Call Cadence

Coo! Crazy Call chaos created calamity....

Ok, not really.
Friday night, Julie and I got together with the Johnstons and Sternhagens for our final monthly ex-pat get together. We had a "Fish Fiesta": lobster thermadour (compliment of a gift of lobsters from one of Julie's school moms), red snapper, grouper, barracuda, and shnook. It was delicious! Lots of good food and lots of good company. The topic of the evening was Call Day...

Part of the festivities involved a supposed "rite of passage" -
eating a fish eyeball. Pastor Sternhagen is all things food and fish.

Julie, however, does not have the same stomach and excitement for
adventuresome foods. She ate it, but, well, just look at her face. =)

Both Julie and I are coming back to the States to teach this next academic year. We streamed MLC's graduation, watched our friends and loved ones walk the stage to accept their diplomas, and waited in high anticipation for the Call Service, slated to begin at 2:30 Central Time. Pastor Johnston went on a crazy alliterative kick and began to give everything the label "call". We had call cakes (pancakes) for breakfast with call coffee, watched call cartoons, lunch was call cabbage salad, there were call chores, call cleaning.... yeah. I had gone on an early morning run to the beach to give my mind a break, then practiced keyboard for church, helped stain some boards for library shelving... Then came time for the Service. The computer at the Johnston's house has rather low volume, so we were all plugged into earphones, leaning toward the computer, anxiously listening and exclaiming as we heard different names and locations.

I am humbled to announce that I have been called to service Pilgrim Lutheran School in Mesa, AZ, to teach grades 3-4, music, and serve as an organist. God is good! All the time! What an amazing blessing that God uses his people to provide calls for those who train for the public ministry.

Today in church, it was announced (officially) that Julie and I are leaving. We were called up to the front and presented with a certificate to thank us for our year of service here. The excitement of my new placement is mixed with the bitterness of having to say goodbye. As my time here draws to a close, I can't help but reflect on all the challenges and blessings that define my experience. May God be praised!

"So do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9