As we all have experienced at one time or another, sometimes even the most promising plans do not turn out as expected. This is one of those times. In the past few weeks events have transpired that would elongate my ordination process by at least three months. With a multitude of factors in play, this puts us in a nearly impossible financial situation. So with deep regret, we have decided not to pursue the calling to Carbondale, IL any further at this time. While this initially seemed like a very unfortunate setback, it has also allowed us to reconsider our current situation with a much wider perspective. While we have no definite plans or job opportunities at this time, we have decided to pack up our stuff and return to PA to spend some quality time with family and friends while we consider where the Lord will lead us next. Many in my family have had little to no contact with my youngest two children. Lord willing, we will now be able to rectify that situation - which is a huge blessing in itself.
So it appears the Venture will continue for a time ...
Monday, July 9, 2012
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Venture Accomplished
Three years ago I started The Vagabond's Venture as a way to track my family's progress through my time at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, MO. In this final year of the Venture I haven't been able to keep up with the goings on as well as I would have liked. But as of last Friday, I turned in my final assignments and I will graduate with an MDiv this coming Friday. This process has taken 8 years to complete and it is hard to believe that it is actually finished. My mind is having a hard time comprehending the fact that there isn't a "next semester" to look forward to. Words can't describe what I've learned in the past few years and I feel confident that all of the experiences, classes, tests, extra-curricular activities will serve me well as we move into the next phase of our ministry.
I am humbled to announce that I have received a call from the congregation of Grace Presbyterian Church in Carbondale, IL to be their next pastor. Grace is a small church with a lot of potential for growth and service to the greater Carbondale community. We are excited about this opportunity and the challenge that lies ahead. The next couple of months are going to be filled to the brim with preparations for this call, especially my ordination exams (not to mention finding a house and moving). Your continued prayers are greatly appreciated.
This post will close The Vagabond's Venture. I appreciate those who have followed our progress through this blog. I've enjoyed writing about the events that have transpired and I have greatly appreciated your encouraging comments of support. God's warmest blessings to you!
I am humbled to announce that I have received a call from the congregation of Grace Presbyterian Church in Carbondale, IL to be their next pastor. Grace is a small church with a lot of potential for growth and service to the greater Carbondale community. We are excited about this opportunity and the challenge that lies ahead. The next couple of months are going to be filled to the brim with preparations for this call, especially my ordination exams (not to mention finding a house and moving). Your continued prayers are greatly appreciated.
This post will close The Vagabond's Venture. I appreciate those who have followed our progress through this blog. I've enjoyed writing about the events that have transpired and I have greatly appreciated your encouraging comments of support. God's warmest blessings to you!
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Did I Pray For That?
Have you ever wished for or desired something without actually praying for it, and then, in some weird way receive that very thing?
A couple of weeks ago, the thought ran through my mind that it would have been nice if I could have been able to take the kids (at least the older ones) to an NFL game while we were here in St. Louis. It was a fleeting thought, because the cost was simply too prohibitive.
Fast forward to this past week. I get the kids on the bus for school and a few minutes later the phone rings and it is the school nurse. My first thought is that one of the kids fell getting off the bus, but then the first words out of her mouth are, "I have good news for you." So I quickly shift gears and think to myself, perhaps they have found Thomas' winter jacket that we haven't been able to locate in recent days. No, it wasn't that either.
As it turns out, my son has been a very, very busy boy. His school was participating in the NFL Play 60 campaign and he has been, completely on his own, keeping diligent track of everything he has been eating and all of the exercise and play he has been doing. And several times a day, he enters this information on a website. His diligence made him the top participant in his entire elementary school. So the nurse informs me of my son's outstanding achievement and says that the school wants to name him their Ambassador for the Play 60 program. This means, among other things, that he receives free tickets to an upcoming game between the Rams and the Cardinals.
So, instead of being able to take my son to an NFL game - he's going to take me and his sister.
So I'm left with concluding that this is an answer to a prayer that I didn't pray, but should have.
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Post-game update:
We had a great time at the game. Both kids got to be on the Jumbo-tron and we walked out with an autographed mini-helmet and an online gift certificate. It's not easy to go to a professional sporting event and leave with more than you end up spending, but somehow that's how it turned out. God is good to my family! Here are some pictures of the event:
A couple of weeks ago, the thought ran through my mind that it would have been nice if I could have been able to take the kids (at least the older ones) to an NFL game while we were here in St. Louis. It was a fleeting thought, because the cost was simply too prohibitive.
Fast forward to this past week. I get the kids on the bus for school and a few minutes later the phone rings and it is the school nurse. My first thought is that one of the kids fell getting off the bus, but then the first words out of her mouth are, "I have good news for you." So I quickly shift gears and think to myself, perhaps they have found Thomas' winter jacket that we haven't been able to locate in recent days. No, it wasn't that either.
As it turns out, my son has been a very, very busy boy. His school was participating in the NFL Play 60 campaign and he has been, completely on his own, keeping diligent track of everything he has been eating and all of the exercise and play he has been doing. And several times a day, he enters this information on a website. His diligence made him the top participant in his entire elementary school. So the nurse informs me of my son's outstanding achievement and says that the school wants to name him their Ambassador for the Play 60 program. This means, among other things, that he receives free tickets to an upcoming game between the Rams and the Cardinals.
So, instead of being able to take my son to an NFL game - he's going to take me and his sister.
So I'm left with concluding that this is an answer to a prayer that I didn't pray, but should have.
------------------------------------
Post-game update:
We had a great time at the game. Both kids got to be on the Jumbo-tron and we walked out with an autographed mini-helmet and an online gift certificate. It's not easy to go to a professional sporting event and leave with more than you end up spending, but somehow that's how it turned out. God is good to my family! Here are some pictures of the event:
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