Family

Lafayette…Here We Come!

/ Jason Morris / 1 Comment

On November 12th, I received a phone call from my current DS, Dale Mendenhall. The conversation started with Dale saying, “The Bishop has a new appointment for you.” At the time, I was racing to make it to the credit union before they closed so I could deposit a check and get some cash. I quickly said, “Um, can you say that again so I can make sure that I heard you correctly.” Indeed, I had not made an error in my hearing. Dale asked me to call the DS of the new Northwest District, Craig LaSuer and that he would have the details for me.

Later that evening, I called DS LaSuer and he spelled things out for me. The appointment would be as an associate pastor at Lafayette Christ UMC, focusing on youth and contemporary worship. As he spoke about the appointment, my interest was definitely peaking. It’s a strong church in a rapidly growing part of Lafayette. There is a lot of potential for growth. The church has a strong group of young families, awesome children’s ministry, and just too many good things to list.

He scheduled a meeting for the following week with Scott Mann, Christ UMC’s senior pastor. I really enjoyed our time together and felt like Scott is someone I could easily work with. So, the meeting went well and we decided to move on to the next step of the process.

On Monday, November 23rd, Emily, Jocelyn, and I headed over to Lafayette to meet with the staff parish committee (Sammie stayed with my parents, Jocelyn sort of needs to be with her mother at this point). The meeting could not have gone any better. We really enjoyed meeting some of the people from Christ UMC. Both Emily and I felt great about the meeting. After a time of discussion, DS Lasuer came out and said that the church felt really good about it and asked how we felt. Obviously, I felt good too. So, the appointment became official.

Yesterday, the appointment was announced in both churches. It’s a bitter-sweet moment for us. We love Center Chapel. We have been amazingly blessed by this congregation. This is our home. Our families are very close. We see great things happening at Center Chapel…and we see great things on the horizon. It’s hard to leave Center Chapel. Yet, we know that this is the right thing to do. We see this as a wonderful opportunity…for me and for our family. A lot of things have lined up and clearly indicated to us that God is in this.

So, my last Sunday at Center Chapel will be January 10th. My last day here will be January 14th. And I’ll make my transition to Lafayette Christ on January 15th. It’s going to be a big change. It’s going to be a good change.

We’re excited about this. We would ask that those of you who are the praying type would surround our family in prayer during this time. We ask that you’d pray that our house will sell and that we’ll find new housing in Lafayette. We ask that you pray for Lafayette Christ and that this period of transition will go smoothly and that God will bless this congregation. We ask the same prayers for Center Chapel.

Home…We’re Going Home

/ Jason Morris / Leave a comment

This morning, both Emily and Jocelyn’s doctors came to visit and both liked what they found. So, later today we will head home. Oh, what a joy it will be to not have nurses and doctors coming in at all hours of the day and night. Now, we are definitely thankful for those nurses and doctors. But, it will be wonderful to be in our quiet home.

With that, I’ll just remind people that this pacifist pastor will knock you out if you come to visit our daughter and have even the slightest hint of a head cold or cough. I will punch you in the nose, kick you out the door, and lock it. Then I’ll call the police and have you escorted off of my property. I’m not kidding. If this little girl gets sick, I will track down the culprit and deal with you in a very Soprano”s-esque manner. I don’t know if I have made myself clear yet or not. Let me know if you do not understand!

Thanks for all the love, prayer, support, and well wishes we have received throughout this journey. Our family and friends are the best!

Visitation…Or Lack Thereof

/ Jason Morris / 1 Comment

This has been an awesome week! At the same time, it has been difficult. We have only been able to share our little bundle of joy with the world via the web. Emily and Jocelyn are limited to two visitors. And, I count as one of the two. That means that grandma’s, grandpa’s, aunts, uncles, cousins, good friend, clergy-types, and random strangers have not been able to stop in and meet Jocelyn Ruby Morris face to face.

We understand and appreciate the heightened security procedures. The last thing we want is for Emily or Jocelyn to contract a nasty flu bug.

The upside has been that we have been able to rest because the only visitors we get are our nurses. The downside has been that the only visitors we get are our nurses. We have had amazing nurses and doctors surrounding us. But, it is always nice to have your friends and family stop by.

The biggest disappointment has been for Samantha. She was so excited to come to the hospital and welcome her new sister into the world. She was looking forward to being a part of all of this. However, the rules say that anyone 14 and under cannot enter the hospital (unless they are seeking care, of course). I had to make a trip to my parent’s house last night for a good night hug. We’ve had several phone calls…ranging from, “Why aren’t you home?” to “Why did you have to have the baby at the hospital?” to “I don’t want to be a big sister.” It’s difficult for a three year old to understand all that’s going on.

But, we’re excited! And, we’re looking forward to going home and introducing Jocelyn to her big sister…and other healthy friends and family (if you come to my house and have a runny nose, I’ll break it). I’m also looking forward to enjoying the beverages that Stewart (my grandfather-in-law) left in my refrigerator!

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The Final Countdown

/ Jason Morris / Leave a comment

Tomorrow morning, Emily and I will head to Ball Memorial Hospital just before 8am. After getting checked in and prepped, we will head into surgery for the planned c-section delivery of our new daughter at 10am. I’ll do my best to post some pictures and info on how things are going. We’re pretty excited. Emily is nervous (rightfully so, I mean, they are going to be yanking a baby out of her belly). We definitely appreciate your thoughts, prayers, and good vibes!