The Year in Review
As we approach the end of 2022, I naturally am reflecting on this past year, a year that has included as much change as any in our family life.
The biggest change took place almost at the beginning of the year as we moved in January from Ontario to Nova Scotia. I had never thought of us living anywhere else other than Ontario and yet here we are in Nova Scotia.
The purpose of our move was for Amanda and I to begin as co-pastors at Brookfield Baptist Church. We had been wrestling with what it would look like for both of us to be in pastoral ministry and Brookfield was willing to allow us to share one position and to pastor together.
Transitioning from one congregation to another is a big enough change. But this included a transition across provinces. It also was the change from living in a mid-sized city to a small village. There was a lot of change in a small amount of time.
For me, this also include a change in my credentials as I switched my ordination from the Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec to the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada. I do feel very much at home within the CBAC.
Another big change for us was that both Amanda and I had our graduations from seminary. Amanda graduated from McMaster Divinity College with here Master of Theological Studies and I graduated from Acadia Divinity College with my Doctor of Ministry. Sadly, neither one of us attended our graduation ceremonies, even though we both planned to.
This past year was eventful in some unfortunate ways. Or daughter Emma and I were in an ATV accident, in which she broke her collar bone and I broke some ribs. A couple of days later, our son Justus crashed his dirt bike and broke his toe. A few weeks later, Amanda fell down the stairs and broke her toe and ankle. Within five weeks, four out of the five in our house had broken bones! This was why we had to miss our graduation ceremonies.
We had other issues as well. Amanda ended up getting COVOD-19. I had a flare of my sarcoidosis plus had an attack of severe lower back pain that put me out of commission. I sometimes feel as if our new congregation got far more than they bargained for.
In addition to everything else, I have continued my work in military chaplaincy. For the past few years I have been the chaplain with the Lincoln and Welland Regiment in Ontario. The plan was for a fairly quick transfer to a unit (or two) here in Nova Scotia.
That transfer, for numerous reasons has been delayed, but I have started serving with two units here: 3 Intelligence Company and 3 Military Police, while still supporting the LWR as I am able. I have very much enjoyed my work as a chaplain and am thankful for the opportunity.
When we moved to Brookfield, we did not purchase a house but rather moved into the parsonage that is administered by the church. While we have appreciated this, we also wanted to make sure we were not out of the housing market for too long. Thankfully, we achieved our dream of purchasing a cottage. While we have not been able to be there as often as we would like, we are thankful for this blessing.
One of the biggest shocks to living in Atlantic Canada was the weather. Specifically experiencing a hurricane. We got hit pretty hard by Hurricane Fiona, although it could have been much worse. The tree that took down our power lines could have easily crashed into the house. We were without power for two weeks, which was definitely a challenge.
There is no way we could define 2022 as uneventful. We have had some amazing experiences and some extremely difficult trials. There are things that I am not sharing, both for good and for bad, that were part of this past year.
Amanda and I looked back and reflected on our decision to move to Nova Scotia. Did we do the right thing? While we have had some major challenges, we are confident that we are in the right place.
Life is not easy and we do not expect 2023 to be smooth sailing every day. But we are glad we are here and we are going to do what we can to make this a less eventful year. One of my New Year’s resolutions is NO BROKEN BONES!
For those who support us in prayer and encouragement, we thank you. It is much appreciated.
