Holy smoke! It's for real! I am going to Honduras, and it looks like Mary may be going also. I attended a meeting of the Global Mission Committee of our synod last night and they agreed with me that it is safe enough to go. They will pay for my ticket and expenses, and Mary and I will cough up the cash to pay for her ticket. It should be a great trip, for both of us. It is our first visit to the country and the Lutheran Church. They are doing some fantastic work and they are about to make some very significant changes in the way they define and do ministry. The synod wanted me to go and represent them at their annual assembly. The trip is a go!
We leave on November 11th and return November 15th, late in the evening. On the way we do have a lengthy stay-over in Houston, but we will probably catch some sleep and head out early for Honduras. Mary is in the process of getting out of school for the trip. She is hoping that it will be easy, and that it will help her Spanish classes at Kalkaska.
I let my council know on Thursday. They assured me that they did not have ransom money to bring me home. They are a bit concerned, but I assured them that the people there will take very good care of us. I know that Mary did not want me to go, but since I decided to go, she decided that it would be better to be together than apart this trip around.
I have a whole list of things to talk about and investigate while there. The synod here wants to know more about them and how we can intensify our relationship with the Honduran Lutherans. I am excited about how they are doing ministry. I think they might have finally figured out how the Lutheran Church can be an effective, growing and relevant church in Latin America. I believe they are a real model for Lutheran ministry in that part of the world, and I am anxious to see more of what they are doing, first-hand. Knowing the language and Latin American culture helps. I hope to participate in theological education in Honduras down the road. Some of that is already being done by another synod of the ELCA, but I think that our synod has some very special gifts to offer in that direction.
Wish us luck, pray for us.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Fall only means preparation for winter
Don't get me wrong, I love the fall; the smells, colors, and holidays that make up this season. Up north, in northern Michigan, fall is exceptionally beautiful, though I think the beauty of this season will fall off a bit this year because of the constant rain we are getting. I know, this can be a great time of the year as cooler weather sets in, and sleeping becomes a bit nicer with the window open above the bed. But for me, it is just a time to get ready for winter.
There is so much to do! Decisions have to be made this year about our outdoor swing. Last year we brought it indoors, but room in the living room is now limited. Hoses need to be drained and carried into the garage. The garage needs to be cleaned and rearranged so that Mary's car can be stored through the nights of winter. The work shop needs to be rearranged as well to store the snow blower and shovels for winter snow clearing. Neither of these tasks are simple or small. Our bicycles need to be hung from the workshop ceiling, the picnic table must be set on edge, and oh yeah, the leaves. We get our share of leaves which seem to fall all the time, right up to the first snow.
One blessing we received this fall, the Chinese elm trees are finally down. They were the messiest trees I have ever seen. Every wind would cause hundreds of sticks and limbs to fall in the yard, even in the winter. Last year we had cleaned up the yard for winter, picking up a huge amount of elm sticks and limbs that had fallen from a recent wind storm. That same night, after cleaning them all up and putting the yard in great shape for the winter, the first time since moving here 20 years ago, we received another wind storm with a foot of snow that brought down more limbs which we could not clean up until March, when the snow disappeared.
Next week a crew will come in and landscape the front yard of the parsonage and the church. Obviously, the best time to do this is the fall, so that the plants have a chance to root themselves for spring. A member of the church is a landscaper and he is bringing in his crew for free to replant and spruce up the front. This should be exciting.
Angela is on the verge of buying a house, the first to do so in our family. She is ahead of Mary and I. The house looks good, and she likes it a lot, though not enough yet to "fall in love with it." She made an offer today and is waiting their response.
Of course, all of this is just to "get ready for winter." As beautiful as fall can be, it is only a passing month or two, and the first snow falls, we have to dig out, the sky turns gray, and we are in the dark times of winter. Sound gray? Well, as you can tell, it is not my favorite time of the year. Nonetheless, like the other 19 winters we have experienced, I guess we will get through it and try to find some kind of joy in the midst of the snow, cold, and wind.
There is so much to do! Decisions have to be made this year about our outdoor swing. Last year we brought it indoors, but room in the living room is now limited. Hoses need to be drained and carried into the garage. The garage needs to be cleaned and rearranged so that Mary's car can be stored through the nights of winter. The work shop needs to be rearranged as well to store the snow blower and shovels for winter snow clearing. Neither of these tasks are simple or small. Our bicycles need to be hung from the workshop ceiling, the picnic table must be set on edge, and oh yeah, the leaves. We get our share of leaves which seem to fall all the time, right up to the first snow.
One blessing we received this fall, the Chinese elm trees are finally down. They were the messiest trees I have ever seen. Every wind would cause hundreds of sticks and limbs to fall in the yard, even in the winter. Last year we had cleaned up the yard for winter, picking up a huge amount of elm sticks and limbs that had fallen from a recent wind storm. That same night, after cleaning them all up and putting the yard in great shape for the winter, the first time since moving here 20 years ago, we received another wind storm with a foot of snow that brought down more limbs which we could not clean up until March, when the snow disappeared.
Next week a crew will come in and landscape the front yard of the parsonage and the church. Obviously, the best time to do this is the fall, so that the plants have a chance to root themselves for spring. A member of the church is a landscaper and he is bringing in his crew for free to replant and spruce up the front. This should be exciting.
Angela is on the verge of buying a house, the first to do so in our family. She is ahead of Mary and I. The house looks good, and she likes it a lot, though not enough yet to "fall in love with it." She made an offer today and is waiting their response.
Of course, all of this is just to "get ready for winter." As beautiful as fall can be, it is only a passing month or two, and the first snow falls, we have to dig out, the sky turns gray, and we are in the dark times of winter. Sound gray? Well, as you can tell, it is not my favorite time of the year. Nonetheless, like the other 19 winters we have experienced, I guess we will get through it and try to find some kind of joy in the midst of the snow, cold, and wind.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Back to the grind already?
Such a great summer, and today is the first day of, dare I say it, FALL. I know, I know, it is a beautiful season, with the leaves changing color, the pumpkins all over the place, and Halloween (actually that would be Reformation Day for you Lutherans). But Fall only means one thing for me, WINTER is just around the corner here in northern Michigan. Sure, it is a time to cheer the Buckeyes, rub the scarlet and gray in the wounds of the U of M Wolverines, and to take in the last few rays of sunshine and warmth. But Fall is a passing fancy here. We will soon be in for deep snow, absent members off hunting deer, and the return of gray and cloudy days, long nights, and whiteouts.
I guess I shouldn't fret so much. After all, it is still the middle of September. But you will remember that we got buried last year in October, and it did not go away until April. That is way too long. Heck, the youth even went to a Corn Maze at the end of October, and we had to walk it in the snow. Yuck! May God be gentler on us this year!
Anyway, Mary is back at school, with a fresher spirit, more computer skills, and a handful of new electronic toys to help her in her work. She is coming home each day a bit more relaxed, and more positive than last year. That is good for her, her health and the sanity of the household. Allison is back at school, finally in her much-waited-for program. She will be tested well this year. David, well, David is David. Still hoping to finish his associates degree, looking for a job, and enjoying his music. Angela is hoping to buy a home yet this Fall, and settle into the American Dream. Me? Well, I am still trying to get back to work, go to meetings, and continue leading this congregation down the way of the Gospel The ELCA's decision this summer does not help me do that, but family will be family.
So, I guess it is back to the grind. Continue the fight, the run, or whatever we are calling it these days, and praying that we can all keep our healthcare in tact.
I guess I shouldn't fret so much. After all, it is still the middle of September. But you will remember that we got buried last year in October, and it did not go away until April. That is way too long. Heck, the youth even went to a Corn Maze at the end of October, and we had to walk it in the snow. Yuck! May God be gentler on us this year!
Anyway, Mary is back at school, with a fresher spirit, more computer skills, and a handful of new electronic toys to help her in her work. She is coming home each day a bit more relaxed, and more positive than last year. That is good for her, her health and the sanity of the household. Allison is back at school, finally in her much-waited-for program. She will be tested well this year. David, well, David is David. Still hoping to finish his associates degree, looking for a job, and enjoying his music. Angela is hoping to buy a home yet this Fall, and settle into the American Dream. Me? Well, I am still trying to get back to work, go to meetings, and continue leading this congregation down the way of the Gospel The ELCA's decision this summer does not help me do that, but family will be family.
So, I guess it is back to the grind. Continue the fight, the run, or whatever we are calling it these days, and praying that we can all keep our healthcare in tact.
Monday, August 31, 2009
A Facelift Is in the Making
Change is in the making, this fall at Immanuel Lutheran Church. One of our newer members is a landscaper and he would like to help us make some changes in the landscape around the parsonage, the annex, the church, and the parking lot. I am so excited about what we are going to do, I cannot contain myself. This treasured member will donate the labor, Mary, the church and I will buy the plants, and watch how the space around this place will be transformed. We are ven thinking of installing a watering system next spring.
On a lesser note, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has approved the ordination of men and women you live in permanent same-sex relationships, commonly referred to as gays and lesbians. I was not in favor of this move, but it has been done, and now the congregation will have to make some decisions. I know that we are divided on this issue, and that one member has already expressed his opinion of never coming back to ILC. We will be discussing this issue the next several months, but I believe no action will be taken.
On a lighter side, Mary and I have been looking at houses in the area. We found a very nice one this morning, and we will be talking more about it. At present it is being rented, something we would plan on doing until I retire. There are so many things yet to consider about buying a house we would live in after retirement. I cannot even get used to the idea of that word, "retirement." Stay tuned for more on this issue.
On a lesser note, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has approved the ordination of men and women you live in permanent same-sex relationships, commonly referred to as gays and lesbians. I was not in favor of this move, but it has been done, and now the congregation will have to make some decisions. I know that we are divided on this issue, and that one member has already expressed his opinion of never coming back to ILC. We will be discussing this issue the next several months, but I believe no action will be taken.
On a lighter side, Mary and I have been looking at houses in the area. We found a very nice one this morning, and we will be talking more about it. At present it is being rented, something we would plan on doing until I retire. There are so many things yet to consider about buying a house we would live in after retirement. I cannot even get used to the idea of that word, "retirement." Stay tuned for more on this issue.
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