It's been a long time since I posted anything on my "blog" so I will try to fill everyone in! Actually I'm lazy and I don't want to write the same thing more than once in a snail mail letter or email and so I am directing all my Facebook friends and email buddies here to "read all about it"!
Most of you know that we moved from Artesia, NM recently --- Tuesday, June 21 to be exact! There have been some big changes in our lives----ones that have required a giant step (no, LEAP!) of faith! I am guessing that the Lord knew I needed to grow in that area!!! Hopefully I can poetically ponder my past as a pastor's wife and tell you what the Lord is teaching me (or a least TRYING to teach me! But I don't think I am being a very good student these days! Just ask my x-preacher husband, Paul!)
What's this? "X-Preacher" , "Past preacher's wife"? NO we haven't "GIVEN UP THE MINISTRY" or backslidden or walked out on God or anything! Let me back up a bit! In the United Methodist church, about this time of year (late May and June) it is "appointment time". In the spring, the bishop and the district superintendants meet and pray about where to deploy their pastors. Taking into consideration the desires/needs of the congregations, the desires/needs of the pastor, and the needs of the churches/conference, they have the huge, daunting task of trying to match pastors with churches, and churches with pastors. They take into account the pastor's gifts and strengths and the churches' mission field and needs, and they match the two together. Hence, in 2001 we moved to Artesia---a match literally made in heaven! We have been in Artesia 9 wonderful years, and we thank God for what he has done in our lives and in the lives of our congregation. But just as surely as God calls you to a location or a job, God also can call you out of it. Let me explain: For a little over a year, we have sensed that it was time for us to move on from here. You've heard of "wearing out your welcome"? Well, I'm not sure we did that, but we wanted to leave before we did! Ha! We just sensed that God was telling us to step aside and let someone else plant some new seeds, and also water the seeds that we had planted under God's direction. So. . . we initiated the request for a change. Paul requested a leave of absence, and then early retirement from the United Methodist church , to be effective next May of 2011 (30 years). It wouldn't be fair to take another church for a year or so and then request early retirement. Churches need more continuity in leadership than that. So, since Paul has wanted to try his hand at something different, we decided to request a leave of absence for a year, prior to retirement. Paul is a hard-working preacher! He puts his heart, soul, and mind into studying the Scriptures in order to preach a Biblical sermon weekly. He works hard to guide the members of our congregation in a direction that the Lord is leading. In Artesia, he was very active in the community and attended many of the school and community events, besides visiting folk in their homes. He also wrote a devotional article weekly for the Artesia Daily Press. Now, it is time for break. His cup need refilling. He wants and needs a break from this line of ministry and wants to do something different. So, we decided to leave the pastoral ministry and move to Las Cruces, NM! A little over 28 years ago, the late Rev Maurice Stevens, founder of Missionary World Service and Evangelism (now Go International) told us something very profound.. As we were eating a meal with he and his wife, Beverly, one evening, he said to us, "Never become so content in a job that if the Lord tells you to leave it/move on, you won't be able to do it!" He told us that in reference to his life and call, but it has remained with me to this day, and I think it may have been a word from God for us, even now. It was and is a huge step of faith for us to leave the pastoral ministry, as we still aren't really clear on what the Lord would have us do here. But one thing we are certain of: God has told us to move on. And since He has told us to move on, we believe he will guide us on to the next thing. Now, lest you think that I am a person of great faith and strength, let me be quick to tell you that those words are easier said (or written) than done! My head knows all that for sure, but my heart is a bit further behind. This move has been a real struggle for me. I have been so content, fulfilled, loved, secure and happy in my role as pastor's wife. I have a definate call to full time Christian service. God let me know that back in my teenaged years. BUT, all Christians are to be in "full-time Christian service"! There is no place where we are exempt from serving the Lord. Now I just need to find the "next place" where God wants me to serve Him! And that will be the only place where I will find true contentment, fulfillment, love, security and happiness---in the center of His will!
One thing we DO know for certain, now that we've moved to Las Cruces, is that our children need us here at this time of their lives. Joe is finishing up his college career and will graduate from NM State University in December. Emilee is approaching her Senior year at NMSU, and Ben will be enrolling in College in the fall!!!! This is a rare opportunity that we have to be a source of encouragement to our 3 grown young adult children! Who knows when we will ever again all be located in the same town. We must not take that for granted! We thank the Lord for that blessing. AND that each one actually seems to like the idea that we are here!
So, there you have it. We have moved. Read on for some other details of our first days here. And maybe even some more lessons learned (or working on!)
Thus ends this segment of my "ponderings". . . And by the way. . . I'm still a pastor's wife. . . I'm the bride of the Greatest Pastor and Teacher of all time. . . Jesus Christ!
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