I would love to say that all of the moving boxes are unpacked. But that would not be true. Many of them are, and we have settled into our new home nicely. In fact, it truly does feel like home to all of us.
There's more to do. All of the paintings are still in boxes. Awaiting our decision about what will go where. Even so, big things like getting new Florida driver's licenses and car registrations have been checked off the "to-do" list.
I will not bore you with the trials of the move. We were totally dissatisfied by the experience. Long delays and poor communication from the moving company were only part of the problem. I have never had such a frustrating move - and we are glad to turn the page on that chapter.
We love being back near family. Which was our eventual intention all along when we went to serve wonderful Shadyside. As I have said before, I thought there might be another interim or two up there in Western Pennsylvania, but as that was not materializing, we fast forwarded our return to the Sunshine State, helped considerably by finding our new house on a Friday morning and buying it by that same Monday afternoon, without ever even setting foot in it.
Our family was a big help in that regard. They checked it out in person and gave it their thumbs up. Our impression that it would suit us very well has been bourn out in living here.
We were in the house two full weeks before the furniture arrived. That gave Judy and me plenty of time to paint every room that needed painted - some of the before colors were truly insistent and not in a good way. Think Masters Tournament Jacket Green, Construction Cone Orange, and Heinz Ketchup Red. So when at last the movers appeared, they had been neutralized and we were ready.
Having the kids and grandkids only a few miles away brings us back to how we lived before the Pennsylvania sojourn. We can get together intentionally or impromptu whenever we wish, and could almost walk to each other's houses. So we are enjoying family night dinners, overnights from the granddaughters, dominoes nights where Mimi is continuing her unbroken winning streak, and so forth, on a weekly basis.
Mimi is back to Wekiva and loving seeing her friends of 15 plus years. As well as worshiping with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. We are being good Presbyterian pastor and spouse by giving the new pastor there plenty of space to get to know the congregation. Mom gets asked by many people, each Sunday, "When are John and Judy coming back?" As those of you in the know know, ministers who have concluded their time at a church are to keep their distance, so that the congregation does not inadvertently go to him for pastoral needs.
We have worshiped with Wekiva remotely and are so thrilled for the church that in Pastor Oscar they have found a fabulous new spiritual leader. He is truly a blessing to them, and I know that many of the members will be a blessing to him as well.
You may be surprised, as I was, that I continue to be asked, "What are you doing in retirement?" which is a fair question. I looked up retirement in the dictionary and from what I can glean there, retirement is "leaving one's job and ceasing to work". Well, the first part is true. After two absolutely wonderful years as the interim senior minster at Shadyside, and 40 years of full time ordained ministry, I am officially "Honorably Retired" as the PC(USA) says. And the second is sort of true (although moving is a lot of work, believe me). For now, I am enjoying doing the things that need doing to make the house a home, reconnecting with Florida friends, expanding my attention to my vintage watch collecting, hymn writing, architecture history research, and so forth. I already have a preaching invitation on the calendar for May - at the Alumni Days at Lancaster Theological Seminary. I may very well decide to do some minister type things with one church or another here, since I do love doing them; but that is yet to come.
I also keep aware of doings of the other churches I love. I am looking forward to hearing about Austin Crenshaw Shelly's beginnings at Shadyside at the end of September. I am quite pleased that one former associate with whom I worked there, Todd, is off to a senior ministry position in upstate New York. (I can almost hear that song, "Shuffle Off to Buffalo...") and wish his family well. 'Glad to know that associate pastor Lynn has reduced her hours to part time as she segues toward retirement. I am delighted that Pittsburgh Seminary's preaching professor, Dr. Roger Owens, will be the temporary minister at Fox Chapel Presbyterian - he is truly one of the outstanding preachers of our generation - and if you are within driving distance you should go to hear him (and if not, worship remotely). You will be blessed.
What else is new? Just about everything. And we feel so very blessed. God's unfolding plan keeps surprising us in good ways.
"Well, there's lots more to tell but my tail is too long already", as Hattie Wainwright the Church Mouse used to say in the Wekiva "Glad Tidings".
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