Vicissitudes

That I'd share my newsletter article for September...Anybody else get words stuck in their heads or is it just me? Ok. I know I'm a goofball...

Vicissitudes. I can remember studying vocabulary words in high school, and the word vicissitude for some reason has stuck in my brain. I don’t know why. Maybe it sounds funny. Maybe it doesn’t even sound like a real word. When I was teaching English at North Davidson High School (which seems like a lifetime ago), I remember including this long, strange word in vocabulary lists and being met with strange, long looks from students…Is that word for real?

For some reason, I thought of this word again this week. Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines vicissitude as: “the quality or state of being changeable; mutability; a fluctuation of state or condition.” Hmmm… Now it makes sense! The quality or state of being changeable… This sounds a lot like the Helsabeck household in recent months. After all, we have had to deal with several situations and changes in circumstances that have been out of our control.

We have been involved in a major renovation at the parsonage that has yielded a beautiful, spacious, and multi-functional addition and rearrangement of existing rooms. After the months of construction and dust and moving, we are in and we love it. (Many thanks to Centenary UMC and Jones Family Builders!)

Susan has had to cope with losing a job and closing down a day care center. It was extremely stressful as she grieved, hugged, and supported many employees and children and parents as one by one they left the center to find other employment or other day care arrangements. We have been overwhelmed by the leap of faith our church has taken by hiring Susan as Centenary’s Director of Spiritual Formation. An upstairs room in the church has been transformed into Susan’s office and work space, and we eagerly anticipate what God has in store for Susan in this new position and what God will do in our church. So, because of these changes, perhaps that is why vicissitude popped into my head again.

But then again, the greatest change has come outside our house being renovated and Susan’s changing employment. Elizabeth started kindergarten at Mt. Ulla Elementary! For five years, Susan has never been more than a hundred yards away from Elizabeth almost every day. And now, she will be under the tutelage of teachers and staff at Mt. Ulla Elementary School, which we celebrate! The time has come for this new stage of life for Elizabeth, and we know she will thrive as she learns new lessons and has wonderful new experiences.

Change is inevitable. In this dynamic world we live in, nature changes with the seasons. Plants grow, they bloom, and they eventually fade away or become dormant. The turning of the earth brings the passage of time and with it many changes in our bodies as we age. I believe God intended for things to be this way. God resists stagnancy and complacency. Sometimes we want things to remain the same. We want to hold on to that memory of the little child who reaches up to us in complete dependence and utter joy. But she grows. We grow. We all have. The vicissitudes of life ebb and flow and sometimes we don’t know the direction. But God knows. Throughout the inescapable changes we face, God is constant, even in his dynamism. God keeps his promises, even though we may see uncertainty. Regardless of the changes we face, God guides us and assures us of his grace and love and presence. That is faith. We may not know the outcome as we face the constant changes and uncertainties of our daily lives, but God is there. It is in the evidence of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. He has promised to be with us always. Don’t let the vicissitudes challenge your faith. Let them lead you to a deeper trust in God.


Laugh, live, and celebrate God’s love,
Oliver

Where have I been?

Well...

I didn't forget that I have a blog. I didn't forget my password, although that would be an excellent excuse. I don't have a lot of excuses, other than to say that blogging has not been at the top of my priority list!

This summer, we have finished renovations on the parsonage. We added a master suite with master bedroom, master bath, walk-in closet, another new bath for the hallway, and we moved the washer/dryer to the new addition (which we love!) We also moved Elizabeth into our old room, moved the guest room, and created a "play room" for Elizabeth (and for Susan to scrapbook in!) There were windows and doors to "patch" and rooms to paint, and we are so appreciative to the church for this addition. But we are glad that all of the construction and moving is over!

Susan has started a new job! With me. Hopefully she will like her new "boss." LOL! Anyway, Susan is now the Director of Spiritual Formation at Centenary! She will oversee the children's and youth ministries, Sunday School programs, family ministries, and outreach ministries. I feel that Centenary is so blessed to have Susan and her organizational skills as well as her passion for ministries. After the stress of her last job, this is a welcome relief! Susan will work around 25 hours per week, which will allow her to have time with Elizabeth and that brings us to...

Elizabeth is now a kindergartener at Mount Ulla Elementary! Now, who feels old? (Don't answer that!) She has adjusted very well. Much better than her parents! The first day she walked in, found her cubby, her pencil box, and she sat down and began drawing a picture. Susan and I were, like, "Ok. Bye!" She was in her element. I am thankful to have a rambunctuous, independent, fearless child. (At least most of the time!)

Now it is almost September. We have been up too late watching the Olympics, we have been working at the church, at home arranging things, getting Elizabeth ready for school, and through it all, it has been such a blessing to know that God is with us through it all. I hope and pray that you feel God's presence too.

With all the talk of political conventions, the election, running mates, and now hurricanes, be in prayer for our country and our world. May God bless us in this upcoming Fall, and always. I will try to not be a stranger to this blog. You don't be one either! Join us for worship this Sunday, and feel free to leave a comment or e-mail me!

In Christ,
O.