The time sure has flown since Doug’s arrival. Wow! What an emotional time here for most of the Dill family.
In May, many of the friends we have made were getting ready for the next step on their journey in serving. Some have graduated, some received their first call, many were leaving for internship, and some have headed off to CPE. Along with that, two others will travel back to their home countries of Norway and Germany once CPE is completed.
It is so amazing to see how fast bonds are formed in this community. With that, It’s also a time of high emotions. For professional criers like myself, I find myself crying at least once a week. Let me explain.
Since our arrival here it has been bitter-sweet. We said good-bye to family and friends. Once arriving to Wartburg we were greeted and welcomed by so many. They too were able to help us by offering the “low down” on the best doctors, shopping, food and movie houses. Did we tell you that one movie theater we have here actually offers buckets of beer and bottles of wine to enjoy with your movies favorites? However I digress.
We have shared meals, fire pit evenings and wine nights. We have had children born and baptized here on campus. We have had deaths and medical needs. But as I mentioned earlier the bond here is unique. Everyone kicks in to lend hand in whatever way they can. From providing meals to cleaning houses, it is very overwhelming. The tears are brought on by not just good-bye, but also for the next great adventure in the life of someone who serves Christ.
As the community grows smaller, those of us who are still here are eager to meet the one’s returning from internship and the new students who will just be beginning on their journey.
God is truly at work here. But I also must share, that I have learned something I didn’t really know about pastors and their families. I always believed that pastors and their families were, shall I say, held to a higher standard set of rules. However with that higher standard, I am realizing that the pastor and his family are no different than you and your family.
Pastors like to have a beer or some other adult beverage now and again and sit around a fire pit and laugh. They like to barbeque with the neighbor, and watching TV shows like CSI and Jersey shore.
Their children are just like any other child, who run around and learn by getting into normal “kid trouble”. They enjoy parties and special outings.
Not to forget the wives, they too have career’s not related to their spouses and have their own hobbies and friends. My point here is they are just like you.
Okay this is my bad for holding them to a higher standard than I would hold myself. They make mistakes and sin with the best of them. But thank God, they too are forgiven and through that also gain understanding and are forgiving of others.
Not unlike the others here on campus, I have also learned the value of the food pantry and wish I was an “Extreme Couponer” so I could share my deals with those around me.
Birthday parties here are not met with gifts, but are filled with laughter and games. No one is trying to keep up with the other, everyone shares what they have. Maybe that’s why this community is so tight and why it’s so hard to say good-bye, even if it’s for a good thing.
I may have fought coming to this community in my own way. But as we move forward and are time comes closer to an end, I will also be shedding more tears and wishing we could stay.
I know I’m all over the place here. There was so much to be said. But I was hoping to give you a small glimpse into our campus life. Even with our struggles, we are comforted in knowing our community is going through the same things together. We are also thankful for your prayers of support. Come by and visit our community sometime, or just meet us in Galena, we would love to see you here.
“Know that I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Gen 28:15