It's always amazing to reflect back over a year and see where you've been, what you've accomplished, and where God has had his hand. I decided to post this as a timeline of our 2007 year-in-review to show just how much we've managed to squeeze into 12 months.
January - Todd begins final semester at Truett and begins Mentoring in Ministry component of graduation requirement. Begins talking with churches in Kentucky, Illinois and Tennessee. Jenny back to work teaching Kindergarten in Waco.
February - Todd and Jenny fly to St. Louis and on to Alton, Illinois for a weekend interview for the position of minister to youth and children. Three days of those people, and it was clear that we were not moving to Illinois any time soon. Todd interviews with FBC Jacksonville, TX. Todd tells church in KY that he is not interested.
March - Todd interviews with church in TN, and had phone interviews with churches in Austin TX, Atlanta GA, McKinney TX, and Louisville KY. Todd and Jenny go home to Arkansas for Spring Break. Todd and Jenny find out they are pregnant...WOO HOO!
April - Todd interviews with church in Austin and McKinney. Turns down McKinney church. Todd and Jenny have a White Easter in Waco. Seriously. Todd and Jenny start thinking that they probably aren't going to have a difinitive answer to "Where will we be after graduation" before graduation. Todd and Jenny fly to TN for a weekend of interviews with the church there. Feel pretty sure they are headed to TN.
May - Todd and Jenny decide the church in Tennessee isn't the right fit for them. Decline further interviews with church there. Jenny diagnosed with miscarriage in first pregnancy. God surrounds us with friends and family members who have been through the same process, and we are sustained by their encouragement. Todd contacted again by church in McKinney. Jenny turns 27, and Todd graduates from Truett, WOO HOO! Todd and Jenny have no idea where life is leading them, but feel that they are being called away from Waco. Todd and Jenny pack up house and classroom and move it into two 10x20 storage units.
June - Todd, Jenny, Bailey, and Annabelle move home for the summer. Spend the next several weeks lounging by the pool. Sometime in the end of this month, the miracle of life begins again. Todd and Jenny contacted by church in Dallas. Flown into/out of Dallas for interview. Really jazzed about the possibility!
July - Todd and Jenny turned down for Dallas church...bummer! Todd very sad and feeling like he has wasted three years of his life on a degree he has no experience to use...Todd and Jenny find out they are pregnant again! Yea! But Todd and Jenny have no jobs...boo! Jenny begins applying for teaching positions in Little Rock and Jonesboro. Offered Kindergarten job in Little Rock. Todd and Jenny find a great house to rent in a great area. Things are looking up!
August - Todd and Jenny go to Waco for two missions; first: OB appt. and Ultrasound...congrats...there's a heartbeat!...second: load up contents of two 10x20 storage units. Note to self: 27 foot truck not big enough. Some items left with friends for future garage sale. Jenny and Todd move into house in Little Rock. Jenny's classroom is set up and school year begins. Morning sickness at full force. Todd just about to start working towards medical sales jobe when WHAM, church in neighborhood pops onto radar.
September - all is well with Baby at 14 week Dr. visit (still in Waco). Todd has been offered the position of Full Time Minister to Children at Calvary Baptist Church, Little Rock. Todd accepts (with much excitement!!!). Todd learns that although the living room seems like a good place to asseble a crib, the crib doesn't exactly fit through hallways once assembled.
October - Todd turns 29, Calvary Baptist calls Todd as Minister to Children with a HUGE majority vote, and we find out the best news of all...IT'S A BOY!!!!!! After 6 kids, fourteen grandkids, 21 great grankids, and one great-great grandkid, the Bunch name lives on...Benjamin John arriving in the spring of 08.
November - Slight scare early in the month...possibility of placental/umbilical cord problem. Begin visits with high-risk OB. Todd busy at work...Jenny busy with Kindergarten class, Thanksgiving spent in Little Rock and Jonesboro and for the first time since they were engaged, Todd and Jenny sat in their own living room and watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
December - lots of excitement...Christmas is in the air, and we're home with family to celebrate it for the first time since we were engaged. Todd and Jenny make annual run to Dallas for the Symphony. Todd licensed to ministry. Jenny's previas ruled out...looks like it will be a normal delivery at this point. Todd and Jenny spend Christmas with both families without spending 10 hours in the car!
At this point, I'm sure we have left something out. But it has been a busy year. We have seen friends blessed with new babies and new marriages, we have made new friends and extended families with our new jobs, and we have leaned on each other throughout the whole process.
I look forward to what the year brings in our life, and in the lives of those we know and love.
Happy New Year.
4 comments:
I love the timeline! What a year you two have had! I'm so glad everything has worked out just perfectly...how God knew it would all along!
Josh and I will be in LR probably sometime in the next couple of weeks. I have a feeling he'll have an interview down there. I'll let you know if and when we make it!
This was a very cool idea, I love the timeline. In fact... I might steal the idea here in the next week or so. :) I'm glad things are going well with Benjamin to date. Are you in the third tri yet? It can be a rough ride, but it's good to know that the time is getting close. :)
yay-you have a blog! we were in your neighborhood with kim and steve the other day! Glad things are well!
Rebecca Atcherson
zellmerfud.blogspot.com
Wow, y'all did have a year of change!! I am happy that the year has ended well, and 2008 is off to a good start! Take care
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