Over the past month, I’ve been pretty quiet online—not because nothing has been happening, but because so much has been happening, all at once. It’s been a season marked by sudden changes, unexpected opportunities, and more than a few moments of emotional and spiritual whiplash. Simply put, it’s been disorienting and disruptive.

There have been days when I’ve felt like I’m standing at the intersection of loss and new beginnings; grieving what’s ending, uncertain about what’s next, and still trying to stay present to the beauty and meaning in the middle of it all. I’ve needed time to process, reflect, and pray my way through it. Now, as things begin to settle into a new kind of rhythm, I want to share a bit about what’s been going on.

A Professional Goodbye
My full-time role with ONUplus has come to an end. For all the talk about the rising cost of college, the truth is that most universities operate with very little financial margin. I was aware that budget cuts were on the horizon and that, for a variety of reasons, my position could potentially be on the line. After a few weeks of uncertainty, finally hearing a decision brought a bit of relief. At the very least, I knew something.

Still, it was hard. When we moved back to Illinois and I rejoined ONU, I was intentional: I wanted to be part of the university long-term. I committed myself not just to doing my job well, but to thinking strategically about how I could contribute meaningfully to the larger mission of the university. I had recently begun teaching sections of the Christian Living course as an adjunct, and I had just enrolled in the ONU Leadership Institute, a professional development program within the university.

I didn’t think I’d be part of ONUplus forever, but I genuinely believed ONU would be my work home for a long time. So that’s how April started: with an ending I didn’t quite expect.

A New Church is Born
On April 13th, we held the first official gathering of Emmaus Road Gathering. While it was our first time meeting in this way, the moment had been over a year in the making. What started as an idea about creating a different kind of church for a rural context had slowly taken shape through prayer, planning, and conversations with others who shared the vision.

That Sunday, a small group gathered around a shared meal, and what followed was rich conversation, honest reflection, and the quiet but unmistakable sense that something meaningful had begun. It wasn’t flashy or loud, but it was real and it confirmed for me that God is very much at work in small places, with ordinary people, doing something deeply good.

New Life (Literally)
And thenMocha, our dog, had 11 puppies. Yes, eleven. Which means we now have 13 dogs in the house. It’s been a whirlwind of squeaks, tail wags, and an endless rotation of feeding, cleaning, and corralling tiny bodies.

One unexpected silver lining of not working full-time these past few weeks? I’ve actually been around to manage the chaos. And believe me, there have been many, many messes to clean up. It’s been exhausting and overwhelming at times, but also oddly grounding. There’s something about caring for fragile, new life that has a way of slowing you down and pulling you back to the present moment.

A Long Drive and a Big Step
In the middle of everything else, Jonas booked a one-way flight to Texas, picked up a car from my uncle, and drove it all the way back to Illinois by himself. It was a big thing for him to take on, but honestly, I wasn’t too worried. He’s capable and responsible. There were just a lot of unknowns, and that’s always a little unsettling as a parent.

But I’m really proud of him. I’m glad he felt confident enough to attempt something like this, and even more so that he saw it through. These are the kinds of experiences that shape you, and watching him navigate it with maturity and determination was one of the bright spots in a season full of curveballs.

* UPDATE – I was not the right person for this job so I resigned after a few weeks and took a position with By The Hand Club for Kids*

A New Role, A Renewed Calling
Today, I accepted a position with Catholic Charities as a Senior Case Manager in the Aging & Disability Division, working out of the Kankakee office and serving the surrounding areas. This role feels like a good fit for both my heart and my skillset, blending my passion for rural communities, my commitment to walking with people through vulnerable seasons of life, and my desire to serve in a faith-based setting.

What makes this feel even more meaningful is the backstory: I actually interviewed for a similar role with Catholic Charities before accepting the ONUplus position. I had a great experience throughout the process, but ultimately chose to withdraw from consideration in order to accept the opportunity at Olivet. So when I saw this new position come open, I was both surprised and encouraged, and even more so when the hiring manager remembered me from the first time around.

I don’t know exactly when my start date will be yet, but I’m genuinely excited about the opportunity. I get to support vulnerable folks in my own community and that’s the kind of work that feels like both a responsibility and a privilege.

Looking Ahead
It’s strange how so many disconnected threads – disappointments, detours, and unexpected opportunities can start to weave together into something that feels like grace. This past month has been disorienting, no doubt. But it’s also been clarifying. I’ve had to release some things I held tightly, and I’ve been surprised by what’s opened up in the process. I don’t know exactly what the months ahead will hold, but I’m walking into them with a little more humility, a little more hope, and a renewed commitment to be present to the people and places God has put in front of me.

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