Little did we know the plans God had in store once we were obedient to his leading. About a week before our last Sunday I received a call from Pastor Marshall Eizenga from Waterloo Pentecostal Assembly and he asked if I might be interested in the Assistant Pastor position there. The first meeting would just be a “get to know you” meeting where I could meet him and he could meet me and then we’d go from there. After a series of interviews and a very thorough process, much prayer, much discussion and a few sleepless nights - Kerryanne have both overwhelmingly sensed that this is where God is leading us next and it’s been confirmed in the receptivity of the Waterloo leadership and other friends and family who know us well. Today the announcement is being made to the congregation of Waterloo Pentecostal Assembly about me becoming their new Assistant Pastor and I will begin serving there on May 13th. My first official Sunday will be on May 18th and I’ll be preaching.

Waterloo will be a HUGE adjustment for our family - going from a small community of just over 7,000 to a large urban center of over 100k - going from a church averaging 65 people to a church averaging around 750! Nevertheless, God has called us there to serve Him and so there we will go. We know that because He’s called us there we’ll have His help in adjusting and fitting in to our new environment.

I’m really looking forward to ministering in this church. In the time I’ve gotten to know Pastor Marshall I’ve seen a man who has a clear understanding of how God has called him to this city and this church and how God wants to use him going forward. The synergy in the conversations we’ve had together get me excited about the partnership and the role I’ll have in supporting his vision and the work he is doing.

The church itself is brimming with anticipation and potential for the things that God is and will be doing and I’m excited about being a part of that. There’s this incredible overwhelming sense of “pieces of the puzzle” falling into place and both Kerryanne and I are stumbling forward in awe of our Lord’s hand at work.

This entire process has led us through a whole gamut of emotions. Sorrow and sadness in leaving our church family here in Hanover and the familiarity of the roots we established in so many areas of our lives. The many friends and relationships we’ve made here in Hanover we’ll continue to treasure going forward in our lives. It’ll be nice knowing we’ll always have a “home” here in this community.

I’m also greatly indebted to this congregation for the growth and experiences they’ve built into our families lives in our time with them. You can’t spend that amount of time with people and then have their imprint disappear from who you are. HPC’s mark on our lives will always be there and treasured as part of the way God has shaped us in our growth as individuals and as a family. I’m looking forward to hearing about the good things God continues to do at HPC as the church walks forward in obedience to His leading!

Our sadness and sorrow with leaving Hanover is increasingly being replaced by an excitement and anticipation for the next stage in our lives as we go through all the things that need to be done in preparation for our move. This morning in our family devotional I shared the story of the Israelites crossing the Jordan River into the promised land. The promised land for us as a family is the new chapter in our lives in Waterloo. The Jordan River is all the obstacles and hurdles we have to overcome to get to the promised land. The kids came up with quite of list of fears and challenges we’ll be facing as a family (and Mom and Dad could think of a few too!). But then, I pointed to how when the Levites carried the Ark of the Covenant, which represented God’s presence and promise, the Jordan River parted and the Israelites were able to cross over to the promised land. With us we know that God is leading us there and He will go before us in all the obstacles, and challenges, and fears we have and make our Jordan River passable.

I can still hear Karissa say, “You mean God knows the new friends we are going to have? He knows the new house we’re going to move into?” Yes He does Karissa - He’s known all along where the Ethier6 are going next!

So Waterloo, look out because here we come!

It was great to catch up and see the kids interact. We had an awesome day! (BTW there’s new pics on the Albums page)

You can also read more about my experiences by either visiting my personal blog or my church website.  Both contain updates from the field and that’s probably the best way for me to communicate the experience at this point.

This was yet another themed party and for Karissa it was all about luau. Yeah, that’s a word. Think Hawaiian and you’ve got the picture. We had hula skirts, leis, pineapple, island music, dolphin and water tattoos and of course the liiimmbbbooo!!

Karissa had three boys and three girls over and everyone seemed to have a fun time.

Of course, ma and pa buzz are a little bit sad to see our kids growing up so fast but hey - from my perspective I can start giving them more chores right? Right?

Oh, by the way, her birthday was on April 14th.