January 13, 2017

With minor delays, we made it to our new home in Marion, North Carolina on Friday, January 6.  The timing was perfect since that evening a snow storm was expected.  We quickly unloaded the van and then found our way to the nearest grocery store to pick up some essentials for dinner and breakfast on Saturday.  The bread aisle was sparse (as with anywhere else in the country before a storm), but we found what we needed in case the three to five inches of snow really did come.

Being the New Englanders that we are, we didn’t think too much of the five inches of snow that covered our sidewalk and new yard on Saturday morning, but by the afternoon, we realized there is no amount of plowing, salt or sand that can properly treat the winding, narrow mountain roads of Western North Carolina.  Sunday worship services were cancelled due to the icy conditions.

On Monday, we started back with homeschooling for Jacob.  David continues to be the primary teacher while Danielle anticipates teaching some subject areas or when David needs to travel for support-raising.  

Danielle and Elijah spent time Monday morning visiting Town Hall and the Chamber of Commerce, where Elijah charmed his way into some freebies.

In the past few days, we have found a great coffeeshop in downtown Marion, several grocery stores, and a donut shop voted “Best of McDowell County.” (Yeah, they were good!)

On Wednesday evening, we walked across the street to Story Memorial Presbyterian Church and prayed together with other believers - most of whom we did not know yet.  It was a beautiful picture of the body of Christ coming together, regardless of where we come from, to glorify Christ above all things.  The boys enjoyed their own time of Catechism and singing downstairs.  We are already so grateful for this church which we will be attending while we raise our support.

By Thursday afternoon, David was itching to check out the mountains, so we drove into Boone and Blowing Rock, which is about an hour’s drive.  We wouldn’t have known much about either of these towns had it not been for our dear friends Jesse & Katherine Lile, whom God sent to Connecticut for a season and then called them back to North Carolina just over a year ago.  Our time in Connecticut together was brief in the scheme of things, but we so treasure this family.  We surprised Katherine at her shop, The Mountain Thread Company, and the boys were able to play with their friend “E,” whom they have missed at church in Connecticut.  Hugs were exchanged, plans were made for a future get-together and recommendations for good BBQ were given.  

As we settle in, we are already praying for good connections with folks within this particular region, as well as following up with others with whom we have had some contact over the years.

Would you give thanks to God for:

• smooth travel from CT to NC,
• a fully-furnished, safe and warm home, and
• a solid, Christian church just steps from our front door.

Would you pray with us for:

• continued spiritual growth and repentance,
• proper time management, and
• adequate rest for each of us.

Thank you for praying for us and for encouraging us time and again of God’s faithfulness.

​-The Grottons-