The Storm before the Calm

That is kind of how Derek thinks our life is going to be for a while. Remember that little bit in my last post about how he is resigning as youth pastor and going back to only ONE job instead of TWO? Well it was announced at church, along with describing what an amazing job he has done for the past two years as the youth pastor (yes, I'm patting my hardworking husband on the back, once again). Let's look again at the picture I had to sneak at church - Andrea was a witness to how I was holding my camera down on my chest in my seat, trying not to draw attention to myself snapping pictures in the middle of announcements!

The announcement was followed by much applause and a standing ovation at one of the services, and it totally brought tears to my eyes. Even though he hated the attention, I was so proud of him, as I have always been.

As I have said already, our lives are going to go through so much change this year! The search process for the new youth pastor has begun, and Derek is co-leading the process. We are in serious prayer that the right guy will be found for this job - please join us in that effort! However, the next few months as we go through that process and Derek continues on with both jobs and he does some really exciting curriculum with the youth and he coaches Hailey's upward basketball team (while always watching Symantha's cheerleading) and he goes on a couple of trips for work and he plans a 30 hour famine.... oh, I'll just stop there, as I'm sure you get the idea. It is the storm before the calm of somewhat normal life resuming. I'm gearing up, and doing my best to support him while looking forward to that CALM. I'm thankful that in the midst of all of this, he really does continue to be a caring, thoughtful husband. I couldn't survive this if he wasn't, and I wouldn't trade him for anything.