It's Official!

Well folks, it's official.  My husband is now recognized by the state of New Mexico as an ordained pastor, and we had the most touching and beautiful service and reception at church yesterday.

It was a very tiring day, but it was such a special time for our family, and (I hope) for our church.  In the afternoon my husband spent quite a bit of time being questioned by the ordination council (which thankfully did not include me, as I am not very good at being put on the spot!) and then we began the Ordination Service.

Most of our congregation was there, as well as some of our other friends in town.  Another local pastor and good friend of my husband's presented a charge to him, and then the local director of missions gave a charge to the congregation.  Two of our friends sang special music, and then every man present who is an ordained pastor or deacon came and prayed with us both.  It was so special, and it really took everything in me not to cry.

But then, being the good Baptists that we are, we had a huge pot-luck celebration and our congregation gave us a "pounding," which consisted of presenting us with a "pound" of different gifts (like diapers and groceries).

They even had the whole event decorated in purple and gold for our beloved alma mater (Go Dukes!).

And then, we (and by we, I mostly mean my daughter, as she is not very inclined to share) enjoyed some delicious cake.  Being a spunky, independent two-year-old, she insisted on feeding herself, so it was quite an adventure.  :)

As exhausting as the whole day was, I enjoyed it so much.  I do not think we have ever been shown as much love by a congregation as we were yesterday, and I am very much looking forward to our ministry here in the desert!