That all happened in one week?!

I talked to Matt a few times during his 2-day retreat last week. Each time he sounded relaxed, but I could hear a little hesitance in his voice whenever he would say that he thought it was going well. Now, we've always been painfully aware that this was not going to be a "rubber stamp" situation; we know all too well that he might not pass his interviews. However, we got our hopes up the week before because Matt's district superintendent told him that they had an appointment set up for him, provided he passed his interviews. We decided to risk having Karis and me fly up to Jersey mid-week, just IN CASE we got to meet with the church during the weekend.

It's hard to describe the emotional crash that I experienced after a long day of traveling with a 3-month-old by myself (our 1:40pm flight was delayed until 6:00pm) all the while anticipating good news from Matt when I landed, and instead hearing him tell me that he didn't pass his interviews. I began crying almost immediately (a very rare reaction for me) and I felt so angry and confused. The board had some good reasons for not passing him. They also had some reasons that I very much disagree with, and which I intend to address more in detail at a later date, because I think my voice and my experience as a Christian speaks directly against the board's theology.

For the following two hours, our future was in limbo. Matt's DS told him that the appointment might still happen, but couldn't say for sure. Would the board send Matt back to Kentucky to work for UPS for another year and expect him to gain church experience on his own? or would they take a chance and appoint him as a licensed local pastor? Matt was reserving his emotional response until he heard; I was letting it all out.

Then we get a call from Matt's DS saying that she had spoken to the bishop, who had spoken to the new DS, who had AGREED TO TAKE HIM ON and mentor him through his first appointment! Now here's the curve ball:

the church is in Pennsylvania.

Dingman's Ferry, Pennsylvania.

It's located in the middle the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, which basically means it's in the middle of the woods. I can see only one other house from the parsonage, and I have to strain my neck and squint to even see that one! BUT the church is phenomenal. And the parsonage is really nice; I'm already planning a Goodnight Moon-themed new room for Abbie! And for being in the middle of no where, the church is big! And it's been growing in the last few years...it seems perfect for Matt and our family. Adjusting to the location will probably be the biggest challenge for me, but I'm also looking forward to the beautiful fall colors, camping trips, and learning how to fire a gun! (And I've already been daydreaming about giving birth to our next baby in a birth pool on our huge back porch in the middle of the night....ahhhh---all that nature around me and then POOF! A new little creation! :-)

So, I'm emotionally spent. But I can't shake the feeling that God is very near to us, providing for us and preparing us for this adventure.



(Picture taken from http://dfumc.com)