First, from the entire Dill family, we wish to express our gratitude for all the support over the years and especially at the “Deportation” party in December. My last service as your Deacon was December 24th-25th. Obviously you all are in good hands with Pastor Ben, Deacon Glen and the entire elder board. Each of them are very deeply committed to each of you and for the life of Trinity Lutheran.
I am filled with some very mixed emotions as 5 years has come to an end but at the same time a new beginning has started. If it had not been for the wonderful support of the members of Trinity, YOU, this would not be possible. My family and I have been welcomed openly, as you do everyone that comes to Trinity. I write this on Christmas day and last night was so wonderful to see so many of you there. On one hand I am very sad to be leaving, on the other, very excited. All along knowing that none of this would be possible without each of you allowing the Spirit guide you in my path. Although you may have not been aware and neither was I at times aware of plan, God has always been aware.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 ESV. These words have been a cornerstone to this faith walk of going to seminary. To know that God has a plan, I may not know the plans, but God does and the plans are for my good and not for evil and all of this is for my future and will include hope. Wow, these are some powerful words when stepping out of the boat. Of course, I also lean back upon, “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” Deuteronomy 29:29. The plans may not have been fully revealed yet but when God reveals the plan, it belongs to us and our children.
Packing and moving is a stressful time. No matter how much or little help you may have. Even if you hire someone, you worry over how they will handle your belongings. Now let’s mix in loosing a house, job, down sizing the home and move around the holidays. We made two trips so far to Wartburg. On the second trip there was about 12 people there to help unload. This really helped. As I told people where to bring things, Travis helped move and direct in the house. We spent much of the rest of the day unpacking and organizing the house. On December 27th, we take the final load and the Muellers have volunteered to drive down from Platteville WI just to help us move in. My brother in-law is with family in Iowa and will also meet us in Dubuque. Between family, friends, fellow students and members of the congregation, this should go very fast.
Just to catch you all up on a few loose ends:
Kris is still interviewing for a customer service job in Dubuque.
Kris at this point will be living in South Elgin with her brother.
Becky will be moving to Dubuque at the end of her semester, January 12th.
Travis is signed up for college classes in Iowa.
I will be taking a class in Milwaukee from January 6th through the 17th.
My first official day of Spring semester is January 30th.
We are still trying to work with the bank on the details on the short sale of the house in Elburn. So far they still want me to make some significant payments for the next three years. Our lawyer has given our objections to the bank and we are waiting to hear back.
As we get any updates we will let you know. For more up to date status information, please check out my blog at http://messy-spirituality.blogspot.com Also look for updates from Kris as a spouse’s perspective of Seminary. We will be posting pictures on the Trinity Facebook site and links to our family site in the near future.