He has made everything beautiful in its time.
~ Ecclesiastes 3:11
It is good to take time to reflect on what has been. All along major roadways, there are mile markers which tell you where you are. If you’re like me, passing one usually prompts the mental calculations of how far we’ve come or how far we have left to go. Most of the time, these markers simply help to mark the passing of time (and distance), but eventually, you reach the mile marker you’ve been waiting for. It could be the mile marker for your final destination, the mile marker for a quick meal on the way, or the mile marker for a much-needed bathroom stop.
Sometimes, you reach the mile marker where you need to leave the road you’ve been on and instead travel down a different one. Life’s journey doesn’t always take you the most direct route – it might take several different turns to get where you are going. When I’m driving long-distance, I don’t stop and reminisce when I reach one of these mile marker moments. In life, however, it is good practice to take a moment and celebrate the road(s) that have brought you to where you are before you take off down a new one.
One such mile marker is the completion of graduate school. Harding School of Theology has been such a wonderful experience! After I started my first full-time position with a church, I felt the need to build a stronger foundation for effective ministry going forward. So, I started at HST in 2019, one class at a time, while maintaining a full-time job, family obligations, and everything else. It has been challenging, but ultimately well worth the effort. I have a much fuller understanding of God’s word, what a meaningful faith brings to this life, and how the Church can fulfill its role as the Bride of Christ. Additionally, I have also gained a vibrant community of fellow workers all over the world who love and support each other in numerous ways. You can read more details about graduation weekend on the blog.
In recent weeks, Emily and I have both reached these mile markers as we wrapped up our jobs in education. For the last three years, as I finished my coursework at HST, I have also been serving as the librarian at Parkway Village Elementary. It’s a large public school in Memphis, Tennessee, serving low-income neighborhoods near the airport. I will miss the students and faculty greatly – especially my team of fellow Support teachers (art, music, PE, STEAM, computer, library). What a treasure these last three years have been. God has provided many blessings through what would have otherwise have been “just a job” while I finished my degree.
Emily completed her 29th year teaching Kindermusik®, a music and movement style of teaching that provides foundational learning in a fun multi-generational environment via weekly classes. It takes a team. And what a Dream Team of early childhood educators God has blessed her with over the years! It has been a bittersweet time of goodbyes with all her children and families. It is our prayer that God will continue to use this unique experience and skill set in adaptive ways to love on and reach out to families in the Tachikawa neighborhood community. Please pray that God will guide our path as we explore this possibility and learn along the way. Thank you.
Now it is time to make that turn and travel down a new road. We are grateful for the experiences, skills, and wisdom that the journey to this point has given us. The people that we know and love are the greatest treasure. You all have played such an integral role in our preparation for mission work in Japan, and we will carry you close in our hearts as we head down this new path.
~ Clay
Fowlers in Japan 