Family Dill Blog

You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. Really, the only thing you have to do is pay taxes and die. Okay, don’t pay taxes and you go to jail, but you can do that if that’s your choice. Funny thing is we have lots of choices, we just choose to complain about them.

That’s the same thing with work. Really you know the types. They complain about everything, but never offer to make a suggestions. They whine about things not going their way. Cry about changes that aren’t fair, and much more. I’m sure you all have been with people like that.

Why is it, I have to have so much negativity around me. Leave, you chose to be where you are, so leave it. Better yet fix it or make it better for you. After all it is about you. So to all the complainers out there I want you to think about this……

There are many who want your job, if you hate it give it to the dad trying to support the family after losing his $90,000 a year job.

Don’t like your Legs? Be thankful you have legs. There are many who would love to walk like everyone else, or even get their legs back trying to save your sorry ass.

Hate the skinny girl who makes better choices than you in food and works out. Your right blame it on the food makers, the candy stores or even the guilt. But you could chose differently.

Think your house is no good, move out or give it to the one who is homeless.

Are you getting my point here? If your mad than change what you can. Make those better food choices, put up new curtains, workout, find a new job, but please keep me out of your cesspool of negativity.

We all have problems, we all have solutions, we all have choices. My choice is to not fall into your negative way of thinking. My choice is to thank God for everything I have and for putting up with me and my arrogance.

What do you choose?

“Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain – and most fools do.” Benjamin Franklin

Just over a year ago, my life changed. That’s what life does, I know, constantly changing. But why do we have to be tested, with so many things? As well as be tested in so many ways? Lives change daily, people change over time. Change is everywhere.

I moved into Dubuque over a year ago now. That brought on many different changes. Over that time I grew up, made some friends and started to feel like Dubuque was home. Then during a recent visit to the vet, I learned my dog may have cancer. Of course they wouldn’t know until they did “surgery” to remove the mast, something I really cannot afford to do that and the dog is old.

So I guess we are in for more change. Graduation took place, and people around me are leaving for first call,CPE and Internship. We are heading to internship, but we aren’t leaving yet still a change. So how do we or better yet how do I handle all this change?

I guess it’s with faith, and support from those still around me. So here we go counting down the days until we start internship, changing churches and knowing come January of this year, I will no longer have a child in school, but my baby is in college.

Ugh! This is too much. I’m feeling so overwhelmed. Time to take a deep breath and take it one minute at a time. It also wouldn’t hurt (unless I sing out loud), all the tunes related to change. I think I’ll start with……..Man in the Mirror (Women in the Mirror).

Memorial Day is the official kick off for summer, or so the saying goes. I know for us, it means opening up or camper, that has sat all winter long. It’s also the weekend we got married. 24 Years and going strong, but back to the camper.

This year Doug went on Saturday to open the old trailer up, and much to his surprise, it was musty smelling, but all was intact. By the time he opened it and aired it out, it was ready for my arrival after work. This was very strange for me. I’m use to opening her up and organizing our belongings. However, by the time I arrived after work, it was all done. Nice, but not so nice.

I’m sure your asking why I say that. But it’s simple really. I am so use to our routine, I felt disorganized and unsure of what to do with myself. I didn’t bring anything extra, like my hobbies and such, so I just plopped myself down on the couch.

For the first time this year, I truly enjoyed the camper. I mean really liked it! This was the first time, Doug didn’t have to work, or study, he just enjoyed his free time. We even played a couple of rounds of Mexican Train. It was a little strange to be there without our children, but we had our nephew Luke, and his mom join us.

Jamie and Luke have never been to our trailer, and it was so nice to have them there. We drank wine, met and had dinner with old neighbors and truly just relaxed. Okay, maybe there was a little tense moment trying to make a graduation party two hours away from our trailer, and then getting back in time to have dinner with our friends, but over all very nice.

So before we left, we organized and set up a few things and are preparing to go back and spring/summer clean, so we can enjoy the rest of our time. It may be tricky with Internship starting, but I can go out there, on my own or bring a friend whatever it takes. We have a great place, I can bring food from home and not cost more than gas. Which yes is not cheap, but cheaper than flying. Plus it certainly better than not going anywhere.

So bring on the Summer, Bring on the Sun, Bring on internship! Life is good all the time, we just have to look at the positives rather than the negatives.

It’s that time of year when graduation celebrations begin. Here on campus, seniors graduate and take first call, middles start their summer Greek and CPE, while juniors prepare for internship. Most will move, few will stay. Friendships that were formed, will now stand the test of the meaning of “true friends.”

It might sound harsh, but it happens to everyone. Here on campus, the life is very transient. Students and families come and go. There will be tears of joy and sorrow. Tears for the those which are left behind and that which the future holds.

So what’s a spouse/mom/gal to do? I for one see new hobbies, a chance to start over, make new friends, and hopefully some joyous laughter. I plan to try my best to stay in touch with the person, who’s helped me through this year as she follows her husband to his first call.

This is not to be a Debbie downer blog, but it is scary. Time has flown since Doug started classes, and then the move to campus. I never thought I’d see internship, it felt so far away. But it’s here, and in a few short weeks, we will be attending our new church. I’m sure that time will fly by too.

I have no idea the plans God has for me and our family. But I’m thankful for the opportunities, the struggles, the friends and people we met along the way. At times we feel alone, yet looking back we see where the support, love and strength come from.

God is with us. Good luck to everyone here on campus. May God continue to bless you always.

On my birthday weekend, I spent my time traveling. I drove from Iowa, to Illinois, to Minnesota. Of course back to Illinois and finally home to Iowa. Why?

Well you see my 73 year old mother lost her true best friend in the summer lat year. She died of cancer. Mom tried to see her before she died, but things kept getting in the way. Including myself and my selfish behavior of not wanting to drive all over the place. Now, I may have played a part in not going, but looking back, I think there was more to it.

I think mom wasn’t ready to face the death of her beloved friend. They wrote letters to each other constantly, gossiping about family and past friends. They met over 50 years ago, when their oldest sons started attending school together. 50 years…….wow, how long have you been friends with someone like that.

Anyway, Barb eventually moved to MN,due to her husbands job. But Mom and Barb remained true friends. They wrote to each other often, attended children’s weddings, shared vacations, still exchanged Christmas gifts and much more.

I’m jealous of the fact, that she’s had that friend forever. I wish I could say the same. Our time that weekend was spent with few tears, but many laughs and memories. Mom said good-bye to her dear friend at her grave site. Or as mom put it “her last earthly home.”

I guess I take from this, never take for granted those you call a “friend”.

Well Lent is over and I’m back on Facebook. But I’ve learned something’s about me.

Facebook is my way of keeping in touch with close family and friends. It a quick way to share exciting news, and can offer support and comfort too. But I also use it as a crutch. I don’t have to friend those I wish not too, and can delete and even end said friendships, with just a click. I can avoid confrontation too.

So here’s my new motto, I will be on Facebook but will also rethink what I post. I won’t friend someone “just because”, and delete them later when my life goes another direction. Yes I have deleted some, as the relationship was not one of a Christian nature, or I was friending because. I don’t care if my friends list reads 1 or 1,000.

Life is short, I will enjoy it. I will try to find good in every situation and share that on my status. Of course a laugh or to will be in order as well. But I’m glad I took this time away.

Well I have more hobbies to finish, and an article to write. God Bless!

Well Lent is about over. It’s hard to believe that I have not been on Facebook since ash Wednesday, Wow! Those who know me, know that’s a real challenge. Now granted Lent is usually 40 days, ending on Easter Sunday. However, that was not including Sundays. So I actually could have been on during the day on Sunday. But that just didn’t seem right. So I just left Sunday in there.

We actually missed an invite or two, but I also missed a lot of drama. I think I’ve learned a thing or two about myself in the process. I still didn’t finish projects I’ve started, haven’t figured out how to start one and the house still needs to be cleaned. I guess Facebook, was not the reason only an easy excuse. Truth is, I’m the problem. I love to do things, but to lazy to get started. My goal, is to finish what I start.

But, I’ve also taken the time to think about what’s important to me. So when lent is over, I will limit my Facebook time, and continue to grow my ideas and hobbies. I do want to thank those who kept me in the loop and encouraged my absence from Facebook.

I will continue my blog, as it is just an outlet for me. However I will be happy to stalk Facebook once again.

Today, March 16,2013, Rebecca Anne Dill was born. 17 years ago today God blessed us with a daughter!

I have watched her change over the years. From the clinging little baby girl to a clinging young lady, she has made us proud. Her dream is to become a Zoologist, yet many on this campus said she’s a pastor in the making.

Only God knows her plans. We will help support her journey and ask others to pray for her.

Happy Birthday Becky! We love you!

Well we now know where we are serving. I say we because this really is a family call. I was recently asked how did I wish to participate in this call. I was surprised that some spouses don’t partake in their spouses call.

Odd? Maybe not. Why do you go to church? Why do you get involved or not get involved? It was pointed out to me, that once Doug is a pastor, who then is my pastor? While Doug can speak about the theology, he can’t guide me through a confession. So what will I do? I’m not sure how to find a pastor, and not attend their service. Besides what does that say about me, to not be able to worship in my husbands church?

I’m sure God will guide me in this journey. I will meet people along this path, that will be supportive of me and continue to help me with my faith. I also hope to become part of a spouses group so to speak, where I can express my concerns, fears and feelings. Maybe even attend conferences designed for pastoral spouses.

Getting back to my statement about this being a family call, is really true. How can Doug serve in a church without family support. He may not be able to share things, but he does need to know there is always someone in his corner or got his back. Pastors need people who know him, understands him and allows him to be his self, and not what people think a pastor should be.

Am I nervous? Hell yes! But I have God, I have my family and my friends. So I know you’re saying…get to the location. Well I’m happy to say our assignment is in Platteville WI. At First English Lutheran Church. Thereby allowing for us to remain on campus, Becky to graduate from Dubuque Senior, and Travis and I to remain employed. After Easter watch for pictures, my goal is to drive by there on my way to or from Madison.

We all believe this will be a great location for us. We are excited and know God will be with us on this journey.

Where are we going? Where are we serving? Is Doug ready? Am I ready? Yikes, is anyone here starting internship ready? The unknown, is just that unknown. Only God knows whats in store for us, but dang, it’s hard to “wait and see”.

What if they don’t like us? What if we don’t like them? What if their rich and snooty? What if their poor and needy? What if their healthy? What if their sick? What if they abandon us? What if they overwhelm us? What if, what if what if?

This type of thinking is ridiculous. After all only God has those answers and we wont know them until we get there. So why do we keep asking that what if question? I think it’s because we have no control over the answers. However, we do have control over the outcome.

For anyone who has to do an internship, they must have many emotions. We do, and this is just a church. I wonder what a doctor must feel when he’s taking his first patient. I’m sure they ask themselves some of the same questions I asked above. I’m sure it’s like that for adoptions as well. So what’s the best way to handle these’s questions? Believe it or not, you go back to your bible.
Philippians 4:6 says “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (New Living Translation) when you give to God, you will have comfort in knowing you will be okay.

But since most of us are control freaks, we can’t stand not knowing. Anyway, Wednesday is the BIG day, yes tomorrow. Please help me to pray for all the interns and their families. Stay tuned to find out our church location.