New Church. New Town. New Community.

Since I moved down with the intention of attending a discipleship training school in the fall, I knew which church God was calling me to attend right away. There's been some cultural differences at my new church which have been pretty funny. I also am experiencing funny differences in other areas in the town of Waco. I thought I would share a few by way of dialect differences from the north to the south. Please know I mean no harm or stereotyping.

YOUNG ADULT:
Minnesota definition--- noun, person who is 18, in college, and single..Hey! Would you like to come to my young adult small group?! We are all 18-20s and love to chill!!
Texas definition--- noun, person who is 20-30s...Hey! We have a young adult worship night the first Tuesday of every moth!! You should come.

Funny story. I wasn't going to go because I was thinking I was too old. What's real funny is my church has a college ministry AND young adults ministry and I was so bummed I couldn't go to either until my roommate cleared the confusion up for me!

PEN:
Minnesota pronunciation--pəəən...noun, something you write with
Texas pronunciation--p-inn (2 syllables)...noun, something you write with

Funny Story. While working assisting a nurse with a dressing change, she asked for a pen, but is Texan so how she said it I thought she meant pin, something pokey. The look on my face as I asked her why on earth she needed a pin was hilarious I guess. I was picked on all day by my nurses!

PORCH:
Minnesota definition: noun, place in which you go to retrieve items in the winter that you want to chill quickly but doubles as a relaxing space or additional eating area when it is not winter that us typically enclosed with screens and or windows
Texas definition: noun, place just outside your front or backdoor that doubles as another living room area and comes complete with at least 2-3 ceiling fans and some form of lighting in the ceiling

Funny Story. My new life group friend hosted a BBQ at his home. When I arrived he said, "Hey! I'm hoping we'll all mostly eat on the porch since it is so nice out." Not saying anything, I looked around for a potential porch location, not finding one I waited quietly for a lead from another person. After getting nothing, I turned to the gal I had just met and said, "Hey! I think I'd love to go sit on the porch! Will you join me?" After she said yes to my offer I said, "Great! I will follow you!" I love the Texas porch so much better than the Minnesota version!!

These are just a few cultural things I have been experiencing. I have 5-10 daily. It is all mostly hilarious and makes me laugh. The accent down here is so challenging, it really sounds like a whole other language!!!