a jaunt through the last month

I figured it was past time for one of my incredibly interesting personal updates.

I have been devoting most of my efforts over the last four weeks to finding a call to some sort of assistant pastor ministry. It hasn't been going as quickly as I'd want, but there are still some irons in the fire. As long as there are possibilities I don't get too discouraged.

Last week I went to the PCA General Assembly to meet folks and pass out resumes. I had a free place to stay and a free plane ticket so I only had to pay for food, taxi, and parking at the airport (which turned out to be a major hit. but I don't want to talk about it). I was encouraged by how many people I knew. GA is like a big reunion. And if you are from St. Louis, grew up in the PCA, participated in RUF, and graduated from Covenant, you are definitely part of the family. Now, if only those family members could throw me a bone and help me get a job.

I went to a colloquium on the efficacy of the sacraments while I was there. fascinating stuff. Here is a link to the papers and audio. If folks are interested we might could have a separate post about it.

I didn't stick around for Thursday's action. the big deal this year (and probably for the next couple of years) is what to do about the office of deacons and women? One presbytery overtured for a study committee to be formed to help them address some issues brought up in their presbytery. Another presbytery overtured that a study committee not be formed. The vote was close but the "not be formed" guys won. So the issue goes back to the presbyteries to work out. It is a weird situation. On the one hand I don't see how the assembly can refuse to aid a presbytery asking for legitimate help on a legitimately confusing issue. On the other I can see the value of leaving it to the local bodies to work out. The trouble comes when one presbytery brings up another on charges after the worked it out on there own in an unsatisfactory way. But maybe I am being cynical. It is a funny world. One of the things I came away with was the conviction that as a pastor in the PCA (if that is what eventually happens) part of my calling is to take my role in the church government seriously as much as I'd like to avoid the whle mess and hang out in the lobby with my friends. If we don't take it seriously then the ones who take pleasure in such things rule the day. And then nobody wins.

In between job search stuff I have been doing odd jobs to make enough money to get by until we have to move out of our apartment on July 15. After that I don't know what we will do. It is looking like we will have to put our stuff in storage and, depending on the outlook at that time, come up with either a short term or longer term plan for existing.

I tuned 30 last week. Abby planned a great surprise party and I was definitely surprised. It feels good to be 30. When I was 29 the 29ness made me feel bad about how out of shape I was. Now that I am in my 30s my out-of-shapeness feels just right. Plus, when you have three kids in your 20's people wonder if you know what you are doing. When you are in your thirties no one gives it a second thought. So 30 feels good.

I have been reading a lot lately. I read another short John Steinbeck book called The Red Pony. And I am reading an interesting science fiction book called Nightside the Long Sun by Gene Wolfe. I am also reading Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth and Annie Dillard's The Pilgrim at Tinker Creek and Tolkien's Children of Hurin. The last two have been put on hold for the moment because I am really getting into the other ones. So look forward to some posts on that in the next 13 days.

I never got around to posting any graduation info so here is what I began to write about graduating from a while back:

Friday I graduated.

I picked up my genuine diploma today from the registrars office. They hold it hostage so you turn you gown back in. Gown... am I spelling that correctly? What a funny looking word... gown.

I had a great time over the last few days. I turned in my final papers Wednesday morning. On Thursday many of my family members came into town. Abby made a delicious dinner of barbecue pork, lemon cole slaw, jello, and beer chips for us all before most of the crew took the kids to the their school for their spring program. Meanwhile, back at the bat cave, I went to the pre-graduation worship service with Abby, Rebekah (Mrs. Iron Truck Ten for those who have been long time readers), and my mom. Baccalaureate was surprisingly enjoyable.

Friday morning I golfed with my dad, brother and grandpa. The course was mighty soggy, but the weather was nice. A good time was had by all. I sunk a beautiful chip shot on the 2nd or 4th hole (I can't remember) and it made all the bad-shot-sufferings worth it.

We came home to the recently arrived Stephen Fitts (early years mumblety-pegger who used the name Iron Truck Ten). Abby had prepared a delicious brunch of egg and sausage casserole, banana muffins, blueberry scones, and fresh fruit. then everyone left but the Fitts family (and Katie) so we could prepare for the gourmet party Abby had concocted for me. We worked like we were on Iron Chef America. It was fun. And the menu of crab cakes, mini taco bites (with shredded chicken, homemade guacamole and sour cream on tiny fried tortillas), lemon marinated steak skewers, and some other stuff. Abby has an extensive post about it so maybe I'll just direct you there. She did a great job.

Then I graduated. Then we partied. Then we crashed. There was more but I suppose I have gone on long enough.