Bismarck Highlights

I’ve been formulating this blog post for awhile now, but never seem to sit down and actually write. Since moving here to Bismarck from the mountains of Tennessee in July, I feel like I’ve been keeping mental notes on all of the things that stand out as different. I have never in my life even traveled so far north, and now I have made a home about as far north as you can get in the United States. Cross the border and you are in Canada!

I have always been an adventurer. I love doing new things and visiting different places. I have really, really loved coming to Bismarck and soaking it all in. So, here are the things I’ve noticed so far. I’m sure there will be more! Especially as winter sets in. Much later than it could have, by the way! It has been a mild winter so far.

1. Super tall spruce trees that have an almost blue tint to them. I don’t know the correct name for them. But, they are beautiful! Especially against a blue sky.

2. Wispy clouds like I have never seen.

3. Red squirrels, as opposed to the gray squirrels I am accustomed to. We have 2 that visit our yard regularly and they come up to the window sometimes looking for food! This picture was taken a couple of days after we moved in. He was busy checking us out.

4. HUGE dragonflies covered the sky during the summer. They hovered over our yard and neighborhood this summer and we have never seen so many dragonflies at one time.

5. Drivers are super patient with each other. I rarely hear a horn beep. In fact, there are times I see somebody doing something REALLY stupid, that I think warrants a honk of the horn and no one does it!

6. New phrases like, “Oh, for cute!”, “Oh, yeah.”, “Oh, for fun!”, “Wanna come with?”, “You betcha!”

7. There are no junky yards. In the south, especially the latest state we lived in, it is not uncommon to see a nice yard and house right beside a house with 10-15 junk cars in the yard. Not here. People take care of their stuff. Yards are kept manicured and clean. In fact, I think we stand out as the weirdos for not keeping our yard as nice.

8. There are poles sticking up from fire hydrants marking them for when the snow comes. We noticed this our first week here. And, we’re still waiting to see how badly they are needed, as the snow hasn’t really come yet.

9. New foods. Lots of German foods. Ever heard of Knoephla? Come here, and I guarantee you will within the first week.

10. Amazing work ethic. All of the businesses that I have had to deal with since moving here have been such good experiences. People do their best and really seem to care.

11. Strong family values. Though people work hard, they also recognize the importance of family time. Families take vacations and spend time together. And, we have felt so supported as a family here in ministry. People want us to have our time together. And, that means a lot.

12. Genuine people. People are just real. In the south we have this term called “sugar coating”. None of that here. You say what you mean. Love it!

13. Generosity, loyalty. These both are good descriptors of the amazing people we have met here. If someone has a need and you make it known, that need will be met. We have seen numerous families in need cared for by this community. In and outside of our church.

14. There are no lizards!

15. And, I am told there are really no roaches. I still can’t believe this one.

I could go on and on, I suppose. But, I’m sure there will be more for a later time. I am thrilled to call Bismarck my home and look forward to watching my kids grow up in a great place! 8 months ago, my husband told me that he was looking at a church in Bismarck and I said, “Isn’t that in North Dakota!!!???” Today, I call Bismarck my home, and I am so thankful, God led us here.