Des Moines, IA

Yesterday morning at 4:30am, I hopped into our car and drove like a bandit to Milford, NE (about 1 hour). Why like a bandit you ask? Well, I intended to leave around 4am, but didn't wake up till 4:20. Why Milford? In Milford, I hopped into Bellwood Mennonite Pastor Dave Miller's car, and we headed for Des Moines Mennonite Church. (about another 3 hours) Why Des Moines? You sure ask a lot of questions, so I'll tell ya.

Yesterday, Dave and I had interviews with the Pastoral Leadership Council of Central Plains Mennonite Conference. These interviews lasted about an hour, followed by a time of discernment by the council. Then they brought you back into the room and gave you their verdict, encouragement, and council. Dave was interviewing to be credentialed as an Ordained Minister. He passed. I was interviewing to be Licensed toward Ordination. I passed. Let's celebrate.

It was an enjoyable day. I really enjoyed catching up with Dave Miller. He is a Pastoral Ministries grad from Hesston College. He is also from Kidron, Ohio. He is interesting, witty, thoughtful, talented, and reading this blog (I found out yesterday) :)

The interview was also enjoyable. The council was very gracious, asked good thoughtful questions, and seemed very interested in the success of Salem Mennonite Church and myself as a pastor. God's blessings to the council members, Dave, and Salem as you all serve God and his church.

Back to it

The girls are back to School! Alyssa and Courtney started school yesterday. They came back excited about their new friends and teachers.

Mom and Dad were here for a week and headed back part way this morning. It was good to have them here, experiencing what we experience. They had a lot of good to say about our neighbors, friends, community, church, and situation in life.

Emberlynn and Suzanne are enjoying some extra time together. She'll be in school before we know it.

I am working and blogging:) and dreaming. Still feeling my way through the work and personal life balance. I'm guessing that will be ongoing.

Installation Service

For those of you who wanted to know...

My installation/licensing service will be September 13th during the morning service (@ 10:30am).

Dave Greiser, Director of the Hesston College Pastoral Ministries Program will be preaching. Ed Kauffman, Conference Minister of Central Plains Conference will be officiating. The wonderful people of Salem Mennonite Church. There will be a fellowship meal following. Can it get any better than that:)

Saltdogs baseball

The town of Shickley had a night at the Lincoln Ballpark Sunday Night. It was a good time of connecting with friends and getting to know some more people from the community. This was put together by the Commercial Club of Shickley, and it was also a faith and family night at the park. There was concert by a talented Acapela (no better cause) type band before and after the game. Some of the local children's league ball players got to go out on the field. It rained pretty hard for about 3 innings. The saltdogs lost.

But the most memorable experience was getting out of our van at the park and realizing I had forgot our 5 tickets... Suzanne had a good laugh at what my face looked like when I told her what I had done. I felt like an idiot. I was so mad at myself. Those of you who know me as "always organized and in control", well there goes that. We had driven an hour and a half and now we would have to buy new tickets or drive all the way back to get them. Luckily, or by providence we had brought Wes and Linda with us, and Wes knew some people. It turned out that the organizer from Shickley had extra tickets. Fear, dread, and humiliation gave way to comfort, relief, and humility.

Here is where it got really funny. It was like God was saying, "let me take care of it. I will provide. You're not in control. You need a lesson on humility." No less than 4 people, as part of the sponsoring church where walking around giving out free tickets as part of the faith and family night. Each time they offered us tickets. I just had to laugh, and say, "Yes God, you are good. You have a good sense of humor. I need to be less serious about myself. Thanks for the lesson." We had a good time.

Getting started

Last Sunday was my first Sunday as Pastor of Salem Mennonite Church. What a blessing! The people of Salem and Shickley are wonderful people. We have enjoyed getting to know them and being here with them. Last night we had our first premarital counseling session with a couple. It was a good time of developing a relationship and enjoying this exciting time with them.

The girls are getting into the flow of life here. They are enjoying their rooms and have spent most of their nights in their own beds. Suzanne took them to the local pool the other day. Alyssa jumped off the high dive! Courtney and Emberlynn were jumping off the low dive!

Alyssa and Courtney are playing soccer in a local league in Shickley and Geneva.

Suzanne has been exhaustedly unpacking and decorating the house. She is a wonderful wife, mother, and partner.

I have been trying to get into the groove of sermon prep, meetings, and other duties. There is room for improvement as I work at focus, time usage, and scheduling. I have gotten to mow the lawn twice already, it takes about 1hour and 30 minutes to push. I have been tinkering and learning in other areas like TV antenna's, sprinkling system, our car, office layout, water softener, bike tires, snake control, running routes, utilities, etc... all the fun stuff of moving and getting into your new community.