1989 to 2009 = 20 years!

Is it possible that we have been gone from Nashville 20 years in August? Twenty years! In those two decades there were too many years lived in limbo--lived with the hope that this phase will soon come to an end and life will get back to normal. But while you are in that temporary state of being you don't want to waste the years, so you live in the moment and hope that there is a "normal" somewhere in your future.

The seminary years, August 1989 through May 1996, were productive temporary years, limbo with a purpose, very invigorating and fulfilling. But with seminary behind us and degrees in hand, eager to find ministry, nobody wanted us! We soon learned that without a denomination affiliation our opportunities were diminished.

For what seemed like an eternity, limbo continued. We worked various part-time positions, provided pulpit supply, were adjunct instructors for two different colleges, served as chaplain with Hospice and hospitals , did substitute teaching, was a teacher's assistant and for a time I worked with the county doing literacy evaluation for people on probation.... This incomplete list of our part-time work establishes the flavor of our time between 1996 and 2000--very, very limbo-ish. Some where along the way Alana and Don Paul graduated from their universities and found time to get married! Rebecca finished high school and went on to college. Our limbo did not seem to hinder their progress.

Two spots in limbo that we'll never forget: 1) Thomas' quadruple heart by-pass surgery in August 1997 that cause us to postpone a planned teaching trip to Ecuador. 2) Rescheduled trip to Ecuador for three months, January through March. We lived in Cuenca, Ecuador, teaching classes at Seminario Biblico Evangelico de Cuenca, with translators, of course. SemBEC was directed by Rev. Jorg Mogrevejo, an Ecuadorian friend from our seminary days.

During a five year sojourn in Texas, 1998-2003, assisting in the care of our mothers in their final years, Thomas and I affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). I was ordained in 2001 and Thomas' ordination had been accepted by the denomination the year before. Normal began to seep into our lives ever so slowly. More opportunities for ministry opened for us. November 2003 to the present we've lived in Missouri, ministering with Disciples. This feels like a good normal--if there is such a state of being.