Getting news you've waited for!

On May 10 I went to the post office with an envelope containing the Sabbatical proposal from the Salem Mennonite Church for the National Clergy Renewal Program of Lilly Endowment. (It happened to be the day before my mother, Adeline Kaufman, came to her last day, which I spent with her at the Tieszen Home. How grateful I was to have this proposal in the mail before that busy time with my Mom's funeral.) A lot of work had gone into that document, to say nothing of hopes and dreams. We'd been working on the Sabbatical proposal since January. Lilly Endowment made it clear they did not want inquiries from applicants about how their application was faring. They just said they would let applicants know "by October." I didn't know if that meant before October, or during October.
So I settled in to wait. Obviously a lot was riding on this grant proposal of $42,000. And though I knew we had a good proposal, I knew the competition for these grants was great, with more than 700 applications, and less than 150 accepted. So I tried not to be too optimistic, and I tried to prepare myself for news that our proposal was not accepted. I explored a number of "Plan B" options, applying to Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary for a Sabbatical grant they offer pastors, and even to another Sabbatical program.
I think I probably blocked out thinking about receiving the news during most of September, not wanting to be too anxious and preoccupied about it. So I didn't even notice the two large envelopes that came on September 26 in the mail. Then I noticed one was addressed to the moderator, and one to me. Glancing at the return address I saw that they were from Lilly Endowment, and I knew the moment of truth was at hand. Loretta happened to be there, so I had her "hold my hand" as I opened the envelope addressed to me. And believe it or not, it said that Salem Mennonite Church had received the Lilly Endowment grant!
In addition to being suprised, I guess my main feeling was one of relief! Now our and the church's plans could proceed! And for me personally, the main relief was probably for the part of the Sabbatical involving our daughters--a two week trip to meet us in Greece in April. The girls were all looking forward to that very much, and if I hadn't received this grant, I doubted if I could fulill my promise to have them join us there for two weeks, even if we had proceeded with some or all of my Sabbatical plans otherwise. I was glad that I could tell them that the trip was likely a go!
I'm also relieved that the news came as soon as it did. It means we have a full three months to flesh out all our plans and make all the many contacts and arrangements we need to make now that our Sabbatical can unfold as planned.
So I wonder what your experiences are with waiting for something you really want. It reminds me a little of how it was when Loretta was pregnant, except that in this case we didn't really know if we'd have the "baby!" A lot of people worked with us in making this application and my Sabbatical plans. A lot of people have already been put on notice that something may happen! So what a joy it is now to actually be able to let people know that we'll be able to follow through with these plans!
Also, I'd be grateful for your thoughts about what this Sabbatical will mean for you and for the church. I know there's lots of people who are a little envious that I should have this opportunity, when their own work won't allow this "luxury." And I surely understand why people should feel that way. A lot of people are also wishing they could go with us, especially in our foreign travel. But what are your expectations for me in this experience? What do you wish or hope that I might do for you or for our church? Will it make any difference for us here? I'd be grateful for your thoughts!
Pastor Roy