First Day in Hesston

Overnight on Thursday we got 4-6 inches of snow. It was fun to go out in the snow with the girls this morning. We had a few errands to run so we put the girls in the sled and pulled them up into town. It was about a mile to the town hall, library, hardware, and post office. When we got to the center of town a car stopped ahead of us and a man jumped out and took our picture. It turns out he is from the Hesston Record a local newspaper. So it looks like our first morning in town we get our picture taken to be put in the paper next week. Sounds exciting.
It was a relaxing day of doing stuff around the house and just enjoying one another's company. My parents are staying with us for a couple days before they return to Ohio.

We're here

We arrived in-town on Thursday at roughly noon. A bunch of new friends showed up and helped us to unload the trailer in about 30 minutes! Wow!! Thanks to all who helped. The group consisted of college professors, fellow students, and friends and family of the previous two groups. We have had a few people stop by as well just to say hello and welcome.
It took us 6 hours to unpack all the boxes and make this place look like home. It even feels like home. So far, it almost feels weird that it doesn't feel weird. Does that make any sense?
We have thanked God for His blessings to us, and the safety and efficiency of our trip. The fact that the girls traveled so well is a miracle in itself.

Long drive

We are getting there! Wednesday we got up and left by 5am, here are some signs along the way.

INDIANA

ILLINOIS

MISSOURI


We were going to drive to Boonville, Missouri. But we decided that we could go farther and we also remembered the extra hour that we gain. So, we drove to Blue Springs, Missouri and got here around 5pm. Long day in the vehicle. We had nice clear driving weather until the last 3 hours it rained and snowed. The girls have done great. They watched lots of DVD's and also spent some time just singing and playing with each other. We finished the day with a swim in the hotel pool, before a much needed sleep. We should have roughly 4-5 hours left to get to Hesston today.

Don't do it

As I mentioned in a previous post here, a friend that is a student at Asbury Theological Seminary, gave me the words of advice, "Don't do it." I can understand and agree with him on this. Going into Seminary or Pastoral Ministries training isn't something you totally choose to do. It is, in a sense, chosen for you. You don't wake up one morning and say, "I think that would be fun". You don't choose it after trying everything else and then saying, "Well, if I can't do anything else, I guess I could try this".
After conversations with those in ministry or preparing for ministry, and reading writings from those in these situations, I keep hearing this, "This is so fulfilling that I wouldn't want to be doing anything else, but I wouldn't wish it on anyone else unless they feel called to it."
I have also had a reluctance to make a decision to go into Pastoral Ministries training. It's sometimes hard to explain. I had an interest and a desire to pursue this for a number of years, but a resistance to making such a change and subjecting my family to moving and uncertainty. It took pushing and prodding by close friends, feeling an irresistible calling by God internally, my wife's unprompted acceptance of following the call, and numerous confirmations by people and circumstances. These things will also serve to be encouragement during the next number of years, when we face doubt and discouragement that will invariably come.

Ventrac Truck and Trailer

My dad thought it would be cool to put these pictures up on the web.
Ventrac truck and trailer:



Click on the ventrac link, if you are interested in this quality, versatile product.
VENTRAC by Venture Products Inc.

I just want to take this moment to thank the ventrac owners and employee's for making my time at Venture Products wonderful. I also want to thank each one who has helped us along the way. They have been a very giving and caring people during our time of loss (2002), during good times (2001-2007), and in sending us on our way (2007). They were so generous in fact that you might think they couldn't wait to get rid of me:) A big "Thank You" to the VPI guys and gals. You will all be missed.

Homeless and Unemployed

As of Friday afternoon, we are homeless and unemployed. Although this is to be a temporary state. We are currently enjoying a couple days living with my parents, and then on Wednesday, we will be moving to Kansas. We have a place to live while I am in school at Hesston. However, the unemployed part will most likely be more persistent for at least 18 months.
I don't mean to make light of those who are homeless or unemployed. That is a very serious reality for many people in our world. I cannot say I understand their feelings or know what they go through. Only God's grace will get them through.
I am so excited about the whole Hesston experience to come! I am excited about school work, reading, and papers. I am excited about formation, supervised ministry, and becoming.
Yesterday, I talked with a current student that is in another seminary and his words of advise to me after his first semester were, "Don't do it." More on that in an upcoming post called "Don't do it".

Here am I, send me

This morning in Sunday School, we were looking at Isaiah 6. Isaiah saw a vision of God, and realized he was a man of unclean lips. God provided a fix for the problem, by having a live coal touch his lips and cleanse him. He then had no excuse but was able to say, "Here am I, send me."

This morning was also the morning when our Church had a time of sending for us. After many years of excuses, or reasons for not answering the call, we have finally said, "Here am I, send me."
It is getting more real by the day.
Less than a week left at a terrific place to work.
One more Sunday at a loving and nurturing church.
Just over a week to enjoying the familiar and enjoyable community.

We have a number of family gatherings and times to enjoy yet before we leave this area. I didn't include family and friends in the list of things that are ending soon, because they aren't. Family will still be family, and friends will still be friends. We are being sent, but we hope not forgotten. You know how to get in touch with us. We will miss you.

Loved ones

The other day, a good friends mother went to be with God, after struggling with cancer for a couple years. The funeral service was a meaningful one for the family and friends across many years. I was especially touched by the sharing by the two sons. They expressed love for their mother, loss of that special relationship, and thankfulness for the witness she left of loving God and being faithful to him.

Loss of loved ones is never easy. My friend summed it up well, when he said, "We were prepared, but not ready." I am so thankful for my parents example to me, and for raising me as they did. I believe I will feel the same when the inevitable happens. We must all die sometime. What really matters is our relationship with Jesus Christ, the effect that has on how we live our lives, and the love that we share with others.

As we celebrate Christmas, keep these two things in fine focus:
1- The birth of our Savior Jesus Christ
2- The loved ones that need to know they are loved, before they are gone

House Sold

It's official now:

Excerpts from Christmas Letter cont...

You may have noticed the opening of “Happy Next Year” instead of New Year. This year we have made a decision that will bring about some major changes in the next year. We are moving to Hesston, KS the day after Christmas. I will be a Student in the Hesston College Pastoral Ministries Program. Ever since we made the decision to go, it has felt like all our plans were aimed at next year. It has been a challenge to stay focused on the day-to-day, and the here-and-now. Well it is almost here, by the time you get this letter read, we could be on our way. We are planning to be in Hesston till June 2009, with a possible visit to Ohio for Christmas 2008. So, for many of you it will be “God be with you till we meet again.” Our plans after Hesston are completely unknown at this time. We are taking this journey of faith, with God, and we know He will lead us to the next place that He has prepared for us.

Excerpts from Christmas Letter

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy Next Year;

It's that time of year. To reminisce about this past year and look forward to the year to come. We were reminded at our Church's first Advent Sunday of the irony that many celebrate Christ's birthday, without inviting the one who the party is in honor of. That would be Jesus Christ, our Savior, our Lord, our God. Time with those who are dear, giving gifts to those we love, and decorating remind us that something special happened. May we keep Christ in clear focus during this Christmas season.

Happy Thanksgiving Day

We enjoyed a day of Thanksgiving fun with my Mother's side of the family, at Uncle Jr's house. It was a good time spent eating, playing cards, and catching up with each other. I have always enjoyed these fun times with Family. My grandpa (who is in Heaven with our boys), always enjoyed having the family together, and just hanging out all day. We still enjoy these times together, and are thankful for the family heritage we've received. My grandpa always enjoyed a good story and a good laugh. This still rings true as we gather and tell stories of work and play, deer hunting, and anything else we find interesting.
I was struck by a comment by my brother-in-law at a recent church program, that this may be the last Thanksgiving that we enjoy together in this way, in this place. We are embarking on a journey that will take us away from dear friends and family for at least a year. Many may not be seen for 2 years or more. God bless each of you. God bless us.

Clinical Pastoral Education

This week I spent about 4-6 hours filling out my application for Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). This is a class that I will be taking for 12 weeks during the coming summer. It will consist of 5 days a week in a Wichita, KS hospital setting. In essence, being a chaplain while learning how to be a chaplain. I see this as an important part of training for pastoral ministry. Class will be from 8am till noon. Visiting patients in their rooms will be from noon till 5pm. Once a week, at 5pm, I will "get" to stay overnight at the hospital as the on-call chaplain for the trauma unit. You could liken this to learning how to swim, by having your friends throw you into the ocean a mile offshore. No time like the present to learn how to swim. Friends who have gone through this experience describe it as not something to look forward to, but definitely something worthwhile to have gone through. You learn an immense amount about yourself and about ministering to those that are hurting.
I believe most things that I will experience in the next 1-2 years will be like that. Learning, growing, becoming. Sounds like a theme...

Hesston Update

In Hesston, we have found a house to rent. It is a 1200 sq. ft. ranch with 3 bedrooms, an attached 2 car garage, and .25 miles from campus. It is .75 miles from the Elementary school.

Last weekend, we flew to Hesston to get some details finalized. We looked at the house we will be renting, we met a number of the other students and their wives, we sat in on a class called "Jesus and the Gospels", I got registered for classes, and we spent some time visiting friends and getting to know the town of Hesston.

Dalton update

In Dalton, we have sold our house and are waiting for closing. That is a praise with how the current housing market is in Ohio. (We have appreciated the hard work of our realtor Esta as well, Thanks so much)
Grants and other funds are becoming available to help with tuition and living expenses. Another praise, some of the grants were surprises that we didn't even apply for. Thanks to whomever, you know who you are. God bless you!

We are going to miss this town, the bike trail, our awesome neighbors, and family and friends here in Ohio. You are all welcome to come visit us, or call or write. Don't let the 14+ hour drive stop you.

Heading for Hesston

As some of you know, we are heading for Hesston. I will be a student in the Pastoral Ministries program at Hesston College. I just want to give you an update of how things are coming together for us.

We will be moving the day after Christmas. Venture Products (http://www.ventrac.com) where I currently work, is letting us borrow a truck and a 24 ft. enclosed trailer, and my parents are going out with us to help drive, move, and to enjoy time with their grandkids.

Thanks to Todd and Julie for hosting us and allowing us to enjoy getting to know them better.

First Post

This is our first post. Hopefully the first of many. Hopefully insightful, sometimes funny, but mostly real. May it be interesting and encouraging to many.
I plan to make posts on moving, starting school, learning, growing, our family, and anything else that seems important.
You'd think that my interest in technology would have gotten me to the blogosphere much earlier, but it hasn't. I am here now, so read on.