Tuesday, April 24, 2012

The Long and the Short of It

There has been WAY too much drama around here this winter! Miscarriage, tummy bug, and just when we are getting our footing again, or so I thought, Dale was voted out as Pastor.

We aren't really surprised that it happened, but just surprised at the way it happened. To make a very long story short, after one Sunday without us they rescinded the vote. Come to find out one man was bullying and threatening some of the older ladies to vote as he wanted them to. So not cool. Anyway, they basically said "Oh, never mind." So, between Saturday and a Wednesday meeting, they changed their minds, and we were left not know which way was up.

However, no matter how fickle people are, God is NOT. Dale and I have been praying for a couple years about whether or not it was time to move on, and God has shown us that it is time. After much prayer, Dale publicly resigned.

The good news is that we have 90 days or more, if everyone is agreeable. Dale has agreed to fill the pulpit as needed, with the understanding that we may be gone candidating. Also, except for the one person that wants us out as of "yesterday", everyone is willing to make this a friendly parting, which will is much preferable.

Dale and I are at peace with this, and are excited about whatever is next for our family. He is updating his resume, and I will continue packing, at a much more leisurely pace, than the frantic "We Have To Be Out of Here in 30 Days" panic mode packing. For the record, I think I would have made it in the 30 days. Once I got moving on it (no pun intended), I dug in and was in the zone. I also have been doing some much needed sorting, decluttering, and giving away of all our stuff.

The members voted to go ahead and hold the missions conference if we were still willing to house the missionary. Just so happens it all worked out so that we could, so the missionary will be here this evening. We have been spending the day cleaning like crazy.

For yet more drama, yesterday we woke up at 4 a.m. to the transformer on the street shorting out, blowing up, whatever it did to cause a boom and fireworks. That was nerve wracking. It was good thing we had had heavy rain on Sunday or I think the trees would have caught fire because it has been so dry! We also got 3 to 4 inches of very heavy snow. Hard to believe that just last week it was in the 80's and I was joyfully hanging laundry outside! We lost power until around noon. By then we had laundry and dishes and the like to catch up on, and didn't get much prep work done for the missions conference.

We had some music planned to do as a family, but we are all in sundry stages of a nasty cold, and though some are getting their voices back, many haven't yet, or are still coughing up a lung. We have a couple of instrumentals to do, so we'll see if we can get those together and start with that. The vocals will have to wait.

Whew. I'm so DONE with the drama here and am longing for those "dull, mundane, boring" days again. What a crazy ride this has been since last December!

Anyway, if the blog seems quite for a while, you know why. We haven't fallen off the face of the earth, just seeking God's will as to where our place is to be. We are excited about it, and looking forward to landing wherever Dale's next ministry will be, and digging into the work there.

3 comments:

Regina said...

Oh, Lisa! I'm so sorry all of you have to deal with bullies, even in the church. I'll keep all of you in prayer as you recuperate from your sickness, pack and find another church to pastor.

Blessings my dear friend,
Regina ((((hugs))))

Anonymous said...

Praying for you my friend.....
Shellee

Lori said...

I've been thinking about and praying for you and your family. I can't wait to hear an update.