Ministry Field Perks

After being in the ministry in 3 different states, I can assure all that every ministry field has its perks and its downsides. I want to share some of those for our current field of Cleveland OK.
1. Perk - speed limits are 65 mph unless right in town & 75 mph on most turnpikes (toll roads)
        --Downside - Road Conditions (and I don't mean winter conditions!) They pay a much higher sales tax than in MO or AR and the roads are horrendous! Gravel and black top!

2. Perk - being at a church with people we served once before gives us faster acclamation time and sooner to be accepted as pastor and pastor's wife (most people say that it takes new pastors about 3 years to be accepted fully)
          --Downside - We have changed in view and age and so have those who are still here from when we served previously (having them understand how and why our views have changed in 10 years is going to take teaching)

3. Perk - Sunsets & Sunrises - they are very pretty in OK (tho I like them in MO too but don't really remember them in AR --could be cuz I was so very busy there!)
           --Downside - ground/soil is not as rich as MO so I'm interested to see how the garden does next summer - there has also been a drought here the past few years

4. Perk - being closer to my son in Texas 
            --Downside - farther from my daughter & Amelia and both Bob and my families

5. Perk - Living here before helps us know where things are (streets, businesses, etc.) & also the culture of the townspeople
            --Downside - explaining to those same people why we would move back here when we are not originally from here! lol

6. Perks - the town has grown in many ways (businesses and new folks) Yay! they have a Wal-mart Market and a McDonald's!!! Two other good restaurants - Mexican and our own church member's place "Josie's Express" where you can get American, Mexican or Asian (owner is Fillipino!) All good food and cheap
            --Downside - with the pipeline work all around near here, there are alot of people only here short term

I am sure if I sat here longer I could come up with many more perks and downsides but I will stop for now. I just didn't want to go a whole month and not post on my blog. I know how busy it can get -- we have been slowly moving for 6 weeks now a little at a time and trying to get things in order at church and our apartment and get our MO home on the real estate market, but I do not want to become guilty of neglecting my blog.