and it was a really good week. The next week I didn’t really feel all that great so we didn’t do those things, and I kind of felt back to square one (feeling a little lonely and unattached in that second concentric circle). (The inner circle is still good and solid with the 3 of us!) God met Brady big time and has given him a couple of friends, but he hasn’t seen them now for a couple of weeks. It’s kind of like pushing a car uphill. We get some momentum and we’re like, “Yes - here we go!” But we can’t look away. We can’t stop pushing. As soon as we try to coast - well - you get the idea. I wonder if we’ll get to the “top” and actually be able to “coast’ or if this is what living here is like - just pushing up the hill. It might be.

You know that song - Step by Step? The lyrics say:

Oh God, You are my God, and I will ever praise You. I will seek You in the morning, and I will learn to walk in Your ways. And step by step You’ll lead me, and I will follow You all my days.

That’s where I am. One step at a time. And if those steps are uphill - ok (said somewhat tentatively) - I’m focused on following God the best I can. And He’s leading me - step by step.

Grateful for God’s grace and care. Grateful for friends. Grateful for family. Grateful for (and missing) each of you.

For as long as God has us here - grateful to be in NY.

[susanthorson]

NY is fun - right? Also - sad doggie baths and concentric circles.

Brady and I have been here 2 months. We’ve had good days and not-so-good days. We’ve had good weeks and not-so-good weeks. I would say we’ve had many more good days and good weeks than not. Brady might not agree with that (even though I’m pretty sure it’s true). 

Everything was pretty good until we had our first trip back to VA. The trip? Fantastic! The re-entry back to NY? Not so easy. But I’ve learned that the two go together. VA - if you weren’t so great, you wouldn’t be hard to leave. And, no, it’s not the state (although we all know the state is beautiful). It’s the people. It felt normal to be back (which was kind of weird). Everyone was SO great. So glad to see us (as we were glad to see you). So interested in how we are doing. We were humbled and blessed and encouraged (and acutely aware of what we’ve left). Thank you to each of you for welcoming us and for being interested in us and for expressing your love and care for us. Again - we were humbled and so blessed. You truly are wonderful people.

But NY has been good. The best things have been our sweet kiddos coming to visit.

First we had these sweet people

And then these sweet people

and brunch with those sweet people (and our NY neighbors - Will & Sara!)

And then just this past weekend - these sweet people

And them being cute

And - if you know Krystin - of course there was brunch (and yay - NY neighbors with us!)

Doug and I took in a Yankees game - just the two of us

And somehow I got this free when we were there with Drew and Abbie

Of course - we are within walking distance of this cool place

Doug and I have been exploring some Happy Hours in the city. Just enjoyed this the other night

Of course I had to send a picture to Krystin - who loves sangria just about as much as she loves brunch. : )

A few weeks ago, Brady and I went to a concert in Central Park, which was tons of fun.

So it looks and sounds like we’re living the life....and all of these things have been so fun and so special....but there’s a lot more of the mundane than the “fun.”

Life is starting to feel more normal - I think. For most of our two months I’ve been taking a daily self “temperature” to try to figure out how I’m feeling today. Is this a settled day? an upbeat day? a sad day? Am I excited to be here? If not - why not? Cue inner dialogue: “Hello, Susan, you’re in NY! Remember how much you love NY? Where’s your excitement?”

But I’m finally not doing that every day. Life is good. Life is amazing. But normal, everyday life isn’t “fun” - is it? Before we moved here, we had good moments. We had fabulous moments. But we only had occasional fun. And I’m realizing that it’s the same here - and that’s ok. (And my mother always said that having fun is a lot of work. And, in general, I think she’s exactly right.) : )

Sometimes fun and excitement come in plain, brown wrapping. Ha! I was super excited about this

Dog food delivered to my door!

And kind of hard to see - but the leaves are starting to turn (took this one this morning)

And we found some yummy pizza in a fun, cozy restaurant just a couple of blocks from our apartment. Super excited about this.

For those of you who like to know about my dog - Ginger was not very excited about this this morning

But she was super excited when it was all done

God showed me something. I’m picturing it with these concentric circles. The inner circle is our little life in our apartment. We are very cozy, and we have everything we need. And we are very grateful for that. But especially Brady and I need the next circle filled in more. We need some friends - here in NY. (I have some. Brady needs some.) We need to get/feel more connected in our church. We need more of an idea of how we fit in the bigger picture of NY - but not in the big, huge NY. Just in that next circle outside of our little 3-person, inside-our-apartment life. I know God is bringing that. And I’m looking forward to that being more established for us.

So grateful to God for how He is meeting us and helping us. 

It’s been a hard week for Brady, so would love your prayers for him. 

I am so grateful for my VA kiddos (spouses and to-be-spouses included in that) and for their sweet, precious visits up here. Ah - so special. Can’t wait until you come back up!

I also had a blast staying with my daughter for a few nights while we were in VA. Thanks, Krysti-girl!

I am so grateful for my VA friends and the love and support I feel from you. I do love each of you so much. Big thanks to Dawn for picking us up and taking us back to our bus and hosting us for a couple of nights. Thanks for coffee, Linda, and for sweet chats at co-op, Marcie and Katie. Thanks, Hope, for hosting Brady for a couple of nights! Loved chatting with the ladies in the copy room at co-op (Gloria, Dorrie, Pat, Kathy...)  and at church during the break (Geoff & Carol and Martha & Bessie) on Sunday! Thanks to all of you.

I’m grateful for the women who have reached out to me here in NY and have helped connect me with other women. I’m humbled and encouraged by your friendship.

I’m grateful for knowing that this is where we are to be for now, and I’m excited to see all that God has for us.

I’m also grateful that - at least for now - I’m not doing a daily “excitement meter check” on myself. : ) Ha! Such a relief! 

For as long as God has us here - grateful to be in NY!

[susanthorson]

I’m learning

We’ve been here three weeks, and I’ve already learned things.

If I go down one block to 158th and head west, there’s a stairway and a ramp that goes right down to the Hudson.

I can actually bike along the Hudson. I went down to 72nd yesterday. It’s completely doable. (And completely amazing.)

Biking in the park.... or I should say just finding my way around the park - that’s gonna take a bit more work.

People in my neighborhood - especially guys it seems - love Ginger. She’s quite the hit.

Speaking of Ginger - the dog we thought would never adjust to city life - she acts like she’s been waiting to get here all of her life. She perks up and starts trying to run when she sees ramps, stairs, new pathways, bridges. Amazing.

On the weekends, due to construction, the subways are whack and you can’t always get where you want to go. We were heading to church last evening and literally gave up when we were still 20 blocks away and already almost 30 mins late. When that happens, go to Shake Shack instead. 

Speaking of subways, there are rats in the subway. I already knew that. What I learned last evening is that they don’t always stay down near the tracks.

And New York has raccoons. And they’re big and they look right at you.

There’s two entirely different hats needed for NYC living. One takes the city as it comes - switching schedules around to participate in an opportunity that pops up. The other says go take the city. Get out of your apartment, get on the whack, weekend subway, and go find a New York thing to do. Both hats are important. 

I’m going to try a 30-day unlimited subway pass. Otherwise I’m mentally adding $6 for every errand I run that requires transportation (or $3 for any additional stop). (It’s actually $2.75 - but - you know). And that makes me either not run the errand or makes me want to think through to utilize that errand to some huge extent (I’ll stop here and then there and then there.) Then I’m lugging grocery bags around and my neck is sore the next day. Ridiculous. Enough said. Apparently I need the unlimited subway pass.

The hardest subject I’m working on is living away from my 3 older kids. That one’s gonna be on the learning table for a long while. In a completely horizontal world (no God), I’d give up New York in a minute and be closer to them. I think. Saturday - yes - definitely. Today - feeling more “up” and in faith - so maybe not. Is that because all 3 of my kids and their precious sigs all have dates within the next month that they’re planning on coming up? (And 2 sets already have bus tickets!!!!) I don’t know. Maybe. I hope that’s not the only reason I feel better (less sad) today. And fortunately I don’t live in a completely horizontal world, and so I’m holding on to God. More importantly - He’s holding on to me.

My “today” message to myself is taking on a slightly different meaning. Originally it was about living in the moment and not letting fear of future changes make me miss the beauty of the moment. Now those future changes are here (very different than the ones I was fearing way back then), and now once again I’m asking God to help me live in the moment. Help me breathe in the day and the beauty of the day. Help me not miss the joy and privilege it is to live here with Doug and Brady because I’m missing my other kids. Of course I miss them. (I actually can feel guilty about moving away from them - and that’s something that I’m gonna be giving a lot of thought and prayer and attention to.) But God has me (and Brady and Doug) here in New York....today. And God wants me to rest in His goodness today. Experience His grace today. Live for Him today. Glorify Him today. Receive from Him today. Be grateful for where I am today. And - oh - this is a hard one - be grateful for where Mitchell and Hannah and Drew and Abbie and Krystin and Ryan are today. Ok - maybe that’s a bit advanced for me right now. : ) But - no - I can see that God is helping me with that. He’s got good things for each of us - and He’s not missing a beat. 

Another thing I’m learning....

I’ve got a lot to learn.

For as long as God has us here, grateful to be in New York.

[susanthorson]

Now a home

Thought it might be fun to see how the empty apartment now looks with our stuff in it. As we were moving in (not an easy accomplishment) (thank you again to everyone who helped), I think each of us (some to themselves and some vocally) doubted that all of our stuff would fit. A few pieces almost didn’t make it through the doorway (!!), but it all fits, and we could not be happier or more blessed with the apartment that God gave us. While NY may not feel like home yet, the apartment feels very homey to us. We love it.

Our bedroom then:

And now..

Guest room:

Brady’s room...

And the living room...

Thankful. 

For as long as God has us here - grateful to be in NY.

[susanthorson]

Highs & lows

[susanthorson]

My view at the moment

We bought a 6,000 btu AC unit so I could have this moment. Or lots of moments like this one.

I wanted to walk out in the morning and feel the air and hear the city. (I could go on and on about hearing the city - but I’ll do that another time. Let’s just say that I love to hear this city.)

So we bought a big, honking AC unit to put in the adjoining room (which is Brady’s) so the living room could go without a unit.

And it’s working.

Doug gets up super early and comes out here to have his coffee and pray and read (I LOVE that about him so much) - so when I walked out this morning (much later) : ) - the windows were open and the room was perfect.

And the sky today - well - here - you can see it...

Isn’t that beautiful?

So here I now sit on the couch - peering out my window - drinking my coffee - getting ready to read my Bible and my prayer book - and enjoying feeling the air and hearing the city. 

This is perfect.

For as long as God has us here - grateful to be in NY.

[susanthorson]

giants...or laundry