Wrapping up 2010

2010 has been a year of new starts for Amanda and I. Perhaps the biggest and most significant of these was both a completion and a new beginning! This was Amanda’s graduation from Grand Canyon University in May with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing! Both our families were able to come out for the graduation, which was held on Chase Field (where the Diamondbacks play!). Calling the graduates names by school, Amanda soon saw she was near the end of the commencement ceremony. So of course she worked it out that she was the very last name called and last person to walk across the stage! To top off that day, she got a call from John C. Lincoln hospitals, where she had been doing a student nurses program, and was given a job offer in their ICU! So after passing and getting her RN, Amanda is now working full-time as a night shift ICU nurse in North-Central Phoenix!

This has posed the start of a new schedule for us as well, with a day-shift and a night-shift schedule in the household! Many of the days of dual work consist of seeing each other for 15 to 45 minutes as I get home from work and Amanda is leaving. Sometimes, we just call and wave at each other as we drive by each other. Despite this, we have learned to protect and take time when we do have it to enjoy each other’s company!

In addition to Amanda’s work, I have continued going to school full-time, and have just three quarters of class to go before getting my Masters of Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary. I cannot even go into how amazing and challenging this experience has been, or the friends that have been made. It is simply so good to meet people who are so genuinely loving and Godly people, even if we don’t always agree on everything! I also have a job with the Luis Palau Association working for an upcoming event in March 2011. This position has been working with all the churches in the Western half of Phoenix, and is a networking with these pastors, civic and business leaders to meet the needs of the communities. I get to work with people to love their neighbors, and do this more effectively and united! After all, as Christian we are to love our neighbors, and this is done in word and deed! Here in Arizona it is very good to be part of a uniting, rather than separating, effort within the many demographics of the state.

Amanda and I have not gotten to take much in the way of vacations or do much outside of this schedule this year…but we know it is the season that God has us in. Luckily, we were able to get away to Sedona for a luxurious and peaceful evening, and then escape a little bit in San Diego as part of a work-trip there for a Luis Palau Festival. What was really cool was that we were able to meet up with Barry Friesen, who came down from Canada to hang out! We’ve also had some time, even if brief, to hang out with Joe & Joanna Lacanlale, Jeremiah Colon, Wade & Dara Gardner, and of course our family! I think we’ve had Brian Jr. (Amanda’s brother) out for nearly an entire month’s time by the end of this year…it’s been fun!

The transition of new beginnings this past year has been a busy time, and next year is promising to be shaping up into a great year as well, with the Festival, graduation, and whatever future endeavors God has in store for us! We hope and wish that God is also guiding each of you and drawing you into His arms.


May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May He make His face shine upon you!

Rob & Amanda McFarren