Alas Doug is still waiting; to recap here is where Doug and the family stand.February: Doug was assigned to region 5. This encompasses Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and the UP.
\nMarch: Doug was assigned to the East Central Synod in WI. This includes but is not limited to Green Bay, Appleton, Wausau and Door County to name a few.<\/p>\n
May: Graduation day and opportunities begin to present themselves.<\/p>\n
By the end of May Doug was given the name and location of a church for a co-pastoring position. A Phone interview took place, but sadly due to a series of events; the position went to someone else. This was unexpected for Doug and the bishop too. So we all wait again for direction.<\/p>\n
Some time passed and Doug was advised there could be a \u201cmission development\/redevelopment\u201d that would be available. So again Doug waited to hear more. The Bishop referred Doug to the ELCA in Chicago to discuss potential training to be a mission developer\/redeveloper.<\/p>\n
While waiting for his interview with the ELCA, Doug spoke with a classmate who advised Doug to follow up with the bishop, since there were still no leads and much time had passed. After his conversation with the bishop, he learned he was being released to the region. So in my terms, for me to understand, the bishop remains his bishop, but he\u2019s name and paperwork will go out to all of region 5.<\/p>\n
So the wait continues. Doug heard from another bishop and he had an interview with a church in Iowa. Although the interview was good, this was not the call for him. He did meet with the ELCA, regarding the training, but is still waiting to hear back from them. Can you see where my anxiety is stemming from? Doug has a huge school debt and no job. I\u2019m not sure how Doug remains so clam.<\/p>\n
As he continues to wait there are synod assemblies and youth gatherings going on and the bishops are tied up, so candidate searches are put on hold. This is normal for this time of the year. Doug has kept busy with working for the seminary and doing supply preaching. Supply preaching by the way is like the substitute teacher, you fill in where needed.<\/p>\n
Another set of paperwork arrived in the beginning of July, however, after much conversation and prayerful consideration, Doug declined to be seen by this church. Many factors go into seeing if any church would be the right fit. Doug\u2019s gifts must be matched as closely as possible to the church that is looking. What church wants a pastor who\u2019s not a good fit?<\/p>\n
So in a sense we have had 3 possibilities and 1 hint. In baseball terms; that would be 1 ball and 3 strikes. Are we out? No, you see looking at the positive side and using bowling terms, we have a turkey with a possible spare in our future! We just need to throw the second ball down the alley to pick up the remaining pins.<\/p>\n
This is why Houdini was adopted. It\u2019s hard to wait for the start of our future. I do believe God is working with this situation, even if I don\u2019t feel or see it. I allowed myself to believe that right after graduation, we would be starting our future life in the church. I never expected it could take this long. One by one the families and classmates of Doug\u2019s are leaving. There is very few left. I believe we are the last family hanging out and waiting, with no move date in our future.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m thankful that Houdini is there to help me change my thought process, to focus on training him and caring for him. Becky is home again for another month before she returns to school, and I\u2019m starting to get back to the projects I started while on internship and this last year. I\u2019m planning my days as if we are not moving. It\u2019s better for me this way. Maybe it\u2019s a type of denial, but if I keep looking to the future, I will sink back into depression and feel completely lost.<\/p>\n
For those who read this I ask for continued prayers for our family. I selfishly ask for myself, for prayers of peace and contentment, and to trust God is \u201cWITH\u201d us through this process. I ask for prayers that the right fit is found for Doug, the family and the congregation he will serve.<\/p>\n
Deuteronomy 29:29The Voice (VOICE)<\/p>\n
29 Only the Eternal knows the secret things. But we and our descendants are always responsible for what has been revealed to us, and we need to obey every word of this law.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Alas Doug is still waiting; to recap here is where Doug and the family stand.February: Doug was assigned to region 5. This encompasses Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and the UP. March: Doug was assigned to the East Central Synod in WI. … Continue reading