Pastor’s Corner March 2012

The following was published in our monthly newsletter, the Redeemer Report.

Feeling blessed…

The last two years have been about as turbulent as Shari and I can remember. The challenging economic times have certainly made church life more complex, so that’s on my mind. My knee injury and surgery in late 2010 has really altered my activity level, something I am still trying to figure out quite honestly. Then, it has been a strangely unsettled time for since the passing of my father in May. We are trying to sell my mother’s house and our house in order to buy something for all of us to live together. Mom will need her space and we’ll need ours, but we’re excited about the prospective move-not the moving process itself-but being in a more suitable place. Of course, this is a tough time to sell a house. We’re also in the final stages, Lord willing, of adopting Willow.  She has been such a blessing to our family! I have to chuckle every once and a while about having her.  I told Shari after Jordan was born, “We’re done”!  My father was 40 when he had me, I always told myself I wanted to have my children younger, before my thirties if possible. Well, here I am at forty (and a half) with a little baby girl.  The Lord does have a sense of humor.  After this, we’ll still do foster care, but we’re done with having our own!  Did I just say that? I am also in the final sections of research and writing to complete my Doctor of Arts in Religion. This doctorate has been the most challenging intellectual exercise I have ever undertaken, I underestimated how much time I would have to devote in relation to my ministry responsibilities, but it’s been tremendous for my personal study discipline. I would very much like to finish it in 2012. Add to these things our oldest son is turning thirteen shortly after this newsletter reaches you. He asked me to get him an electric shaver for his developing whiskers.  Wow. Did I mention I am 40 (and a half)? There’s so much going on with us, how about you? Do you know what is such a joy and comfort in the midst of unsettledness? Our church family. We find Redeemer to be such an oasis for our souls. No matter what is swirling around us, there is a steadiness and regularity about our church life and family that is reassuring and encouraging. Each Monday when I come in to the office, I can’t wait to crack open my bible to the gospel of Mark and get fired up for the next Sunday.  All the ministry stuff that happens during the week invigorates me. Sure there are frustrations. Yes I feel stressed at times. I’m sure we all experience these things. At the end of the day, on those occasions when Shari and I can relax after putting the kids to bed, we look at each other very thankfully for how God has called us and placed our family among you. We feel very blessed. In the Lamb, Tony Felich