Sleeplessness

Since moving to Watertown, I have yet to have a solid eight hours of sleep. Typically I wake up around 4 am for about a half-hour to forty-five minutes before I can doze off again, but usually wake up and doze off at 15 minute intervals before getting up at 6 am or so. This is frustrating to say the least. I am hesitant to take Tylenol PM or something like that, as I have many relatives that are addicted to medications, so I try to limit any type of medication for any and all reasons.

I believe that one possible reason for the sleeplessness is that I do not have my bride with me. I miss Cindy so much. I am praying that she will be in Watertown permanently by mid April; at least that is the game plan. Another possible reason could be our finances. Money is stretched very tight. Trying to keep up with two households is killing us. Please pray with us that our home in Boone sells quickly. $945 every month for mortgage, plus $550 for rent, and then add utilities in both houses is a real killer!

I have not been working out at the Y since I moved here two months ago. I think that getting back into the swing of that will help with sleeping at night. I joined Snap Fitness here in Watertown and worked out for the first time this morning. I started slow with running one mile and lifting a few upper body weights. I’ll add more as the time increases.

I also need to be more diligent in my reading. I was averaging a boom a week for a long time, and now have been stuck on the same book (and it is a good one) for two months. I think a good routine will help with everything. Being in an office of my own will help with this as well…

I have been doing my devotions in the Gospels with 30 days with Jesus this month in preparation for Easter. This morning was the story of the Good Samaritan. I appreciated the reminder of who my true neighbor is. It is not always so obvious is it? Most on the outward side would have picked the priest or the Levite who were the best choices as friends, but it was the hated Samaritan who proved to be worthy.

Watertown

It is very interesting the first few weeks into a new church. It has been called a honeymoon time and truly there are some aspects of it that are like a honeymoon. You are getting to know each other. You don’t want to demand much or say anything that might be considered hurtful. Everything is new and fresh. You are beginning a new relationship together. With that though there are certain expectations that are set. The question is, ‘Will this person take care of me?’

I have now been the lead pastor in seven churches. None of the seven churches are alike. Each has had its own sets of obstacles that they were facing. This particular church has something going for it that we have never experienced in any of the churches. They had unity.

Don’t get me wrong, they have obstacles. They have no building. They had no office space. There was no parsonage. There was no savings to speak of. Leadership in the church had made some huge mistakes in the fourteen months or so that they were without a pastor. They also had quite a few spoons that were demanding an opportunity to stir the pot. All of these obstacles are tiny compared to what they had.

The church was meeting in the local City Hall on Sunday’s for worship. That was a convenient and easy worship location for the church. It did require massive efforts every week to get the facility ready for worship, and then to tear it all down and make it look better than it did when they entered it. They pulled this feat off week after week with no lead pastor. The church also maintained a ladies ministry, a youth ministry, a refreshment ministry, and a growing children’s ministry.

Today the church has a lead pastor…me. We have recently moved out of City Hall and temporarily into the high school. After Easter we will settle into the primary school auditorium. We have also rented a space in town for office. We have changed our name from Watermark (that name is copyrighted) and adopted the name, River’s Edge. Also, because of a generous grant, I am paid full-time at the church and do not have to work another full-time job…HALLELUJAH!

Game plan: Get to know the leadership of the church. Spend time gaining their trust and learning what makes them tick. I want to draw in new people who might be able to be a part of the ‘Advisory Committee.’ We want to make certain that Watertown knows that we are open for business. Prior to Easter Sunday we will have sent 5000 mailers to our community inviting them to church. Spring and summer will find us developing and organizing small groups. My plan is to have our structure in place by September and really kick off then.

Personal goals: I want to build relationships with my leaders and also a few pastors in the area. There are multiple C&MA churches that are at my back door and I have a good relationship with several of them prior to coming to Watertown. I also want to build three mentors into my life and be more than just ‘so-called’ mentors. I have the three men in mind and have formally asked one already. I also want to have three men that I am mentoring. I have one who has approached me and one that I want to continue with from Iowa. I plan to have lunch with the third next week.

Prayer requests: I am praying that our home in Iowa will sell quickly. I am praying that Cindy is able to join me soon in Minnesota. I am praying for Zach and Andrea and their family as they enter life without us in Boone. I am also praying for Josh as he is working hard at a new job and continues to court Katie. I am also praying for our finances as we try to keep two homes going at the same time. Last, I pray that I can draw close and stay close to God. I want to be dependent upon Him for everything. I know that if this church is going to grow and thrive that it will only happen by the power of our almighty God. I need Him now more than ever! I covet your prayers.

Still Alive

Today I find myself working from my lap in my living room in Watertown, MN. My wife is in Iowa trying to wrap things up there so she can come to be with me permanently in April. I feel like we are separated, but know that this is God's will for us at this time. She has been a great help to Zach and his family these past several weeks. Last night Cindy shared with me that she believes that this time has also been helpful for her to let go and truly want to move north.

I have lots of thoughts and dreams and aspirations as to why I would leave a growing church in Iowa to come to this work in Minnesota. I guess the bottom line is that I have seen what God can do when you walk away from what you feel comfortable with to do something that scares the snot out of you. I have zero desire to jump off of a cliff or wrestle with an alligator. This is different. This is following what you believe that God has instructed to do and following with full faith that He will catch you if you fall.

Church is far different today. No office. No church facility. No staff. No money. I do have God though. I believe that He is more than enough. I am banking my life on that. Next week I should be in an office. We will be meeting at the high school. I do have unpaid staff that work harder than most people who get paid to do the work. I am blessed.

I am pretty nervous about the future. I have a home to sell in Iowa. Money has never been so tight. I am 200 miles from my wife. Leaving Zach in Iowa is really tough. Josh is working 60 hours a week at a new job. Lots of stuff to think about. I must take consolation in that God is in control of everything.

By the way, I was 184 this morning on the bathroom scale!