MomminginMinistry

Yesterday I did my last Trunk or Treat with Journey of Grace. Tonight I did my first Trunk or Treat at the Table. They ran out of hot dogs (which is good...it means we had a great turn out) so I got in my car at the end and headed to Arby's. On the way to Arby's I listened to a radio show where two licensed counselors discussed the mental health of pastors, and the difficulties they've faced especially these past few years. None of it was news to me. I'm not a lead pastor but I hold a district license and know and spend time with a LOT of pastors.  I know every occupation has it's hazards. Any job has difficult days, stress, and challenges. But here's what I don't think people outside of the ministry realize...everything is personal. Maybe it shouldn't be but it is, or at least feels like it. Work/Home life balance isn't usually a thing. A pastor's entire life is a big tangled bowl of spaghetti, with absolutely everything "touching." Fr...

 I had the huge honor of representing my mom, my siblings, their spouses, and my nices, nephews, great nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins, by delivering dad's eulogy yesterday at his memorial service.  For those who were not able to attend, and for my own future memories, I will share it here. I know that a typical eulogy includes a lot of numbers and dates, but we believe our dad just wasn’t typical and I am not good with numbers and dates. So instead, I’d like to tell you the story of my daddy. Gary was born on December 20 th , 1937, on his family’s farm in Durham, Kansas. He is the son of Henry and Anna Kaiser and little brother by a lot to Marvin and Virgil. After high school graduation, daddy served in the U.S. Army and then Army Reserves from 1958-1962. I don’t remember him talking a lot about this part of his life. No particular reason. He didn’t serve during war time or anything like that. But, it was just like him not to talk a lot about himself. How...

 TRIGGER WARNING: This is a very specific post about my dad's last days on earth. It might not be for everyone. Maybe these stories are best left private. Maybe they aren't. But this blog is for who it is for. My daddy died one week ago today at 5:35 a.m. When asked how I'm doing, my response is usually, "I could not have asked for God to write him a more beautiful ending." When I say this it is not my attempt at sounding more spiritual or strong. And, this does not mean that I feel God owed us that. We did not earn this story. My dad did not earn this. He was not more "good" or loved by God than the next daddy. I'm also not a "name it and claim it" kind of Christian, although the story I am about to tell might seem that way. What I do believe though, is that God's involvement in our lives is real, and that each and every one of us have glimpses every day of his goodness and divine providence. And I am compelled by the words of Psalm 34...