Update on the Aust family--post seminary (well...almost!)

A little over 3 weeks ago, Brad graduated from Bethlehem Seminary.  I could write an entire book about the excitement and relief and deep sadness and grief that we have experienced this last month as we have reflected upon our 4 years in Minneapolis.  We have said "see you later....NOT good bye" to SO MANY dear seminary families as God has gradually been moving them on to different parts of the country where I know they will use what they have learned to serve God and His people well.  

But that story will be for another time.

Many of you have been wondering what the next step is for Brad and me and our family.  Here's the most recent update....which could change at any moment!

Brad is finishing his last 2 credit class on church growth and renewal this week (June 6-10).  It's a 1 week intensive class...with over 1500 pages of reading.

And just when we had this delightful 3 week break from the rigor of studying...

Once he finishes his work for this class later this month, he will be OFFICIALLY done!  Praise Jesus!

In the meantime, we have been continuing to work on final house projects on our foreclosed home (the purple bathroom is no more...much to Sammy's dismay) and are also in the thick of job searching.

Searching for a pastoral position is unlike any other job search.  It's not like looking for a teaching position or applying for a job at Starbucks...it takes months or years for a congregation to find a new pastor.  The process is long for both the churches and the pastors and both spend hours considering the unique giftedness of each candidate and the unique make-up of each church. I think often of it like a marriage...a vow and commitment not to be taken without much time and prayer.  We don't want to just serve a church for a few years...Brad and I are in this for the long haul.  It is a decision that we (and each church that considers us) are not taking lightly.

I could go on about the many details and facets of this search process, but this topic, too, must be put on hold for another time.

I feel that God has been very gracious to us these last 3 weeks.  In the days leading up to graduation, we were at various stages of the "applicant" process with several churches, but Brad hadn't had any interviews set up yet.

And I....well, I was a mess of emotions.  I was grateful (for what appeared to be a break in the crazy), but was also incredibly curious about what God had in store for us.  

But since graduation evening...we literally received an email from one church when we got home that very night... Brad has had a Skype interview with a church Memorial Day weekend, interviewed with another church last Thursday, will have a 2nd interview with the same church from last week this upcoming Thursday (June 9), and then he and I will have an interview with a 3rd church this Saturday.

All of a sudden, our life got crazy again!

We ask for your prayers as we meet with these pastors, elders, and search committees this week.  And, please, also pray for these churches and committees.  They have an incredibly difficult job.  We are eager to learn a bit more about each of these churches and are excited to share with them how God has uniquely wired Brad and I to serve His church.

We long to raise high the name of Jesus and to glorify Him in all we do!