Exploring

I'm living and working in Hinesville, GA until early July. This is a military town, and the army base on which I'll spend most of my time is quite large - the largest military installation east of the Mississippi. Hinesville has everything that I need - Wal-Mart, grocery stores, plenty of restaurants, the YMCA (free access!) - and Savannah, GA is about an hour away. There is a smaller army base in Savannah at which my partner and I will spend some of our time as well. There's a small town about 20 minutes from Hinesville, called Richmond Hill. Richmond Hill has a coffee shop that actually stays open past 4pm and is open on Sundays (Oh, the things we take for granted!). The nearest Barnes & Noble is about 45 min from here and is attached to a mall!

Yesterday, I rode out to Tybee Island, one of Georgia's many barrier islands. I enjoyed lunch at a restaurant on the beach and took a short walk by the water. Many of the buildings on Tybee look like cottages, rather than high-rise condos, and I enjoyed the look of the buildings. However, there was lots of traffic and just as many people. Driving out to Tybee - over lots of marsh and water - was very pretty and peaceful.

I also visited downtown Savannah yesterday. Savannah has 22 squares - whole city blocks that are parks. These squares seem to be popular wedding spots - I drove past three weddings yesterday evening.

Blessings

Well, I've been in Hinesville, GA for 4 days now. Sometimes it seems like longer - still getting used to being away and to hotel living - but today was a great day. I had chosen a church to attend in a town about 20 minutes away. While driving there, I felt a bit dicouraged about being away from home. I was driving during a light rain, following recently expired thunderstorm and tornado warnings. I was really hoping that I would enjoy this congregation and experience a meaningful worship service today. While driving, I asked God to direct me to the right place.
Well, to my delight, the service and congregation were very similar to that of my home church! I counted at least 8 simillarities. When I looked up into the choir and saw a woman who has recently moved to the area but used to be in the choir at my home church in New Orleans, I was again convinced that God cares about the details of our lives! He truly blessed me today! Of course, (Rebekah, you'll appreciate this...) I cried throughout the service - tears of joy and comfort and relief... I know I'll be okay here!