oTime marches on slowly . . . at least in some ways it seems so. We apologize for not more updates on this blog, but things take time. That seems to be one thing we have an abundance of right now. We were delighted to be able to spend the better parts of two weeks helping Sherah-Leigh and BJ prepare their new home in Apple Creek. We painted, cleaned, scrubbed, installed fixtures, made curtains and generally had a great time. We are happy to report that they are moved in and enjoying their new home. We are also thankful that they have received and accepted an offer on their Virgina property. They are signing papers today for the closing this week. We praise God for that answer to prayer.

Miriam and I were blessed to be invited to share a week with friends in Florida. They had an extra room and offered it to us. What a wonderful time we had. On our way home we stopped in Harrisonburg to spend the weekend with Maria. She had a Friday evening Jazz concert and we attended worship with her at Harrisonburg Mennonite where she was leading her children's choir (a dozen 3-5 year olds) in the service. It was delightful.

We were home for a week when Maria came home for her spring break. It was great fun having her around. The week went by too quickly. She had a ride to Apple Creek and so we made a trip to pick her up and another to take her back to catch her ride back. Both times we made it an overnight visit with Sherah-Leigh and BJ. What a delight to have them so close.

On Tuesday, March 10 we will be driving to PA. Miriam's aunt, Esther Keener, passed away this week and the funeral is on Wednesday. So we will be spending some time with Miriam's extended family.

Of course many of you have been praying and wondering where this wilderness is leading. Let me give you an update. I have indicated that we had a number of leads and have been engaged in some conversations about possible future involvements. Yesterday, March 8, the search committee made our names public as candidates for pastoral leadership at the Oak Grove Mennonite Church near Smithville, Ohio. I will preach on Sunday, March 29, as part of a candidating weekend. The members of the congregation will vote on the first Sunday of April regarding extending us a call.

There are some pretty amazing pieces to this journey. First, let me say that we did not seek this position. A few days after we withdrew from the Nigeria assignment, the search committee made an inquiry about our availability. It came as the first of three inquires that we did not seek. So we started taking small steps in this direction.

Let me be quick to say that this new journey has connection points. A biblical story that has been very helpful to Miriam and I through the wilderness of these past two months has been the Abraham and Isaac story. You no doubt recall how Abraham understood God asking him to take Isaac to Mt. Moriah and offer him as a sacrifice. You will also recall that at the moment of readiness to make the sacrifice, God shouted, "Stop," and provided a ram in the bushes as an alternative.

Some of you have heard me say that Miriam and I felt God calling us to Nigeria and it seemed over the last six months that we put everything we had on the altar. In mid-January with our bags packed and our household goods in storage boxes we believe we heard God shout, "STOP." And we stopped. What I have added to that story is that for sometime I have been looking for the ram in the bushes.

The gift of God's provision has come in an unusual way. While I was in conversation with the Oak Grove search committee regarding their interest in me for their advertised pastoral position they inquired whether Miriam was also available. They were interested in us as a team!
This request was the ram in the bushes for me. So we are making ourselves available to see if we will receive a call to serve the Oak Grove congregation.

As always, your continuing prayers are appreciated.