The Beginning - Part II

The initial installment of the Beginning post told our Deacon journey story. This second installment should actually be subtitled "God's Path" or even "Prayers Are Answered" - depending on your perspective. If you haven't read The Beginning post - it would be best to start there and then continue to read this post.

After graduating from WGU with my B.S. in Health Informatics, we decided that I would begin apply to various hospitals in south-central Washington (my baby sisters and step-father lived there) and in the Boise area as our youngest grandsons lived there and what grandparent doesn't want to watch their grandchildren grow up (go to games and special events)? We prayed that God would put us someplace where we would be needed. Ken wanted to be a Deacon - not just be called a deacon. He wanted to serve a parish that needed his service.

Nothing much happened in the Boise area except a lot of rejection letters. I call them that but they were much nicer than that. Most of them said "we found someone who fit our organization - see ya". So when I received an email from the director of IT at a hospital in the Tri-Cities, I was extremely excited but kept my emotions in check - just in case. After several weeks (interview and then an acceptance meeting), I was offered the position and I immediately accepted (Ken & I had talked about what had to be met in order to accept it).

I lived with my baby sister and her husband for 9 months while Ken put our house up for sale and finished up his instruction with our parish Deacon. He drove 100 miles, one way, to pick me up on Friday afternoons and drove me back on Sunday evenings. It was difficult but it actually worked very well for a temporary situation. I loved spending lots of evening time with my sister, but I did miss my husband quite a lot.

Finally, everything lined up and in February we purchased our current home. It would be another year before we actually sold our previous home; however, everything in God's time. Ken was obligated to continue at our "old" parish through Easter Sunday. After that, he was free to contact the local diocese and parishes to find his/our new parish home. After many phone calls and in-person meetings, it was decided that he would start at the Parish of the Holy Spirit. What we did not know at this time was just how much this parish NEEDED him.

The back story was very sad. Their "current" Deacon had just been put into hospice. Deacon Ron passed away just days after Ken began at Holy Spirit. Deacon Ron was so loved - that much was obvious to us both. Ken actually served at his funeral mass. The parish priest, at the time, was in his early 80's but was very mobile and thoroughly enjoyed his role at the parish. He loved this parish. However, he knew he could not continue indefinitely on his own - so they had several gentlemen from the parish trained and installed as acolytes. These men continue to be a blessing to our parish.

Ken arrived when he was most needed. It was the most amazing thing - but God can move mountains so he absolutely could move us a hundred miles south! Duh! Ken has been told that he was an answer to prayers but honestly, the Parish of the Holy Spirit has been the answer to our prayers as well. We have found a true home where we are needed, respected, and appreciated. And the love? Totally amazing and unconditional. We have the most amazing parish full of family and friends! We are truly blessed. I pray that every deacon and deacon candidate find their perfect parish as we did. Pray and then step aside so God can take the wheel. He's got this....believe me!