Passin' Time

Isaiah's sleeping. Calie is at a baby shower. I have homework to do. But instead, I figured it was time for a quick blog update.

Things are going peachy-kean here in the Vera household. We are in an extreme season of countdowns. Countdown to graduation (13 days). Countdown until Ordination (June 13). Countdown until Calie's done with work (July 25). Countdown to moving (July 29). Countdown to Installation and beginning ministry at Bethlehem (August 15). Countdown to vacation (????). There are still a few more countdowns in there too but that should be definitely enough for now. Obviously we will be pretty busy the next few months as we close out our time here in St. Louis. Plenty of things to do and boxes to pack. Here's a quick run through of what lies ahead for us in the next few weeks...

• Sometime soon we will head to our future home in Sun Prairie, WI. We'll get to know the area, make our first cameo at our new church, and to do some house hunting. God-willing we will find the perfect house at just the right price (FYI: we are not proud people; donations are accepted). It really is overwhelming with all that comes along with being first time home buyers--loans, down payments, realtors, mortgages, fixed rates. Ahhhh! We just really hope to find the right house and figure out some way to pay for it. We know that regardless of what happens, God will provide as He always does. He has already shown us that we will be taken care of through some of the gracious offers we've received from members of Bethlehem, our soon-to-be congregation.
• In two weeks, I will finally graduate from Concordia Seminary. Wahoo! My parents, Grandma, and Uncle will be coming out to join in the graduation festivities on June 21st with us. It will be nice to see them and great to have family around as we close out this chapter of our lives. These events are always more fun when family is around, especially since we'd never have gotten to this point in our lives without them. Four years have come and gone so quickly!
• For a week June we will be heading east to New Jersey. My ordination will take place at my home congregation on the 13th and it will be great to share this day with the congregation that has watched me grow from when I was a baby and supported me for so long and in so many ways. Then we will stick around for the following week to visit with friends and family. Of course, we'll probably have to take a day trip to the good ol' Jersey Shore one of those days. Isaiah will spend plenty of time with Grandma and Grandpa while Calie and I hopefully get a chance to sit in the hot tub and relax a bit. Maybe we'll even get a chance to have a date night or two?!?
• July will continue to be busy as I hope to head north to MN for a week of fishing at the cabin and hopefully squeeze in a Twins game and a weekend to preach at Trinity Hudson. Calie will be gone for nearly two weeks in July with the LCMS National Youth Gathering. Isaiah and I have had a lot of fun on our past 'boy's weekend' but this is a long time to be without Mommy. I'm not sure how we'll survive.

Isaiah is up from his nap so it's time to close. That's enough for now anyway I suppose. Thanks for reading and being a part of our lives even if it is from a far. God's blessings to you all as the summer roles around...

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.

This is the Day the Lord has Made...

... I will rejoice and be glad in it!

Have you ever had a stretch in life where things were just good? We all have moments in life when we go through a rut or we are depressed and down in the dumps. But what about when things are hunky dory? What about when life is peachy kean? Give thanks in ALL circumstances... It is my guess that we seldom stop to thank God for the awesome goodness in our lives, "Give thanks to the Lord, our God and King, His Love Endures for Forever!"

I guess you could say I am in such a stretch right now. Granted I would much rather be up in Minnesota: (mid-summer) fishing, drinking a Mich Golden Light, watching the Twins and hanging out on the lake. Eric Church and Johnny Cash on the radio. Grumpy Old Men in the DVD when it starts to rain. But, all-in-all, life is good!

Last weekend, Calie and I spent some couple time together at a marriage retreat. We don't need to save our marriage or anything; I wanted to go to see if it would be a useful resource for me referring couples in pastoral counseling. What we personally gained was a real appreciation for the love and compatibility we have as a couple. No doubt, God had each of us in mind when He created us years and years ago. The joy, laughter, communication, fun, and intimacy (not in a gross way) that we share as a couple reminded us of how blessed we truly are to have each other. As I hear of friends with rocky relationships, it just makes me more grateful for the healthy, happy marriage Calie and I share. Bookend that retreat with some nice meals with Calie's parents who came down to babysit Isaiah and we had a great weekend.

Also this past week, Calie and I became proud Aunt and Uncle again to a precious baby niece, Reese. Congrats to Calie's sister Tressa and Drew! What a beautiful new miracle of God we have in our family. Unfortunately I can't look at too many pictures now because I'm not on Facebook during Lent but she is such a sweet, perfect little girl. We are so happy for them and Calie will be heading up to meet her in less than two weeks. Although, we do need a few new guys to join Isaiah in the mix. That's three girl cousins, with Megan and Mallory, and only one boy!

Anytime you see life born, or for that matter life taken away, it should make an impression, tug at your heart strings. It truly makes you appreciate the gift of life you have been given. A dear college friend of mine had a nephew pass away recently from cancer, not even six years of age. Such a sad story of life taken too soon, but yet God's grace and hope was present to comfort in the midst of grief. You can believe it made me squeeze Isaiah a little tighter. Hug him a little longer and pick him up a few extra times when he asked to get "bup" for a kiss or a conversation. He's currently on the upswing after battling a touch of pneumonia this past week. Your heart aches for them when they are sick, snot and drool flowing from their body. But you all the more hold them closer, love them harder, play longer, and thank God for the time you are given together.

Then there is seminary life. 36 days until Call Day; and though we do find ourselves getting anxious at times, more than anything we are ready to get out of here and get started and settled in somewhere else. Only 8 more weeks of classes. Softball intramurals have started, wahoo! Plus I have only three classes which meet only 2 days a week from 10:30-3:00 PM. By all accounts this is a pretty easy schedule and as a bonus these classes have actually been enjoyable and engaging for 2 weeks now. I don't think I've played a single game of FreeCell, Hearts, or searched the Internet!

That's just a quick synopsis. There are certainly a few other awesome newsworthy things going on right now but those blogs will come later. Until then rejoice in the day the Lord has made. It is my prayer that this Easter season will bring you all new hope, a renewed and joyful spirit, a grateful heart, and an unwavering faith in the resurrected Savior!

Ahhh

Ahhh, the smell of spring is here. Ahhh, new sleep number bed. Ahhh, full nights sleep. Ahhh.

Spring has begun here in St. Louis, which has made all of us very happy. Last night was the first night we slept with our windows open in a very long time! We have been able to play outside, take walks, go to the zoo, and even start the softball season once again!

Steve has begun his last quarter of classes. We have about 47 days until we find out our next location. Two months until we are done, 4 1/2 months until we move. YIPPEEE! This quarter Steve only has classes two days a week, so he gets to hang out with Isaiah for two days, and study one whole day. What a schedule!

I am getting busier with work. Still working on Isaiah's scrapbook, and trying to finish Steve's graduation present.

Isaiah has fully recovered from the flu and ear infection. He has been sleeping better, thank goodness. He is getting more and more brave with his walking. He has really good fine motor skills, and uses a fork better than I have seen some adults. He talks more and more each day, even though we can't understand him.

I have posted some pictures for you all. Some are old, some are new, but please enjoy them all!