Sunday, June 9, 2013

The beginning of a new normal

I debated what to title this blog post and after some thought decided "Holy Crap I'm a Deacon's Wife" maybe wasn't completely appropriate!
But, appropriate or not, it is certainly my feeling of the day.  Yesterday, after a LONG five year process, Jason was ordained.  Honestly, I am still a bit shell shocked.  The mass with the Archbishop was beautiful.  I have no pictures to post because we were told not to take pictures.  Msrg. Kostelnik told the wives to just focus on the mass and let someone else worry about taking pictures.  That seemed like a great idea at the time, but now I have no pictures to post! I am waiting on others to pass me some dvd's of the pictures they took, then I can post them here.
In the midst of all the congratulations we received, I had someone ask me if I felt any different.  My immediate thought was no, but I don't think that's totally true.  I do feel a bit different.  Certainly I feel relieved that our five years of formation are over.  I am glad to be done with leaving my kids for two Saturdays a month and I am really glad to be done with the 100 mile drive to class.  I am sad that I won't be seeing our classmates on a regular basis anymore; they have become a part of our family.  I am proud of my husband and his accomplishments.  And, of course, I have an overwhelming sense of joy knowing that we are following God's path for us.
One of our good friends told me today "Don't change!" He said that Jason and I are a great example of what it means to be married, what it means to be a family, and what it is to just be real.  He warned me not to let Jason fall into the clericalist part of being an ordained minister.  It is an especially good reminder for me because I have had some concern about being a "Deacon's Wife".  I need to remember to stay true to me since God called Jason knowing full well who he was married to! I know I have great friends and family to keep me in line. 
So, today starts the new adventures of the Schalow's as a Diaconal Family.  I am sure it will take some time for all of us to feel our way, see what works and what doesn't.  I get to be the one to keep Jason in line and make sure he doesn't put Church before Family.  I know that as long as we keep our focus on God and live out the Gospel, we will be able to stay joyous knowing that we are following wherever God is leading us next.