Adaptation

Today I had a realization: I don't like change as much as I wish I did. When we heard we had the opportunity to move to DC I said, "Let's do it! What an adventure!" However, if I was to describe it more accurately I would have said, "Let's do it! Let's live in a small dorm room in a freezing and expensive city, walk nearly everywhere, share a kitchen with 20 single guys (think freshman dorm), and while we're at it, Ben won't enjoy his internship and I'll go without work! Now that's an adventure!"

I think some of those statements are a bit radical, but they describe a few of my (and maybe Ben's) attitudes in the past few weeks. I know many would say, "Are you crazy? You're living in the middle of one of the greatest cities in America?" and if you did you would be right. I wish I could say that I moved here and right from the beginning I loved it. That I was captivated immediately by the museums, history, and shopping. But that's not true. The adjustment has been harder than expected. In the past few weeks we've had things turn out differently than anticipated, and that's called for change. Or maybe the word would be adaptation.

But yesterday and today it was a relief to note that I'm starting to adapt. And Ben too. We went to the Eastern Market yesterday to enjoy delicious Blueberry Buckwheat pancakes for breakfast. I bought a fun pair of knit gloves from Ecuador. We walked to the Library of Congress and got library cards, then explored the National Botanic Gardens. And then the highlight of the day was we went to the temple with our little branch. Out of about 70 active members, there were 22 in our session. They are so faithful. And I felt such a confirmation that we need to be in that branch, even though it's been an adjustment to attend in Spanish.

Then this morning we waited at 8:15am in 25 degree weather for the bus to take us to church, but the bus didn't come. Oh well :) So we trudged to the subway, where I realized I'd left the bread (that I'd promised to bring for the ward luncheon) at home. So Ben valiantly ran back to our apartment and came back just in time to catch our train. We arrived at church late, but with enough time so Ben could play the piano for the choir to practice. He's been such a trooper playing the piano for the branch, and I love him for it.

I tried to hide the bread in the kitchen, but after the meetings I found that the priests had used part of it for the sacrament. We had a good laugh about it. I guess I should feel honored they chose our bread. Thankfully there was plenty of food, it was delicious, and we had a great time talking with the members. After, we did some single young adult visits in a car (what a joy to ride in a car again!) with some members and took the subway home. It was a long day, but it kind of feels like the mission again. Tiring, but equally rewarding. And tomorrow Ben will begin another week of his internship that's he's beginning to enjoy.

So back to the idea of adaptation. It takes time. It's a process. The things that bother me don't go away, it's just that I don't let them bother me anymore. I'm beginning to focus on the good. Like what a beautiful and amazing city we're living in, what a great husband I have, and what wonderful memories we're making.