Belonging

Last Thursday, our family enjoyed Newton's Art & Music downtown. The shops were filled with local artists and musicians (three in particular had people from church sharing their talents). It was a beautiful evening and a fantastic atmosphere. And how fun that we knew people, and our children knew people. Sam saw classmates and we enjoyed all our mini visits and meandering through the shops and listening to the music on the street. It felt like we belonged. Newton has a great blend of personality and character; accessibility of a larger town with the feel and comfort of a small town.

A local flower shop is owned by a couple in the church, and had another lady we know playing piano there. She was just finishing up when we arrived to listen, and Sam was able to play a little on the keyboard. He was able to play a sweet little song called Waves are Rolling by memory.


Some other moments of belonging are coming along as baseball season has started. Sam knew two of the ten on his team from school, and they will provide great anchors as he develops new friendships as well. And, all the games are in Newton. I don't have to drive 15 miles for practice, and an hour for away games! We are thrilled. Trying to coordinate Sam and Dellen's individual team schedules will be a bit more of a challenge than in Corn though. Sam will play coach pitch and Dellen T-ball. Sam said he felt like it was just yesterday that he was ending last year's baseball season. And Dellen, that is one excited little boy! He wears his helmet around the house and tosses the baseball up in the air and catches it repeatedly in his glove.