It’s been a year…
Today is, as we say in clergy-speak, my “ordiversary.” 18 years ago I was ordained to the ministry of the Gospel. Ten years after I was Called and had been working in churches in various capacities, I finally jumped through all the remaining hoops and red tape, and pressed on to what I was supposed to be doing with the rest of my life.
It was not without trepidation. I was a wife, mom of two daughters still in school, and was now a third-career pastor. I remember a mentor saying to me, “If you can do anything else and be content, go do it! And if not, give God your unqualified YES!” So I did.
YES to learning and not always understanding.
YES to serving but not necessarily where I expected.
YES to a “Follow Me” Call that has been amazing and wonderful and tearful.
And YES to the hardest thing I have ever loved to do.
I spent time today reflecting on the last several years. They were HARD. In 2022-2023, I walked with my husband through his cancer diagnosis and treatment of metastatic cancer, and then my own diagnosis of endometrial cancer six months later. My cancer was found early, and I’m still NED (No Evidence of Disease) three years post-treatment, but like any cancer survivor, there are health issues that show up now and then.
I remembered learning what “life” was going to be like after Ken died. I had support from family who love me. I had a church and pastor friends who “got it” and were rock stars. Bereavement had some pretty rough days… I’ll be honest and say that I stumbled through it. But it was the impetus that led me to find personal training again, but this time not at a big box gym. I found HUM.N, a gym with a small group coaching setting, where I got back to recovering strength and flexibility in my body. Thanks to Coach Nick, I went from being tentative about doing workouts to giving it my whole hearted commitment! And I discovered I LOVED lifting! I have a long ways to go, but it feels good to watch my progress and see the hard work pay off.
The summer of 2025 I traveled to Europe for a knitting cruise which was a respite from the sorting and packing game that felt like it would never end! In December 2025, I retired from my last position in pastoral care. I loved those folks and that church. I had decided previously when I retired that I would move closer to one of my daughters to “age in place”. Leaving my friends, my church, my coach, and my home of 30 years was hard. Had I not been confident it was the right thing to do, I don’t think I could have agreed to do it.
Now, a month into living in the Minneapolis area, I am finding ways to be involved in my community. I have casually started looking for a church… (and y’all… I’m sorry but some of your on-line services do not entice me to drop by. IYKYK…) I will not settle for a church that is not wholly committed to showing the Love of God to ALL people. I know I’ll find one… but I’m not rushing into it. I may yet “fail retirement” but I’m not telling God what to do. (Did that 5,000+ times already — BAD idea!!!)
There’s a lot that’s unknown in the next year. I am finding new “ologists” and “ists” which is going OK. I have a new gym and a new coach. I have a lovely condo that overlooks trees and has stunning sunsets, night after night. I have a pile of empty boxes, and plenty to do as I settle in. I have a feline overlord who continues to “snoopervise” whatever I’m doing. (Yes, he got in the linen closet, and no, he is not supposed to be there!)
So all this to say, “it’s been a year.” And thank you for reading, praying and being a part of all of this. Love you all to the moon and back!
Deb
P.S. Check out the sunsets from the balcony of my Little Condo on the Prairie.
An Unfinished Symphony 