Changes, Changes, Changes

OK...first a confession -- I'm sitting at a Starbucks in downtown Madison (sorry to all of you I've just offended). I'm here because my son Chris is here...working for now as a Barista guy. I came here because I wanted to do some work, but also because Chris is only going to working here for a few more days and I always like to see my kids at work.
The title of this little blog ditty is "Changes..."
Many changes have happened in the last month, and most have been of the really good kind.

FIRST OF ALL, CHRIS HAS A TEACHING JOB!!! Even though I know he blogged this himself, I couldn't help but brag on this change for his life. First of all, this is the beginning of what might be 30+ years of work (don't let that freak you out Chris). When your in your twenties (or 30 for that matter) you often settle into a career choice, but it doesn't hit you that you might be doing this for a number of years to come. Chris, and Sarah with him, have spent the better part of six years preparing for this day...needless to say, I am very proud of what is happening for them.
I've seen Chris teach, and he's awesome. The parents of the kids that he gets to teach are going to have a quality guy impacting their kids life. Nice job Chris...and Sarah, we're praying for that job for you.

SECONDLY, KELLY AND GREG ARE MOVED INTO COTTAGE GROVE after living for several years in Chicago. It has seemed like a very long extended weekend for a month now as Kelly, Greg and often their dogs Diesel (isn't that a great name for a Bull terrier?) and Sunny come walking into the house. We've eaten more meals together in the last month than we did in the previous six years! One of the changes ahead for them is in securing their jobs --I'm very hopeful for their job situation. Still, the fact that they are so near and a part of our lives is something we never dreamed of and very grateful for.

THIRDLY, MY JOB SITUTATION IS CHANGED. After three years away from the title "pastor", I've returned to this maddening career choice. I've become a part of Mad City Church's pastoral staff...a combination of working with the other pastoral staff and expanding some of the equipping needs within the church. I've done this "job" for 30+ years (see above). It's a position for the "spiritual masochists", but I keep saying to myself, "Jesus loves the church" :)

LASTLY...MISC NOTES ON CHANGES:
Linda starts her 17th year with Madison Schools...it may be her last????
Andy starts another year at MATC...moving along in his degree work.

LINDSAY AND PETER CELEBRATED ANNIVERSARY #2 YESTERDAY....HAPPY ANNIVERSARY GUYS!

Ok...end this with a phrase from the Psalms: "The boundary lines for me have fallen in pleasant places..." Amen, thanks God for goodness and mercy!