Metamorphises

Two years ago we moved to this far off land so that Benjamin could become a pastor. Since he is nearly half way through this formation process, I thought I would take a moment to reflect on how these last two years have changed our family.

In the past two years we have moved twice, cut our income in half, and had a baby. These changes have been tough but through them we have been strengthened as a family. We've learned a lot of lessons - some of them the hard way.

We've learned that living eleven hours away from your family stinks. Our kids don't get to see our parents as often as we would like them to. Ben and I don't get to have much alone time because we can't always find a sitter and let's be honest - I have a really hard time trusting anyone with my kids that doesn't fall into the category of immediate family.

We've learned that if you don't have very much money you can't fight very much about money. You can, however, be disappointed about money a lot. Things that you want to do just can't always be done. Weekend trips that you would like to make can't be made. New clothes that I want to buy must be passed over.

We've learned that our fellow Christian saints around this country are more generous than we could have every imagined and more giving than we could ever deserve. I cry now when I open a letter in the mail and find a check or a gift card in it. I wonder why God, who knows how selfish and worthless I am, keeps giving me such good gifts. Doesn't He know, I ask Ben, that we are just going to buy something stupid with this money like a movie or pizza? Yet the money comes and we always end up with just what we need when a crisis strikes.

We've learned that having three bedrooms is a million times better than having two. Sophia and Connor sleep much better in their own separate bedrooms and if they are sleeping better, so am I.

We've learned that having a baby when you are at seminary is a great idea because you have your choice of a about three hundred wonderful Godfather candidates (although I daresay we picked two of the best).

I've learned that my husband is a pretty good preacher and that he is going to be a great pastor. He has come so far in the past two years that I am amazed by his transformation. He is still snarky and sarcastic (I kind of like him that way), but he talks to the elderly, jokes with high school kids, and answers deep theological questions in a way that I never would have expected him to two years ago.

We have learned that there are amazing pastors in formation and amazing men who will do so much good for God's children that will be put in their care. We've learned that a man of God can be pious without becoming pietistic.

Our experiences over the past two years have made us better. They have helped me and Ben to have a stronger marriage. They have helped us to be better parents. They have helped us to be more appreciative of the good gifts we receive. We pray that they will help Ben to be a better pastor and will help me to be a better pastor's wife.