Looking at the cup half full this time

First of all thank you to all my friends who wrote such nice comments and didn't disown me and point out how pathetic I might have sounded in my last post.
Secondly, sometimes it helps to get through a rough spot by writing it out. I feel better now that I got it all out in writing.
Third, change has never been easy for me. That might be surprising to some considering I've had to deal with so much change my whole growing up, but it doesn't make it any easier. Having said that, it doesn't mean I don't want change or appreciate change, it's just not easy for me. I think sometimes people equate 'change not being easy' with 'wanting everything to stay the same all the time'. That's not true. I do appreciate change, it just takes me time to digest it.

Since I was in my glass half empty mode writing that last post I'll do a glass half full post just to balance things out.
There have been a few people who were especially kind to us during these last few months at church. Especially with the whole funeral we received much support for the service and at the family dinner beforehand. We also received a few meals brought to our home when we first moved in, and I have had people tell me how much they appreciate my musical skills-how much they are needed here. The Bishop and his wife have been total angels. They let us use their laundry before we had ours delivered and they have been kind beyond measure. One lady gave me a copy of a book of organ music composed by her mother.
You're probably reading all of this and thinking: "Dorothea-what is your problem!" I don't know, just change. I'm feeling better already. Like I said, it feels good to write.

I guess the integrating into a new ward thing will happen slowly, almost unnoticed.
I agree with Rozanne, my time to feel comfortable here will come slowly but surely...it always does. And Lenna, it most definitely is a culture shock even though it is 45 minutes away!!! You would think after the various cultures I have lived in or visited extensively-Germany to England, France, Switzerland... I wouldn't think LA/Santa Monica to La Mirada/Buena Park would be such a big change, but I'm a sensitive person and even subtleties are big differences to me.
I'm feeling more at home grocery shopping, driving around, with the school routine etc. But church is only once a week, so I haven't had as many opportunities to get totally comfortable with it yet. But it will come. Now that I think about it I remember some of you who have moved away from SM2 and had a hard time with your new wards. That makes me feel better.
SM2 certainly wasn't perfect-no ward is. But with time you come to love the people you serve and worship with week after week. One of the greatest things that has happened to me in this new ward is co-teaching the 12 year old Sunday School class with Warren. The kids are great (although quiet) but they will participate when called upon and give deep answers. It is a true joy to teach them each week and Warren and I feel like we are making a difference.

Anyway, enough journalistic ramblings for one night. Thanks for your understanding my friends. Life is good. I had a great day. I just have to add this one story. Last week I took my kids to the park. Of course when we go to the park we miss all of our little rascal friends from LA. But we looked for new friends and met a cute little girl named Lucy. She and Rebecca held hands all around the duck pond and played perfectly for a couple of hours. We said we'd meet them back at the park the next week. We got there today and couldn't find them at first. But then we found them and they (Lucy and her Grandma) were so excited we had actually come. They told us how they had told Lucy's parents about us and the dad had them write it in big letters on the calendar and circled it. And every day Lucy would ask if tomorrow was the day she would get to play with Rebecca again. So, we made someone's day today. And that makes my day!!!