Things I am Thankful For
Pastor Vince Derr’s Ordination
Our church was blessed to be part of developing and confirming Pastor Vince Derr’s calling as a minister of the Gospel. The Apostle Paul wrote to a young Timothy who was in the challenges of ministry and reminded him of the time that hands were laid on him. I hope someday when Vince is facing challenges in ministry that he will remember that we saw God’s giftedness in him, God’s call on his life, and that we prayed for the Holy Spirit to work powerfully through him. Ordination is not the finish line of ministry, but it is being assigned a particular lane in the race you are to run. Pastor Vince will continue to develop, but now he will not need to be developing so that he can be ordained; he will need to keep developing because he has been ordained.
Powerful Testimonies of our Church’s Hospitality
At our last congregational meeting Heath and Caitlin Bakker and also Steve and Shelly Johnson shared moving testimonies of how the hospitality of this congregation gave them the desire to join. That hospitality was first shared with Heath and Caitlin’s children, who are Steve and Shelly’s grandchildren, through AWANA and Radiate youth ministry. Both couples later experienced that hospitality when they decided to attend a worship service. These testimonies celebrate years of commitment to children’s and youth ministry and effort toward being a welcoming congregation. Pastor John shared a moving exhortation after the meeting: congregations never grow hospitable by accident; we cannot become complacent in this area after hearing what a difference our openness makes in the lives of others.
Progress on the Parsonage Kitchen Remodeling
I am so grateful that this church sees a future worth investing in and that they are generously caring for our family and future pastors’ families by completely remodeling and updating the kitchen. The plans are beautiful., and Travis Ringena and Adam Mast (whose daughter goes to our youth ministry) are carrying them out. As we see the original walls of the old kitchen with bright yellow paint and a strawberry border and witness all the layers of floors coming off, we imagine all the families that have lived in this parsonage since it was built almost a century ago.
A New Grandson on the Way in Florida
Our daughter, Jessica, and her husband, Noah, are expecting their first child in November. This little boy is still breech and might have to be delivered by C-Section, but we are so grateful for him and for our other four grandchildren. Those of you that are in the busy stage of parenting young children, enjoy it and be thankful for these times, but know that an easier season awaits you--a season when you can enjoy young children without being responsible for meeting all their needs or for all their behavior!
Our Last Child Quickly Becoming an Adult
Our youngest, Karis, has applied and been accepted to Iowa State University. It is unusually peaceful to have this already decided by November. Karis works hard in school and sports and inspires me with her self-discipline and determination. She also blesses us with some wonderful cooking and is looking forward to putting the new kitchen to work. We are grateful for all our other adult children and the lives they are living thanks in part to the love and truth shared with them by this church. Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
