[In September of 2023, I came across an old journal of mine from when I first moved to Brownstown, Indiana to begin my second youth ministry position. It's interesting to read how I waffled from inspiration to discouragement and back again.]
7 Sunday - Congregational Vote @ Brownstown. 100% acceptance
10 Wednesday - Farewell Fellowship Meal @ Cedar Creek
12 Friday - Moving Day: Bob Link drove his truck. I can't really say how many people helped us get moved into the house! I just kept chucking the stuff out of the truck, and they kept carrying it into the house (usually the basement). Debbie got curtains up before we went to bed. Chili supper @ the church for all the movers.
13 Saturday - Unpack, unpack, unpack
15 Monday - Got the girls into Brownstown Elementary. Opened checking & savings accounts @ People's Bank. And in the office...unpack, unpack, unpack. I wonder how long it will take to learn how things operate around here? * KD, secretary, is very helpful. GM, preacher, wasn't in the office all day. Does he really want me here? Lord, defeat these feelings of disappointment and distrust within me RE GM. Brownstown obviously needs some spark, and I really think they want it, too! "Let your light so shine before men..."
16 Tuesday - Yes, I do have a problem with church leaders (elders) not coming to Sun. PM worship. Lord, help me not to be judgmental, but an optimistic, upbeat, positive spark in the life of BCC!
17 Wednesday - Went home 2:30ish and laid down.
18 Thursday - Spent my first day off with a version of the flu that made me achey in the head and back with no appetite, etc. Felt okay by evening.
19 Friday-21 Sunday - What a weekend! We rushed Kelly to the hospital in Seymour Friday morning so Dr. Gallagher could do a spinal tap to check for meningitis...negative. Kelly has been in the hospital ever since though, getting re-hydrated through IV and working through whatever viral infection she has that's causing the fever. * The church people are really being great through all this. So many offers of help with the kids, laundry, sitting with Kelly...whatever. They want to be used! * Lord, help me to keep it all together. And strengthen Debbie to do that, too. And may I somehow start getting things moving as far as the church is concerned, too?
22 Monday - Kelly's IV may come out tomorrow morning, and then they'll keep her for 24 hours to ensure her temp will stay put. * What did I accomplish today? Ate too much at a ministers' breakfast. Found some Plasti-tac squirreled away in the corner of a closet in the church building. Put up the rest of my wall things in the office. Started sorting through the paper stuff from my briefcases and the move, etc. Debbie, I miss you!
23 Tuesday - Life sure would be hard w/o Debbie. Yeah, I'd get used to it and be able to work out a routine and rhythm for getting all the "stuff" of life accomplished, but Curtis & Kelly would be raised by someone who's paid to do it, and Angel & Shonda would have to become much older than their years much faster than they ought. And I would be a lonesome man w/o much reason to do anything.
24 Wednesday - Brought Kelly home from the hospital today! Shonda stayed home from school, but she'll be fine tomorrow. * Did the community storywriting thing tonight in Youth Hour. Went over GREAT!
25 Thursday - Am I devoted to doing youth ministry here for a while? Or am I here because it was the thing that came along? Lord, destroy these seeds of doubt and let me attack Brownstown with your Holy Fury, bringing the forces of Satan to their trembling, apathetic knees!
26 Friday-28 Sunday - Winter Weekend @ CBC $27. Really good weekend with Penny, Lori, Scott, Justin, and Joe. Adult sponsors: John Spurgeon & Barbie Gaiter
29 Monday - Experienced my first board meeting tonight. A lot of committees aren't doing anything. And there was a lot of discussion about a "non-proposal" by the elders RE new structure for church leadership. No decision. * Debbie is talking to her mom on the phone right now (9:26 pm) Blah, blah, blah... * Moses (our new puppy) almost got given back this morning, but it looks like Curtis & Kelly are going to warm up to him after all, and he may actually get housebroken and flea-freed.
30 Tuesday - Major flu day for Debbie. You know, I am so lucky/blessed to have a job that's flexible enough to let me help at home at times like these. * Today, the "stuff" started to come to light. Expectations started to surface. Personality conflicts among the members are showing up. Lord help me live up to Your expectations and to be a peacemaker and initiator of dreams...
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