Keep Praying

Well, it looks like I have passed the first two hurdles between myself and the new appointment. There will be a Charge Conference on May 8th, so keep praying that everything goes according to God's plan. It is looking very, very hopeful so far.

I continue filling my time with D.Min. work and, somehow, ended up on another District Committee trying to help small churches with their worship. How did that happen???? I just woke up from a nap, went to the meeting, and walked away with a new job. Probably my fault for taking that nap before going in, it made me too talkative.

Ryss did very well at the District 5 Competition yesterday. She had to switch from the oboe to the violin at the last minute (oboe broke) and got third place. It is a 22 county competition, so I was happy for her. The Horse Team did outstanding, though, they beat everyone in their own age bracket and then just for practice competed against the senior team and beat them too.

I have been trying to pack a little bit every day. It isn't very much fun because I like to have everything in close reach. I mean, what if I need it??? I probably haven't needed it for five years but I might need it.

References Checked

Well, I heard that the SPRC Chair was checking my references so I hope that this process is moving forward. I haven't heard anything about the results of the Monday night meeting. I would be terribly anxious but instead I'm focusing on getting my doctoral project put together and completing the reading for the next seminar.

One of the books that I have to read and review is Dallas Willard's "The Divine Conspiracy". This is a great book and if you haven't already read any of Dallas' work, I highly recommend it. I decided to read the biggest book first (plus, it has the longest paper attached to it). It has been a little hard to get back into the swing of school.

I am, also, trying to getting the packing process started (because one way or another I will be moving). I packed up my fine china yesterday and took down my wall of crosses. Now my living room doesn't feel right. I think I should have waited for that part of the packing. I feel weird in my own living room with a great big blank wall staring at me.

In between, all the other projects, I continue to work-out and lose weight. I rode the bicycle for one full hour today (so of course, now my knee hurts) but it is helping with the tension of not knowing where I will end up in six weeks.

Thanks for all of your support and prayers.....keep it up.

Amen

“A successful woman preacher was once asked ‘What special obstacles have you met as a woman in ministry?’ ‘Not one,” she answered, ‘except the lack of a minister’s wife.’”

-Anna Garlin Spence, stereotype-smashing clergywoman

Trip

Well, the trip seemed very successful. I had a great meeting with the senior pastor and the D.S. There are certain steps that have to be followed because they are creating a new position but I am hopeful that it will work out.

Keep praying for me. Hopefully I will know something for sure within the next two weeks. The next hurdle is the SPRC and Finance Committee Meetings on Monday (finger's crossed).

Latest Update

Okay guys, here goes: I am scheduled to meet with the Senior Pastor and the District Superintendent in Arkansas on Thursday at 10 a.m. This pastor is very interested in my D.Min. Program especially as it relates to building congregational spirituality through small groups.

I just pray that we really hit it off. I am so excited and hopeful.

Prayer Warriors

A wonderful (possible) opportunity has opened up for me. I have to interview for the position but I am so very excited.

I am just asking all of you to pray for me. Please pray for me.

New Mexico

Well, New Mexico was a disappointment. They don't have any full-time positions available but have some part-time church's available if I want one. I told them that it would depend on what I hear from Arkansas.

The D.S. in Arkansas sounded promising but they are behind in their appointment process and have to place all of their members before considering transfers. He said that my name has been brought up several times, but once again they have to place their own members first.

He did say that he still has two full-time appointments in his district that have no names behind them. I asked him if at the end of the process they were still unfilled would he want me in his district. He said, "In a heart-beat"!! So that sounds promising and since it happened within fifteen minutes of getting the disappointing news from New Mexico, I didn't sink into depression.

My daughter didn't want to go to New Mexico so she was conflicted about the news. She was ecstatic that we aren't going but she felt sorry for me at the same time. She is going through her own angst at this time because of leaving all her friends behind. I hope that I can find a church and stay there until she graduates from High School. I have been here for 4 1/2 years. I would only need to stay in one place for five years for that to happen.

I can feel your prayers.....keep them coming.

BTW, I am still working on my doctorate because I have faith that God will find a place for me, so I haven't given up hope.

BRAG BLOG

This is the blog where I am going to list all of my daughter's recent accomplishments, so skip it if you don't want to hear from a proud momma.

1. Accepted into Duke University's Gifted & Talented Program and received a significant scholarship ($2,450) from them to attend their summer classes. She chose to study Philosophy at the University of Kansas this summer (I will never win another argument with her). She scored a 22 on her ACT, not too bad for a 13-year-old.

2. UIL Competitions: Science 1st Place, Number Sense 2nd Place, Ready Writing 2nd Place (These are all District-wide competitions).

3. 4-H Competitions: 1st Place Intermediate Team Horse Judging District Competition (District has 22 counties); 1st Place Individual High Point Horse Judging; 1st Place Performance Horse Judging. And last night, 1st Place County in Musical Instrument Performance.

4. Grand Champion Junior High Cheerleading Squad at National Competition.

Okay, that's all the brag's for the month of March......April is only starting.