Osterville Q&A: How Was The Trip?

This will be a series of posts answering the most common questions we get regarding the move to Osterville, MA.  This one answers the question, "how was the trip?" 

The trip was great in every way.  Sarah did very well on all the flights, which was of great relief to Emily.  Once we arrived, we had dinner with the search committee and settled into the condo that would be our home for the week.  The head of the search committee owns a second condo above hers, and we enjoyed staying there and playing on their Wii Fit. 

Wednesday morning we had breakfast with the staff and got to know them a little better.  Then Nick, the pastor of the church, took us on a tour of the area and dropped us off at the condo to rest.  The evening was spent having dinner with the Deacons and then an interview with Dave and the Deacons while Emily and some of the ladies of the church took off and had a good time. 

Thursday we spent the day looking at houses with our buyer broker and then had dinner with Nick.  Then Dave went and led the rehearsal for the worship team while Emily rested and cared for Sarah.  Thursday was the first night Sarah started sleeping for longer stretches, so we woke up energized.  One of us (Dave) actually got a full night of sleep for the first time since she had been born!  (Emily is still waiting on hers.)  Thus, we were finally recovered from the plane ride and able to be ourselves for the rest of the trip.

Friday Dave met with the head of the Trustees and then we had a lunch with the Deaconesses.  It was very encouraging to see a church in which women serve and nurture the body so effectively.  Then we left there for more house hunting, before being taken to dinner by the head of the search committee and her husband. 

Saturday we had a cookout at the home of the Pollards, a loving and very encouraging family.  Around 50 people attended, and for the first time we met more people than we could remember names for.  That night Dave did a Q&A for the whole congregation, at which Emily shared her conversion story and a short version of her life story.

Sunday morning Dave led the Morning Worship and then had a debrief lunch with Emily and the search committee.  That evening was the Baptism service- one of our favorite traditions of Osterville.  We all went down to the beach, played, ate, sang songs together, and then Baptized the two newest converts of the church.  Dave led the singing and gave a brief time of teaching on Baptism.  Then we slept, got up, and rode back to the airport for the flight home.  There was nothing left to do but wait for the vote, which came on Wednesday and was a success.

That's the long version.  The short version is that we had a great time and can tell we are going to like living in Osterville.  It felt a lot like cooler St Augustine, with the tourism, beaches, and history.  At the same time, the wooded areas and local roads made it feel much like Hattiesburg.  Below is a picture of the Beach Night.

Soon we'll be answering questions about the church, what life will be like there, and our vacation plans.