Ten months have flown by. It seems like just a few days ago we were driving up to our house in Tucson and unloading all of our earthly possessions. Tonight we are packing the last of our belongings, using the last of the tape and packing paper, cleaning out shelves, cleaning the floor under our washer and dryer and a million other tasks. Tomorrow at 8:00am, two professional loaders will start loading all our stuff and later in the day we'll drive four or five hours into New Mexico.
During a break today, I started a mental list of all the things we'll miss. First, we met some wonderful people here in Tucson. The church we came to serve has some great people in the congregation. We have made some lifelong friends here, and we're going to miss them.
We're going to miss the weather. Last Christmas may be the only time Shawn and I wear shorts and tee shirts to put up our Christmas lights on our house. The mild weather was so easy to get used to. Since we live on the eastern edge of Tucson, and our subdivision doesn't have any street lights, we are going to miss the panorama of stars every night. With only 12 inches of rain per year, almost every night is clear, and the beauty of the night sky is incredible.
We're going to miss seeing the mountains. Tucson is surrounded on all four sides by mountains. We're going to miss watching the A-10 Warthog fighter jets flying in formations near our house. Today I watched two jets take off from the Air Force base and watched one of the large transport jets come in to land. At 5:00pm every afternoon, if the wind is blowing just right, you can hear our national anthem being played on the base.
I personally am going to miss all the Hispanic people here, and hearing Spanish being spoken all around me. I have never lived in a place with so many of my own people. I have loved it. I love the diversity of the people. In April I worked the eleven days of our county fair. It was a people-watchers paradise. What fun, and great interaction. I enjoyed every minute of it. The Mexican food in Tucson is fantastic. There is no where else like the Southwest for great Mexican food. We're going to miss it.
We arrived in Tucson, full of optimism and ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work. Kathy and I could have had a long term positive impact on this church and surrounding community. While we are disappointed it didn't work out for us, we are taking a lot of positive feelings and memories of Tucson. Hasta luego, Tucson.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Friday, May 17, 2013
It Just Didn't Work Out
One day, life can't get any better, and then without warning, it takes a crazy twist and turn. Life is funny that way. For almost two years, our lives have twisted and turned, with wonderful high moments and some low moments that tested everything about us. At the end of the day, sometimes you have to step back and say it just didn't work out. If I've learned anything at all, it is this - it is useless to ask why. Why can't change what just happened, it can't force a "do over," and why doesn't get you down the road. Waiting for a why simply stalls the process of learning and doing that God is taking you through.
Last July, our family moved to Tucson. We were looking forward to joining a church staff, meeting a new congregation of people, and using our years of experience and maturity in a new church setting. We had great success, met a lot of very nice people, and saw good things happen as Kathy and I rolled up our sleeves and went to work. Sadly, for this great congregation of people, and for us, it didn't work out. We worked as hard as we could, and did everything we were asked to do. There is a story here, and someday I may tell it, but the bottom line is, it just didn't work out. The great thing about it is, however, God knew in advance. And because Kathy and I know that, we don't need to know why, we just need to trust that He is in control and He is leading us. Throughout this amazing journey that has spanned almost two years, at times we have felt like Elijah in the desert, being fed by ravens, having all our needs met. At other times we have felt like the widow with the little bit of oil and flour that never gave out, making cake after cake and being awed by God's provision. If anyone doubts that God takes care of His children, we are living examples of His goodness, His care, and the fact that he is never early, never gives us enough to stock up, He gives us what we need right now, no more, no less. I have always believed this, taught it, and have even written about now. Now we have lived it, and Kathy and I can tell you with absolute certainty, God is....period.
I am writing this blog from my new desk at the Illinois District Council of the Assemblies of God retreat and conference grounds. This beautiful facility sits on Lake Williamson and is right next to Carlinville Lake. The home we will move into in a few days is right across the street from one of the lakes. I will be the coordinator of a new Illinois District initiative to help churches and pastors called Midwest Business Church Resources. We have already started to come along side pastors and churches and help them with all of the church business related things they need help with, so they can concentrate on spiritual ministry to their congregations and communities. We are installing and training on software that puts information about a congregation into the hands of pastors on their smart phones, tablets, computers, anywhere they have an internet connection, giving them tools to care for their congregations. We help them with insurance, health and liability, bookkeeping and accounting, land purchases and leases, buildings, human resources, payroll, incorporation and the list goes on and on. Freeing pastors and churches to do the things they do best, touching people's lives with the truth of who God is and the reality that He desires to change lives. Many of our churches are in one of the most dangerous cities in America, Chicago. But regardless, of the situation, He is Lord and Kathy and I are excited about a new challenge. There will be some opportunities for Kathy and I to both use other areas of our experience, and we're looking forward to seeing that come to pass.
I'll write more about this journey later. Right after the District Council meetings that I am here for, I'll fly back to Tucson to finish packing, we'd load up our modern day prairie schooner and head east. It will work out...
Last July, our family moved to Tucson. We were looking forward to joining a church staff, meeting a new congregation of people, and using our years of experience and maturity in a new church setting. We had great success, met a lot of very nice people, and saw good things happen as Kathy and I rolled up our sleeves and went to work. Sadly, for this great congregation of people, and for us, it didn't work out. We worked as hard as we could, and did everything we were asked to do. There is a story here, and someday I may tell it, but the bottom line is, it just didn't work out. The great thing about it is, however, God knew in advance. And because Kathy and I know that, we don't need to know why, we just need to trust that He is in control and He is leading us. Throughout this amazing journey that has spanned almost two years, at times we have felt like Elijah in the desert, being fed by ravens, having all our needs met. At other times we have felt like the widow with the little bit of oil and flour that never gave out, making cake after cake and being awed by God's provision. If anyone doubts that God takes care of His children, we are living examples of His goodness, His care, and the fact that he is never early, never gives us enough to stock up, He gives us what we need right now, no more, no less. I have always believed this, taught it, and have even written about now. Now we have lived it, and Kathy and I can tell you with absolute certainty, God is....period.
I am writing this blog from my new desk at the Illinois District Council of the Assemblies of God retreat and conference grounds. This beautiful facility sits on Lake Williamson and is right next to Carlinville Lake. The home we will move into in a few days is right across the street from one of the lakes. I will be the coordinator of a new Illinois District initiative to help churches and pastors called Midwest Business Church Resources. We have already started to come along side pastors and churches and help them with all of the church business related things they need help with, so they can concentrate on spiritual ministry to their congregations and communities. We are installing and training on software that puts information about a congregation into the hands of pastors on their smart phones, tablets, computers, anywhere they have an internet connection, giving them tools to care for their congregations. We help them with insurance, health and liability, bookkeeping and accounting, land purchases and leases, buildings, human resources, payroll, incorporation and the list goes on and on. Freeing pastors and churches to do the things they do best, touching people's lives with the truth of who God is and the reality that He desires to change lives. Many of our churches are in one of the most dangerous cities in America, Chicago. But regardless, of the situation, He is Lord and Kathy and I are excited about a new challenge. There will be some opportunities for Kathy and I to both use other areas of our experience, and we're looking forward to seeing that come to pass.
I'll write more about this journey later. Right after the District Council meetings that I am here for, I'll fly back to Tucson to finish packing, we'd load up our modern day prairie schooner and head east. It will work out...
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Two Mothers
I have had the opportunity of observing several wonderful mothers up close. Many of them have affected my life in meaningful ways. Two of those mothers have been life shapers for me.
My mom is in her early 80s. As I was talking to her on the phone earlier this week, I realized how "spunky" she still is. She has a sharp mind, is very aware of everything going on around her, and she is still my mom, regardless of how old I am. I had called her give her some good news about our immediate future, and she was the ever proud mom, rejoicing in God's goodness, and making me feel good about how much she cares about me and loves me. She has always been a "mama bear" when it came to protecting her children, and that hasn't diminished even as we've all grown up. I remember a few months ago when we were treated very poorly, mama bear was in attack mode! It's probably good she lives a couple of thousand miles away. It may not have gone very good for the person who had tried to harm her children.
As I reflect on my growing up years, and compare it to Kathy and I raising our own children, I realize how much much my mom did. Not only did she run our household, take primary care of being engaged in our education, teach us life lessons and experiences, but at times she also had to work outside our home to help support us. She was a go-getter and a "won't take no for an answer" woman at a time when Hispanic tradition still had subservient roles for their wives and women. She taught herself to drive during this time period when many Hispanic women did not drive, because the men did the driving. She would load my sisters and I up in our 1955 Plymouth and drive round and round our block, learning to shift the gears in our manual transmission car. It's a wonder we all don't have permanent neck damage from all the jerking around we took as she learned how to press the clutch and shift gears in one smooth motion. Driving gave her mobility and freedom that she needed to do a great job as a mom and wife. I love my dad, and miss him terribly, but if the truth be told, it's my mom who was the bedrock of my upbringing. I thank God for a Godly woman, who is loving, giving, smart and totally engaged in life. Happy Mother's day Mom, you are deeply loved.
The other mom in my life that has been a life shaper is my wife. In my next blog I will write more about Kathy, particularly covering the last couple of years. She has been a true life partner, my lover, my teammate, my supporter, a wonderful mom, and a Godly woman. We have been tested in the last two years in ways that we could never have imagined. To watch Kathy walk with me through this testing has been a wonderful thing. She has displayed strength, maturity, and poise that has energized me and helped me display the same characteristics that have helped us live through this time period with complete confidence in God and each other. In August we will celebrate thirty nine years of wonderful marriage. I am so blessed, we are so blessed. Happy Mother's Day, Kathryn, you are the best!
My mom is in her early 80s. As I was talking to her on the phone earlier this week, I realized how "spunky" she still is. She has a sharp mind, is very aware of everything going on around her, and she is still my mom, regardless of how old I am. I had called her give her some good news about our immediate future, and she was the ever proud mom, rejoicing in God's goodness, and making me feel good about how much she cares about me and loves me. She has always been a "mama bear" when it came to protecting her children, and that hasn't diminished even as we've all grown up. I remember a few months ago when we were treated very poorly, mama bear was in attack mode! It's probably good she lives a couple of thousand miles away. It may not have gone very good for the person who had tried to harm her children.
As I reflect on my growing up years, and compare it to Kathy and I raising our own children, I realize how much much my mom did. Not only did she run our household, take primary care of being engaged in our education, teach us life lessons and experiences, but at times she also had to work outside our home to help support us. She was a go-getter and a "won't take no for an answer" woman at a time when Hispanic tradition still had subservient roles for their wives and women. She taught herself to drive during this time period when many Hispanic women did not drive, because the men did the driving. She would load my sisters and I up in our 1955 Plymouth and drive round and round our block, learning to shift the gears in our manual transmission car. It's a wonder we all don't have permanent neck damage from all the jerking around we took as she learned how to press the clutch and shift gears in one smooth motion. Driving gave her mobility and freedom that she needed to do a great job as a mom and wife. I love my dad, and miss him terribly, but if the truth be told, it's my mom who was the bedrock of my upbringing. I thank God for a Godly woman, who is loving, giving, smart and totally engaged in life. Happy Mother's day Mom, you are deeply loved.
The other mom in my life that has been a life shaper is my wife. In my next blog I will write more about Kathy, particularly covering the last couple of years. She has been a true life partner, my lover, my teammate, my supporter, a wonderful mom, and a Godly woman. We have been tested in the last two years in ways that we could never have imagined. To watch Kathy walk with me through this testing has been a wonderful thing. She has displayed strength, maturity, and poise that has energized me and helped me display the same characteristics that have helped us live through this time period with complete confidence in God and each other. In August we will celebrate thirty nine years of wonderful marriage. I am so blessed, we are so blessed. Happy Mother's Day, Kathryn, you are the best!
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