"We plan life looking forward and experience it looking backward."  Kierkegaard

This week has given me pause to plan on what's coming up next - I got our U-haul trailer rented for an end of July move to Saint Louis, got several speaking engagements for the summer on the calendar, and got a checklist of things we must do at minimum six months before departure for Botswana.  Doing a lot of planning right now - looking forward.

This week also gave me pause to look back - to recall fondly my experiences as Associate/Administrative Pastor at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Kettering OH - to feel joy at changes that I got to see in people's lives - to feel satisfaction about things that I had a hand in starting or facilitating - to feel a feeling I don't know how to name about things that were unrealized opportunities.  On Tuesday, Emmanuel received a new associate pastor at the seminary call day - another Richard - Richard Schneider and his wife and children.  Here's hoping they get to experience joy at the moving of the Holy Spirit among His people and satisfaction over battles fought and victories claimed for the Lord - here's hoping they experience the great joy of working with great staff and awesome people united around a common mission. 

Right now, like us, they're looking ahead - planning.  Join our family in prayer for theirs as they plan and do the logistics and set up in the Kettering community.  We also ask for your prayers as we plan and move - both to St Louis and ultimately Botswana. 

God bless!