Turn the Page

If you're one of the many readers here who frequent my husband's page as well as my own, then it isn't news to you that -- barring any unforeseen changes -- our church family will gather on the afternoon of December 31 to celebrate her eighth anniversary... and her last official gathering.

Am I glad, you ask? Or grieving? Or perhaps relieved? To be honest, the answer is... yes.

In the past eight years with our church family, we've seen some incredible things take place, and we've welcomed in -- and later, blessed and  sent out -- some really incredible people who have gone on to seminary, or to  mission and pastoring work, or to impart what God showed them to other church families. We've done it many times over the years, and we've done it gladly. Sure, it made for victories that were damn near impossible to quantify on any standard denominational "progress report,"  but if our goal was to look good on paper, we'd have done a LOT of things differently.

The past eight years of pastoring have been a considerable strain on our marriage (which began seven years ago, in the throes  of birthing the new community), and if I want to be fair, I'll say Mr. Nygren and I own a lot of the responsibility for that. Even our honeymoon turned into a mission trip, and except for the four Sundays we took off after the birth of our son, we've never taken a real break.  As I've grown fond of telling people lately, though, graveyards are filled with indispensable people. I've come to terms with the fact that I grossly overestimated my significance in the equation. Or, to quote David Lee Roth and put it in far simpler terms, "Life goes on without me."

...and so it will, because after this we're taking a [minimum] six-month sabbatical from ministry. We will, I'm certain, find ourselves sorely tempted to jump back into the thick of things, and... for the sake of our marriage, our family and our collective sanity, we just can't.

 The summer before my senior year, I got thrown from a barnsour nag and broke my hip. I spent a while in a wheelchair, treating the injury gently, but not as long as I should have. It was my last year with the wrestling team, among other things, and it simply wouldn't do to miss out all the important stuff while I healed up. So I hurried out of the recovery process and got on with my year... to my detriment. My hip apparently didn't stay lined up properly as it healed, and sometimes it still >clicks< when I've been out walking for a while.
I've learned my lesson. 

I may take a blogfast at some point in the near future too, but I'll let you know before it happens. Meanwhile, we have houseguests on their way -- our fabulous guitar-playing buddy Trace and his wife Becca -- so I have to go finish making the guest room ready. You should go here and watch this video of him playing "Hot Capo Stew."

Ciao. 

Comments

[Melissa Wood]

I hope this is okay, but we are actually planning on being at Mars Hill on that last Sunday.

As for its ministry to us, Mars Hill Church has been invaluable. I cannnot even number the times Rick has used Mars Hill in a sermon illustration...in a positive way :-)

We, ourselves, would in NO WAY be where we are in ministry if it had not been for God's use of you and the church body of Mars Hill Church...and we were only there for 10 months. Undoubtedly, God used and will continue to use you guys in an extremely impactful way.

You, Kelly, are still one of the ONLY ministry wives I truly feel confident coming to for advice and counsel. While you many be taking a "ministry break", I'm believing that won't be 100% possible. Because every day you guys live your lives, you are living ministry to so many friends and family. Your exuding of Christ in your day to day will continue to minister, with or without the break.

You are so loved!

[Erin-erin-bo-berin]

I know we just spoke of this, but I forgot to let you know that I am so blessed to have you as my sister AND a shoulder to cry on. I agree with Mrs. Wood that you DO exude Christ's spirit, and thus you are ministering to others, even while taking a sabbatical. I love you and I am blessed to call you friend. :)

[mrs. nygren]

Mel,
your presence is not only 'okay' but requested at the last gathering. It would mean a lot to both of us, and me in particular.

And, a wise woman who's been speaking into my life lately listened to me patiently as I told her I was quitting ministry. She smiled and replied, "If that's what you need to tell yourself right now."

Thanks to both of you for the encouragement.

There will be another entry about the sabbatical and me-- probably not before sometime next week, though. It's going to be a long one and I don't want my houseguests to think I'm not coming out until they leave. :)

[Julie]

Sweet, cool Kelly--I am hugging you in my prayers. Would love to do so in person. Let us know the best ways we can be of support to you and Justin during this page-turning.