This is a season of significant transition for our family. Eileen is leaving her post as a staff attorney for the Federal Judiciary. Some call that “retirement,” but we prefer to think of it as a time to seek God for the next exciting adventure!
Thursday we celebrated Eileen’s law practice with warm words of thanks and encouragement from Judge Thomas Russell and Judge Lanny King, and from Vanessa Armstrong, the Clerk of Court for the United States District Court in the Western District of Kentucky. Vanessa, specifically, thanked Eileen for the example of faith, and perseverance even in the face of tremendous difficulties, which Eileen has set for many years. Vanessa recalled numerous times when Eileen called her colleague and friend to prayer, searching the Scriptures, and trusting God.
Eileen’s service to the federal government goes all the way back to the late 1980’s. For a decade she worked as an Assistant United States Attorney, and we have enjoyed meeting some wonderful people in the context of each assignment along the way. From Eastern North Carolina in the U.S. Attorney’s
Office to Southern California in the Department of Homeland Security – and from medical malpractice defense to securing the Port of Los Angeles – we would not trade in a single chapter. Each has been hard work, but each has brought with it tremendous spiritual blessing.
Let’s face it: I married up. My better half is a brilliant attorney. But, far more than that, she is “a wife of noble character” (Proverbs 31:10). “She is clothed with strength and dignity,” and she models integrity for anyone who knows her. Eileen lives by an unparalleled work ethic, in my humble opinion. She “perseveres under trial” (James 1:12) – and you can interpret those “trials” both ways.
A very wise man once said: “Let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”
In days ahead, I look forward to seeing how the Lord will use Eileen’s many gifts for His glory. After she gets Joshua settled into college this fall, she plans to pursue her practice of law in the arenas of mediation, conflict resolution (particularly in service to churches and other nonprofits), teaching, and religious liberties.
For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
Pastor Charles
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