Bring on those Badgers!

After years of waiting, the day has finally come and gone. No more countdowns. No more guessing. No more stress or anxiety. In what was a beautiful Tuesday in St. Louis, Calie and I received our first call into ministry at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. I was called as the associate pastor (meaning they already have another pastor), with a specific emphasis on youth ministry and contemporary worship.

We are ecstatic! So beyond excited to be heading back up north, even if it is Packer Country! No worries, we will not become cheeseheads. Our family is committed to staying true to Twins baseball and Calie will never relinquish her allegiance to MN Vikings football. We truly felt throughout this whole placement process that this congregation would be a great fit. And thanks be to Him that our intuitions were right in line with our good and great God. There is no question in our minds that we are going to the perfect place for us, and we can't wait to get started! At some point this summer we will move back up north to begin this wonderful new chapter in our lives.

That's just a quick update. More information will soon follow. We still have a few months here in St. Louis. I need to finish school (23 days away). Calie needs to finish work and attend the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans. Isaiah has many, many more step-climbing and playground hours to log. Plus we'll head out to NJ in early June for ordination, and hopefully take a week or two beginning in August to relax and recharge our batteries. But God is go good and we are so grateful to be able to serve Him and share Christ in our new home--Sun Prairie, WI. Thanks to all of you who watched, prayed, and supported us along the way!

Isaiah's 1st Twins Game!

New, Overdue Pictures

and the days go by...

The countdown is ticking away, and the excitement is growing. Actually that's not true. I am tired of the hype. I just want to know where the next move will bring us. At this point I don't even need a big fancy ceremony, I would settle for an email or text. Anything really.

It seems the days are full of all sorts of stuff: softball, doctor visits (Isaiah has been to the doctor 4 times in the last month...Ugh), playing outside, and the random things life throws your way. I couldn't even tell you why we have been so busy, but the days are always full somehow.

Everyone in our household is doing well. Steve is actually enjoying his last quarter of classes. He told me the other day he hasn't even had to turn on the computer games during class. He continues to be busy with homework and playing softball. Since he only has classes two days a week, he also has more family time which Isaiah and I have been eating up!

I am still busy at work. I am counting the days until I am unemployed. I know most people would be scared, but I am overjoyed. I can't wait to spend everyday with my men, and focus solely on them. I am trying to finish Steve's graduation gift. The goal is to be done by Call Day so my Mom can help with the finishing touches. I am also feverishly working on catching up on my scrap booking. I am only about 9 months behind.

Isaiah is getting faster and faster each day. He learned how to get up from standing a couple of weeks ago, and now he thinks that he is hot stuff. He wants to cruise up and down any possible staircase we pass. He LOVES to play outside, and the only way to get him back inside is to promise him food. I think that he will do almost anything for food! He loves to play with balls, and he throws everything. And I mean everything including silverware and food. I have been pelted by almost every type of food. Last night we were enjoying a great dinner when a teething biscuit flew past my face. Didn't see that coming at all! But he is still the sweetest little thing that you have ever seen.

Life here is good. Leave us a message to the right to let us know how you are!



By the way, sorry for the lack of pictures...we have them, I just need to get them on here. Maybe tomorrow.