Where is the technology I need!

One of the problems with living in Ely is that your options are limited on businesses. For instance, my bank does not exist in Ely and the closest branch is 215 miles away! Now, I need to deposit money TODAY, and I cannot unless I take a really long drive. You would think that with all of the technology these days, there would be some way to get the money in there with out having to leave the city, but sadly no. Even western union takes at least 2 business days to deposit the money into my account. Obviously I should have switched banks by now, but I just really don't want to! It's 2008 people! Why can't I get the money in there!!!! So, in short, I am off to Utah to go to the bank. :(

Church shopping in Ely

For the last few weeks I have been looking for a church to attend in Ely. Here are my choices:
-Ely Baptist
No childrens program
about 10 people in attendance all above the age of 80

-Ely Methodist
No childrens program
about 10 people in attendance all above the age of 80

-Ely Presbyterian
No childrens program
about 10 people in attendance all above the age of 80

-Ely Lutheran
No childrens program
about 10 people in attendance all above the age of 80


My search is not looking great!
I am beginning to wonder and pray about how churches are planted in communities. I e-mailed my pastor from Vegas for suggestions and prayer a few days ago and am hoping to get some direction from him. There are plenty of people in Ely to start something where young families can get connected to God and fellow Christians. I believe that Ely is in desperate need of this. I am in desperate need of this! I just have NO clue where to start or where to turn other than prayer. I am feeling frustrated and sad.

staying home

I was watching Americas Got Talent the other night and one of the contestants was being interviewed about her life. She was a mom and she said that she and her kids had sacrificed a lot over the years as they had struggled financially, but they had never had to sacrifice her, because she was always there. This little statement brought tears to my eyes, because that is how I feel as a stay at home mom. Since I do not work and money is usually tight my kids go without many things. But to me, in the end it is worth it because I am always there. There is no better substitute, no better pair of expensive shoes, no better designer jeans or latest toy than the time that I get to be with my kids. The satisfaction that some hot shot caraer could bring me would be nothing to the satisfaction of knowing that my kids are being raised by me rather than daycare. I don't condemn working moms at all, but for me, I am thankful that I have been able to be at home and just be a mom.

Life with out a car

******** NOTE *********
This blog and the one that follow were written a few months ago, but due to a lack of internet access, are just being posted.



For the last few weeks and for the next month or so, I am without a car. Fortunately, I have a bike! I am also fortunate that Katie and Zachary both know how to ride their bikes like little experts. You can see us riding around Ely daily, my bike baskets filled with groceries as I have to do my shopping a day at a time with no way to carry more. We live only 2 blocks from the school and so when school starts it will not be a challenge to get there. We ride to the library and to the soda fountain shop and to the park. Katie and Zachary have met the challenge of the big hill from town, back home and it has become a breeze for them. And I am sure that I will finally loose that 10 pounds that I have been trying to loose for the last 6 years! Really, this is just another great adventure in the life of a Hornback!

Ely

I arrived in Ely in late June for the first time. This place is not even what I could have begun to imagine. I had this picture in my head of this cute little town with little boutiques on main street and a big clock tower in the center of town over city hall. In my head I saw planters filled with flowers and everyone waving a friendly hello as you passed by.
I was in for quite a shock as I roamed the town my first few days. The best way that I can describe Ely is (excuse my French) shit hole!!!! Everything is run down and dirty. The neighborhoods are filled with homes displaying old couches on the side of the yard and trash stacked up every where. The famous and Historic Hotel Nevada has to be the dirtiest place that I have ever stayed and this is what Ely claims as one of the big attractions. Yes, it was the tallest building in 1912, and yes it has history, but nobody has given it much TLC since it’s debut.
As for the people, I’m sad to say that in the 2 months that I have been here now, I have come to realize that this town is filled with scandal and a lack of family values. Everyone has slept with everyone and marriage vows and commitment seem to matter little.
Outside of town, Ely does have a few redeeming qualities. Cave lake is only about 20 minutes away, and although too small for boating, is beautiful. There is camping and fishing and, an adventure I have not partaken in quite yet, crawdading, which I have heard is very fun. There is also the McGill swimming hole, which although slightly run down and dirty along with everything else, is charming in it’s own way. It is exactly what I said, a swimming hole. Literally a big hole filled with water, two water slides and a diving board. You can buy nets at the snack shack and catch guppies and swim for hours. The kids really enjoy it there.
I am thankful that I have my own little bit of normalcy here in the house that we found to rent. After a few days of nothing to rent but homes that were in my view unlivable, God did provide us with a cute little house, with a nice yard that is very clean! I’m telling you that in this town, it was a miracle of God that we found it at all! Although I have not been thrilled with being here so far, I just came across a card that my mom had given my sister when she moved a long time ago. It was stuck in a book that my sister had passed on the me to read. I pulled it out and this is what it said:
Dear Kim,
One of the things that Jule said that was important when she got moved to Merced (a place she hates) was "bloom where you’re planted" In other words, try to stay focused on the good and learn what you can do to find your niche. That may take growth to try new things until you find what’s just right, but don’t sit and stew or think about what you wish.
I’ll be praying God, our gardener, makes your "life garden" a beautiful one.
I love you,
Mom"