Home

We are blessed! Adam has been called to be the associate pastor at St John Lutheran Church. We will be near family, which we are especially thrilled to hear. During the call service, both of Isaac's grandmas had tissues to catch their tears of joy! This church is large, has a school and we already feel utterly and completely welcomed. The moving process and house plans are underway and we are thrilled to be getting the ball rolling towards this new chapter!

Thanks be to God!

Today is THE DAY

Today is THE DAY!

Adam and I began this journey in August 2005 when he began the pre-sem program. Now here we are, years later, excitedly awaiting to hear where we will be moving to, who our new flock and church family will be, and where we will be calling "home."

"Each day I long for home,
long for the sight of home."
- The Odyssey

Countdown Corner

I remember when Call Day was over 350 days away. 

I remember when the countdown was 182 days.

I remember when we finally broke into the double digits.

But today...today is day nineteen. NineTEEN. NINETEEN. We are finally in the teens, people!

Some of you may not be surprised, but we have a "Countdown Corner" in our kitchen.

A thoughtful fabulous friend snail mailed me this colorful countdown chain. 

Every morning we tear off yet another chain, the length gets shorter little by little. 

This chocolate countdown calendar is a sweet and delicious gift from yet another special friend. 

Every morning I pop the day's chocolate into my hot cup of coffee...or I may share it with the hubby. 

When we first began seminary, people told us, "It goes by so fast!" I believe them! The counting down continues and soon we will be in the single digits.

For Guidance in Our Calling

The time when we wait for our vicarage assignment or call can be...well, tough. We know that the Lord truly knows our inmost thoughts and desires, but sometimes (we are human - and He knows that) we still worry. All of the unknowns. All of the questions. There is fear. There is excitement. Anxiety. And prayer. 

Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

The following is a prayer from the Treasury of Daily Prayer (p. 1,315) that helps keep our focus on Him.  Graphic design is not in my repertoire, but I turned this message into a printable. It is hanging in our home where we can see it and be encouraged. There are two versions you can right-click, save and print for yourselves. (I insert this jpg into a Word document to get it evenly spaced on the page.) Enjoy, friends!

Lord God, You have called Your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that Your hand is leading us and Your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

         

"For Guidance in Our Calling" full size printable in black and white:

"For Guidance in Our Calling" full size printable in color:

Clump of Grass

The dreams about call day have begun. 
Last night's was that instead of being told where we were going, we were given a clump of grass (dirt still attached). This particular grass was indigenous to a certain region. That was our clue and we had to figure it out from there.

Back to Normal

Adam's Christmas break was eventful. We traveled a few hours west to visit family for a couple weeks. We enjoyed seeing our dear family again and were sure to fit in some time for chillaxing. Isaac was sure to fit some of that into his busy schedule, too.

A couple days before Christmas a seminary family's infant son passed away. Baby Christian spent Christmas with Jesus - the best place to be for Christmas. Their journey was inspirational and their family is so strong. You can read about their journey and offer support here. We've been following their story from the very beginning. Baby Christian's mommy wrote beautiful updates in the CaringBridge journal throughout the entire journey. When you stop by their site, be sure to bring some tissues with you.


My (Sarah's) kitty, Inkin, began to not feel so well a couple months ago. Her health began to rapidly decline during break. I've had her since I was 9 years old and she was 10 weeks old. However, her time with us came to an end. She now rests peacefully. I'm sad about her passing, but the timing couldn't have been better. Her passing away while we visited my parents' home was best, because she is now resting there instead of us wondering what to do if she passed away while here in Fort Wayne. We wouldn't have wanted to bury her here at our rental home. It was an odd feeling coming back home to Fort Wayne after the Christmas travels and seeing her food and water bowls waiting for her.


On a brighter note, Isaac's Auntie Laura took some fabulous photos of him. She is quite the talented photographer and captured some really lovely moments:

Bath time!

Isaac is very good at unwrapping gifts. He loves loves paper!

Auntie Laura is finally in front of the camera! What a sweet photo.

Isaac seems to like doing a certain thing (blowing bubbles, a fake cough, etc) for a week or two

and then moves on to something else. For one of the weeks during Christmas break he discovered this

expression. This was particularly funny because his uncle did the same thing when he was this age! 

While visiting GG and Grandpa, Isaac was sure to enjoy some puppy time...

...including Sooner! Isaac is drawn to animals, which is so sweet! 

We are glad heenjoys animals, because we do too! 

Isaac likes to hold the puppy's face and then give it a kiss on its nose. So sweet. :-)

During the last week of break we've been trying to get back to normal and get back into a routine. I've been busy making freezer meals (may as well get ahead if I can!), catching up on laundry and putting away Christmas stuff little by little. Adam has also been taking advantage of this last bit of free time; he's been working very hard on his studies and getting ahead in some classes. As this break came to a close, we couldn't help but realize how close Call Day is becoming...

...after all, Call Day is only 114 days away. 

Which is also 9,849,600 seconds. 

Or 164,160 minutes. 

Or 2,736 hours. 

Or 16 weeks. 

Moving Day & Etc

The whole moving process began on July 18th. Some of us went to Fort Wayne ahead of the moving truck so that the house could be prepped, nursery walls painted and kitchen unpacked. The large moving truck arrived the next day and some unloading was done. However, Saturday was the big day - unloading the moving truck, arranging furniture and beginning the adventure of unpacking.

We are so so thankful for all of the unloading and unpacking help we received. Moving can be quite a challenge...even more so with a newborn. Some wonderful people from our vicarage church helped as well as some good friends from seminary and family from Illinois. So thankful!

We are very blessed with our home this year. It is a cute house, close to the seminary and a short distance from several places we like to shop. (It is just about walking distance to Hobby Lobby! Dangerous, I know! ;-)) Our home has three bedrooms, which is wonderful! Isaac has his nursery and Adam is able to have a room for studying. There are built in shelves and desks, too. As many of you know, a seminarian can never have enough book shelves. ;-)

Here we are once again calling Fort Wayne "home"...but for only a year! The Call Service will take place in the spring and we are already doing the countdown. :-)

It is the Lord who goes before you...

The other day a certain verse in Deuteronomy caught my eye. It's a verse that's found amidst a time of transition in the Old Testament, when Joshua succeeds Moses.  

Moses tells all of Israel, "Be strong and courageous... it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you" (Deut. 31:6).

Then Moses tells Joshua in front of  the Israelites: “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it.  It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed” (Deut. 31:7,8).


Note the peace and comfort that is given: "It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." Transitions can be tough, whether it be receiving a new leader, switching schools, moving 1,000 miles away for a year or coming back to a certain place in Indiana once called "home." Our Heavenly Father knows that transitions can be difficult, that's why the Israelites were given those sweet words of encouragement. Our Lord knows our hearts and sees our tears. That's why He gives us the comfort and confidence that He is with us, He won't leave us, we needn't fear in what lies ahead because "It is the Lord who goes before you."

First Impressions & the Fish Bowl

Definition of first impression:
the initial information received about and impressions formed of an individual, which can be difficult to forget, even when they are contradicted later

Definition of fish bowl: 
1. a state of affairs in which you have no privacy
2. a transparent bowl in which small fish are kept

As church workers and families of church workers, we are familiar with these terms.  We experience this during field work, vicarage and call. We are being watched from every angle.


There are preconceptions for church workers and their families. These expectations can range from how a child is disciplined, whether the wife works, the pastor's hair style and which vehicles they drive. Most of us are people pleasers. And, naturally, we want to make a good impression. This can be stressful.


Here are a few bits of advice from fellow fish bowl dwellers:


In a new place, sometimes we may draw inward because of shyness, knowing we will be living in a certain place for a short time, or we're afraid of losing further privacy: "Think about what you will miss out on if you don't put forth the effort to get to know people." Embrace where you have been placed and embrace the people.


~~~


We had been here a few weeks and the paper had just published a simple article about us -mostly my husband's education background and from where we originated. That morning I walked into the thrift store and got a "Wait- aren't you from the paper!?" 
Then I went into the grocery store and a little old lady snapped, "Hey! You 'guys' have to eat too?!!!" 
I calmly replied with a smile "Yes! Incredible, Aye?" and she continued "Not only that, but I LOVE it!" she cackled. Yea- it was a cackle.
I felt really uncomfortable. Of course I eat. I'm not a Kranken from the sea. If she did come to that stark realization right then and there I'm thankful she just announced it- because that is an important realization- vicar's/pastor's families ARE human. But- if she was being snarky, I feel feel that's too bad.
I shared this story with you because I think we all are going to have that 1st moment (and 2nd and so on) where we are set back with realization of how powerful these preconceptions are. 
In fact- I have caught MYSELF- a vicar's wife- battling my own preconceptions about these positions. Now you know they must be powerful if I have preconceptions about my own position! HA!


~~~


In my mind I had a vision of how a vicar's wife or pastor's wife is supposed to be. Nearly perfect. (Shouldn't be too hard, right? ;-)) And my mission was to meet and exceed that ideal. Well, just days into vicarage, something I said to the pastor wasn't perceived as I had intended it to be understood. And then it happened again.  I feel like a failure. My stint of feeling like the ideal vicar's wife lasted only a few days. So much for perfection. My enthusiasm deflated as a sense of failure took its place. My husband said with an encouraging smile, "Just be yourself and do your best." Seeking the Lord's forgiveness and guidance, I look onward with a different perspective. There are no cookie cutter vicar's/pastor's wives out there, we're all different and we all have different talents and character traits to offer. We're human, we mess up. And really, from a parishioner's point of view, I think a vicar's wife is be more approachable if I saw that she had imperfections - just like me. :-)


~~~



A woman came up to me after church and said, "Hi, I haven't met you yet. My name is Barbara.* What is your name?" I responded with my name, mentioning that I was the new vicar's wife. Barbara smiled shyly and said, "Ohh, well, I'm just one of the people in the pew." Giving an empathetic smile, I said, "Aren't we all?" She blinked and said with a glowing smile, "Yes, I suppose that's true."
*Name changed for privacy.


~~~


I try to remember advice I was given by a seasoned pastor's wife: "Let them love you".


~~~


I've discovered that there are ALWAYS expectations of the pastor's wife (esp in regards to what the last one did). BUT most parishioners either do recognize that you are a different person or they will after you gently explain that you don't play organ or don't feel comfortable leading LWML, etc. (unless, of course, you do or want to!) A kind word and gentle response from you usually helps to clear up misconceptions best - and just be patient. Also - former pastor's wives can also be pushy about what you should be doing, depending on their personality. (I had adult organ lesson books left here for me as a not so subtle hint that I should learn organ...) And you may find items left behind in the parsonage, like we did. Make your home and your church involvement your own and don't feel bad about it! :) Parishioners love you for who you are, so don't feel like you have to fit a mold of any kind. Just love them back! :)

Dear sisters in Christ, be yourself. Be a God pleaser, not a people pleaser. (When you're a God pleaser, you'll be pleasing the right people anyway.) Reach out to the people of your congregation and let them love you. Bloom where you are planted.

Galatians 1:10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

John 13:34 ...Love one another...

Transition

Dear sisters in Christ, wives of seminary students,


For many seminary families, there are times during the seminary journey when the insecurity of transition can be....well, "uncomfortable."


Summer, after seminarians have received their vicarage assignment or call, is one of those times when hundreds of questions and uncertainties may arise in our minds.  And anxieties of moving away from our dear friends...or them moving...or both of us moving!


Concerns I've heard over the past few summers at sem:


"All my friends left for vicarage! They will be back in a year, but then we'll be leaving for our vicarage....hopefully our paths cross next summer."
"My good friend has moved away...and it's for her husband's call. They won't be coming back to seminary. I may never see her again."
"We move for vicarage in a matter of days and I'll be leaving the friends that are more like family. What if I don't make friends during vicarage.... I'll only be there a year....  w h y  make friends?"


Dear sisters in Christ, this seminary journey is such a great adventure! Yes, it has its sorrows and frustrations, but we are so blessed to have this opportunity and privilege of supporting our husbands through this trek and further the Gospel. The seminary community is rich with support, encouragement and comfort. As Philippians 4:19 reminds us, the Lord will provide.


During this time of transition (and always), let us count our blessings and keep our eyes on Jesus. Close friendships can be maintained (thank you email, Facebook, Skype, texting, phone, etc). Embrace where you have been placed...whether it be at seminary, vicarage, or call. Bloom where you have been planted and trust in His plan - He loves you and will always take care of you, even through the heart-wrenching pain of leaving beloved friends.


Philippians 4:19 "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."


Hebrews 12:1,2 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Moving Organization - Box Labels and Moving Checklist

Hello, dear friends!

I am aware that many of you {i.e. seminary families} will be moving soon whether it be to vicarage, back to Fort Wayne, or to your call. Here are a couple handy dandy resources I've come across that I thought I'd pass along.  Happy packing! :-)

Box Labels
Take a peek at this link and read the comments - more helpful info.

Moving Checklist

 page 1

page 2

page 3

An Encouragement of Fellowship

Today SWA (student wives association) hosted an informational event for wives of the seminary students. This event had great speakers (professors and placement directors) from the seminary who not only explained the vicarage and call process but also answered the wives' numerous questions. Everything from how the process begins to how it concludes, moving logistics to insurance, furnished vicarage to bringing a pony....

This event was informational and an encouragement from the placement directors to the wives. The meeting was also a wonderful fellowship opportunity for the wives as we prepare for yet another chapter of this seminary adventure.

Blessings,
Sarah

{Now where is my packing tape....}