NYC Visit

It was a great introduction to life in New York City because it was unpredictable.  Details, plans, reservations, trains - nothing went the way I thought it would.  

Our first of three days in NYC was on President's Day, so the trains ran on the weekend schedule.  But I didn't know what that meant as I stood on the frigid elevated platform in Queens.  I found out what that meant when it took over two hours to travel two miles to Morningside Heights in Manhattan.  Yes, two miles on the NYC Subway took over two hours.  But that was, in part, due to a helpful New Yorker who took me under her wing.  In the end, it seemed like I understood how to read the train signs better than she did.

Snow, freezing temps, crowds, lost hotel reservations, learning the subway system, arriving two hours late for an appointment, wearing the "wrong" winter coat (but GREAT walking boots I found online for $22!) kicked started three good days of asking questions, exploring the city and learning about ministry in the Big Apple.

It reminded me of when I first moved overseas - the cultural adjustment, lifestyle adjustment, expectation adjustment, attitude adjustment!  But just like my international experience, I found the people of this City ready to help.  Within a 10 minute walk, two people asked if I was lost or needed directions.  Perhaps our tourist status was obvious:  dragging my suitcase behind me while Mike and I debated our route and looked for street signs!


Mike and I are transferring from the global headquarters in Orlando to join our ministry teams in New York City.  We hope to move in the fall.  Visit our blog for updates about our journey!