Lately and Overdue

So much has happened lately and we are long overdue in reporting (or rather recording) some major milestones in our life.

Like everyone, we've been busy. It's incredible, but today, Jeremy will complete his last ever final exams at Westminster Theological Seminary. He has worked hard and sacrificed much for this moment.

As Jeremy packed his books, grabbed his lunch, and prepared to leave for the last time this morning, we took a moment to acknowledge just how weird this feels:

• Westminster has been the backdrop to our entire relationship: from friends to dating to engagement to marriage to parenthood, Jeremy has been a WTS student.
• School is our life-rhythm: fall semester, Christmas break, January term, spring semester, summer break, fall semester, Christmas break... what will life be like without it? 
• The end of seminary means we're moving: we won't be the PhillyPowells anymore. We started out as footloose and fancy-free newlyweds here; it feels like we're leaving some of our youth behind.
• Some really hard things are over: marriage, a new baby, living away from family support, and a rigorous academic schedule haven't always mixed well. 
• Some hard and great things are ahead: it's time to shake life up again. It's time for new beginnings and different challenges.

On July 1, Jeremy will begin anew as Associate Pastor at First Congregational Church in Middleboro, Massachusetts. The congregation created this pastoral position and is calling Jeremy home to serve among our childhood friends, family and neighbors for the next 2 years.

We love First Congregational and its people. We (and Jeremy especially) are excited to use what God has taught us, strengthened us with, and prepared us for over the past 4 academic years. Even last night, Jeremy said it was hard to study because each lesson he imagined pouring back out to our brothers and sisters in Middleboro.

We're humble, though, and nervous... and sometimes even anxious. What will it be like? What will people think of us? Will we do a good job? What happens to childhood and family relationships when you suddenly become the Associate Pastor / Associate Pastor's family?

God has been so faithful to us. "Great is Thy Faithfulness," O Lord and we totally trust You, O God, to care for us totally in the next chapter of our lives. 

One of my favorite versions of "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" sung by Fernando Ortega: