Surprise package

When Elise and I stopped at the Post Office to pick up today's mail, there were two packages waiting for us. One we had expected. It was some electric hair clippers that we had ordered, plus more clothing for padding that Elise's mom sent. With haircuts running $20 or more, it made sense to purchase the clippers and learn how to use them.

The other package was a complete and total surprise. Elise read the return address and saw that it was from my sister. All the (very short) trip back home, we were wondering what in the world it was. It was quite heavy, yet also quite squishy. The box was from an electric hot-water pot but we didn't think it was that.

Upon getting home we opened the packages. The package from my sister contained a variety of food stuffs -- Japanese, Thai, pasta, sauces and condiments. All in all a nice and very welcome addition to our pantry. Our kids went straight for the bags of Japanese gummy candies and the Pocky's.

The I.D.E.A. homeschool organization flew in a couple of staff into Petersburg for two days. Elise met with them last night, and the kids are having workshops today. Amy went to a workshop to learn about Australia this morning, and then both Amy and Shelley went to a science workshop this afternoon. This evening there will be a math workshop with ice cream sundaes afterwards.

When we lived in Portland we thought the weather was changeable, but nothing like it is here. It can go from pouring rain to sun in a matter of minutes, and then change back again just as quickly. We haven't yet had a freeze since our arrival, but that should change in another week or two as we head into November.

I spoke with the Lutheran pastor who is just one week old in Petersburg. He arrived from Beaverton, Ore. The Bible Church pastor's wife that we met this summer grew up in Tigard, Ore, on Bull Mountain -- around where we lived. Coincidence or fate...? I'm told that tomorrow morning the ministers get together at the local (only?) coffee shop in town for a bit of socializing. I hope that the Java Hüs is the right location.

I also spoke with our real-estate broker today and as we feared, the housing market is pretty much dead in Portland right now. Although price appreciation continues, there are no buyers to be had -- sort of a stagflation in the real-estate market. We really don't have much choice other than to sit and wait it out. We've already reduced our price to below 90% of the competition, and our broker continues to market the property. So for whatever reason unknown to us, the property simply isn't selling or even generating much interest. So we will continue to hold fast and pray (which is a lot easier said than done) until God sees fit that the property sells.