So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on Your servants! Satisfy us in the morning with Your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as You have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil. Let Your work be shown to Your servants, and Your glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!
~ Psalm 90:12-17
I’ve been thinking about time quite a bit the past few weeks. Thinking back, I’ve thought about last May when we were selling our house and planning our big move to Indiana, and I’ve thought about all the years leading up to the decision to come here. Thinking ahead, I can’t help but think that one short year from now we’ll be getting ready to head out on vicarage, and God willing, in just three years I’ll have my degree and my first official call. Like so many others, I would say the past year has gone too quickly, and yet it’s hard to believe it’s only been one year. The past 12 months have been packed with new people, new knowledge, and new experiences. It’s been simultaneously tough and terrific, and I already know we’re going to be sad when we all have to go our separate ways again.
The most exciting part of the last quarter for me has been starting to think less as a student only and more as a pastor. This is partly because of added responsibilities at church – leading more of the liturgy, preaching, and jumping in to help with unexpected needs – and partly because of my pastoral theology class which really challenged my thinking on some difficult issues. I’m slated to preach at least four more times this summer and will teach an adult class on catechesis later this year at Zion.
Of course, it hasn’t been all work. There were plenty of fun events this quarter as well, including: a seminary BBQ on April 5; an egg hunt and meal with friends on Easter; a celebration of learning for Classical Conversations on April 20; opening zoo day on April 28; Trail Life camping at Pokagon State Park on April 29-30; an adults-only church gathering on May 1; time for Pamela with seminary wives and time for me with first-year students on May 7; and a trip to South Dakota for a graduation (I had to stay in Indiana for finals week) May 13-17.
There’s no denying we’re all looking forward to the break. We’ll be visiting family, friends, and supporters in South Dakota, but most of our summer will be spent in Fort Wayne hanging out with seminary friends and visiting some new sites on our checklist. It’s hard to say who’s most excited about me not taking classes for a while – Pamela, the boys, or me. That’s not to say it’s going to be all rest and relaxation. Besides sermon preparation, I’m going to brush up on my languages and revisit some texts from the year.
This is a great time for us to thank again all our supporters who have helped us get through this first year. Our hearts are filled with gratitude every time we receive a card or donation. Thank you, truly.
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