Wow, it has been a while

Wow, it certainly has been a while since I have last updated this.  A lot has happened since my last post.  I have made it through the Parish Discernment group, in which it was recommended that I continue my discernment.  Our vestry gave their 100% approval.  I have met with Bishop Ohl, in which he also approved of my continuing discernment.  Now the fun part begins, I am meeting with a Psychologist, to see if I am mentally fit for a career in ministry.  As well as meeting with my Physician, to see if I am physically fit for a career in ministry.  After this, I will move on to meet with the Commission on Ministry.  I was a bit nervous about this, since these are people I do not go to church with, and they do not know me personally.  However, come to find out I do know a couple of people on the commission.  So there are some friendly faces.  But in the end, God will lead us and show us his desires.  I am hoping to be through the commission and move on to the next chapter of my discernment journey by November.  That next chapter, if approved by the commission and the Bishop, I will be named a Postulant for Holy Orders.  That means I would be approved for study at Seminary.  I will begin searching for Seminaries, which I have 4 main seminaries I am looking at.  I will also begin participating more in the service at church, like preaching, leading parts of the service that a Lay person can lead, taking a more active role at the alter during the Holy Eucharist, etc.  I will also be preparing myself and my family for a move to another city.  My journey so far has been fun, and a little stressful, but I have had tremendous support, from family, freinds, as well as my wonderful church family. But it is not even close to being over.  In fact, it will go on even after Ordination.  We all are discerning something, and we all must answer our own call from God in some way.  That call never stops, even if it is a small call to help feed the poor on a particular day, God always calls us to do his work.  We must listen to what God is calling us to do, and act on that call.  I will make an effort to update this more in the coming year, as this is where things really start moving.

God Bless