Acclimated…sort of

Seven months should be plenty of time for a family to become acclimated to their new surroundings, right?  I don’t have to use my GPS nearly as much.  I have found my “go-to” grocery stores, shopping areas, and restaurants.  New routines and schedules are flowing, as well as diverse activities and events.  Band, BETA Club, church youth group, voice lessons, and soccer keep our schedule full, helping us settle more into our life here.

However, it’s funny how I keep getting reminded that I am really not a NATIVE Louisianan. The smell of boiled crawfish stimulates my gag reflex and sends my ten-year-old fleeing the grocery store. It’s crawfish season here.  All stores and restaurants are filled to the brim with the little crustaceans.  Understandably, it is also Lent, so everyone has to eat seafood since all other meats are taboo.  Whatever seasoning is used, my olfactory senses can.not. handle.it.

The weather is yet another adjustment that has yet to be made.  In southern Louisiana, it is either HOT or MILD…kind of like the food. Along with those two factors, it is WET.  I am reminded of this as I slosh across the soccer field in my flip flops.  Evaporation just doesn’t happen very quickly.  It is quite humorous to watch the soccer coaches try to maintain order in practice when the kids are jumping in the marshy grass.  Multiple umbrellas and towels are needed, as well as a trash bag for muddy shoes unless you want to spend your weekends vacuuming and shampooing the upholstery.

Along with the previous weather stipulations, I have learned never to trust the weather predictions.  There could be 0% chance of rain and an all-out thunderstorm could strike at any time, in the middle of soccer practice, naturally.  Basically, just plan for any type of weather and you should be just fine.

Our life in Louisiana has been an adventure and I wouldn’t trade it for anything, most of the time.  Surrendering my life to God means that He is in control of all of it, and I am just along for the ride.  Any time I attempt to regain control, I am an anxious basket case.  I am confident that God has placed us here.  If we should move elsewhere, I’m just along for the ride, taking each decision and moment as it comes.  All of this is just a reminder, that we are not to get too comfortable here.  For believers, we are reminded in 1 Peter 2:11, that we shouldn’t get too cozy here on earth since this isn’t our eternal home.  We are strangers, travelers, just passing through (Psalm 39:12).  God could keep us here permanently in Louisiana, or not.  Either way, I know where my real home is.  At least for me, I hope it will be 100% sunny, dry, mild, and without the smell of crawfish.