Life is busy here in Antigo, but it’s a happy busy. Oh, it’s good to be home in Wisconsin!

This is the halfway point of 13 weeks in the home of the Red Robins, and I’m so very thankful that my countdown to halfway has been much less eager than that of 4 months past. I work with people who want to help, who strive for excellence, and who – around nearly every corner – are attempting to woo me into living here forever. 😉 Speaking of the people here…

It was the Tuesday prior to my first week at the hospital in Antigo, and I was driving to the town of 8,000 in two days to hammer down where I’d be living. I was less anxious than in previous house-hunting episodes (summertime keeps camping a viable option), but still quite eager to nail down a roof over my head. I’d found only one apartment manager willing to offer a 3 month lease, but had a notion of a backup option room to rent from a family friend’s relative. I received an email from my soon-to-be supervisor, sharing contact info of one of the therapists who had a church acquaintance who had a house for rent. I reached out to her and sparked some confusion when her contact told her they’d already spoken to me. Turns out that the backup option “room” was a full house! I added the additional housing trip stop at the last minute, met the lessors, and struck a deal for the summer! Hallelujah.
Here’s the kicker: This family friend’s relative? The parents of my springtime hosts, who live 1500 miles away. The hosts I’d never met prior to moving in in January, but now consider dear friends. What are the chances??

I’ve exhausted all geographic locations that this family occupies, so I guess I’ll have to hunt other leads for housing for my next adventure. How about New Zealand? 😉

The house has been a home for 6.5 weeks, and I’m looking forward to the next half!