Tween Time

Yeah . . . I think everyone had a good time.

Friday night we hosted a tween gathering for the kids from our homeschool co-op. We wanted to do something fun before we move, so we thought this would be the perfect opportunity for us to have the kids over. We had a bonfire and some outdoor things for the kids to do. I have to say with the crazy weather of Ohio and the fact it had been raining for a couple of days, I was a little worried about Friday night. But it was perfect. No rain, not too hot, not too humid, and comfortable temperatures.



We couldn't find Cassie, but when I went in to get my camera this is what I found . . . Holly trying to help Cassie understand her latest Algebra lesson. GO outside and have FUN!!




As the kids arrived, they made their way to the bonfire to cook their hot dogs. We had some of the basics, but then the kids all brought food or drinks to share with their peers. We had hot dogs, chips, watermelon, chips n' salsa, cookies, Rice Krispies treats, M&M's, juice, pop, and water w/flavor packs (yeah, Renners - such a great idea).




After everyone ate, they found various things to do . . .




Mackenzie showed Ethan the frog, maybe it's a toad, she and her siblings caught earlier in the day in our garage.




Our dog, Chloe, made lots of new friends. It was funny to sit back and watch as the kids divided up on their own, girls went one way and the boys went another. It seemed the little girls, Mackenzie and a couple of her friends, played badminton, and then found the tree swing, and tried out the gymnastics mat. The boys made it to the side yard to play baseball and then the girls played a game of volleyball.


















































After a while, someone yelled, "Let's play Capture the Flag!" And all - everyone of them - came running to the center of the yard to find out how to play. Girls vs. Boys, which by the way, I believe the girls out numbered the boys (almost 2:1, counting the three little girls). If we counted correctly, we had 22kids (19 tweens) running around the yard.

Jay explained the rules to all the kids and then they divided and conquered. They played two games, which occupied about 30 minutes of the evening.






After playing, we all gathered around the bonfire for SMORES!! YUM!




Okay, the picture above and below I took, but no one was in harms way. I guess the mode or speed made them look like this. I thought they were cool looking so I wanted to share.



















Then we found the Sparklers . . .




Mackenzie had to explain the her friends, Lindy & Paige, that they wouldn't get burnt because they fizzle out after a while. Both little girls were a little apprehensive, but eventually they took one and then another and another!!





























Well, the tween bonfire was a success thanks to everyone that was able to join us. We had fun having everyone here and we hope everyone had fun too.

By the way, as we were cleaning up after the last family left after 11:00 p.m., it started to rain. So, the weather held off for our perfect evening.

Moving Things Home

Twenty-one months ago, we rented a moving truck and moved a lot of personal belongings to Jay's internship site in Adamsville, Ohio. During this journey, there were certain educational and candidacy requirements to be completed. One of which was an internship serving at an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) under the supervision of the congregation's pastor.

This assignment was very unique for Jay. He was assigned to a two-point parish in Adamsville, Ohio, which included New Hope Lutheran Church and Zion Lutheran Church. The congregations did not have a permanent pastor, so Jay was supervised by the serving pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Coshocton, Ohio. Even though Jay's supervisor was off-sight, he still had valuable communication and interaction with him. This was the perfect scenario for Jay because he isn't one to just dip his toes in the water, he likes to just jump in head first. So, this was not the typical internship assignment with the occasional preaching, assisting with service, observing baptisms and funerals, and getting to know the community. Jay wrapped himself around this community and gave a lot of himself. He preached every Sunday at both churches, lead all services, baptized several babies -including his nephew-and an adult, did several funerals, organized/led Bible Studies, confirmed a group of kids that included his eldest daughter, helped organize and teach Sunday School and a summer day camp, and just immersed himself into the community activities.

The first twelve months, Jay lived in Adamsville at the parish's parsonage. He'd come home one night a week and then we would go up for some weekends for church or community events and then church. We didn't go every weekend as Cassie & I deliver the weekend Bag full of grocery and retail sale fliers. To make our trips/visits easier, we had everything we needed there so we didn't have to pack suitcases every time we went. However, there were a few things we'd still have to pack and take, but for the most part everything was there - of course, Jay needed a stocked kitchen for his meals. When I would make something at home, I'd make a smaller portion for Jay to keep in his freezer for his next meal.



Jay's internship requirement/contract ended in August of 2008, but the parish didn't receive another intern for the 08'-09' academic year, so Jay was able to continue to serve them while finishing his senior year at Trinity Lutheran Seminary. It was a welcoming opportunity as it gave Jay an opportunity to continue in this vocation he has been called to, strengthening his abilities while he continued to preach and lead services, and it provided our family with an income during his senior year. Unfortunately, this relationship has to come to an end as this parish has Called a permanent part-time pastor (one of Jay's classmates) and Jay awaits a church to Call him and affirm his calling. May 24, 2009 was the official end of his contract with the Adamsville Parish, but he will continue to preach the next three Sundays to fill the gap until Mary is able to take her place there.

The parish congregation had a joint service this past Sunday and a potluck meal as an opportunity for the members to come together to say farewell. After our meal and photos with families, we headed over to the parsonage to pack up the last of things. Jay has been packing things and bringing them back to the storage unit over the last couple of months. But we needed to pack up the last of it so we could move it all out.

Well, on Monday, Memorial Day, we went back to Adamsville for the Memorial Day Service held at New Hope Cemetery and then attended the Adamsville Fire Dept.'s fish fry. Jay's parents went up with us so we could take multiple vehicles to haul our belongings back. We were able to load up all three vehicles to the max and bring back the rest of our stuff!!



Here we made good use of Mackenzie's petite stature and gave her some height with the cushions from the two swivel chairs that were coming home and then we piled all of Jay's trading card collection in the back of the truck's cab.



I think we used every inch and space available to stuff so we didn't have to make anymore moving trips.

Well, all our personal belongings have made their way back to storage. And now we have started packing things here on the home front even though we still don't know when and where we will be going.

Update

Well, as I sit and type this we still don't know where we'll be going. When this all started we had no idea and I think I can honestly say at this point we still have no idea. Yes, Jay was assigned to the Western North Dakota Synod within the ELCA's Region 3; however, it doesn't appear there are as many vacancies there that are fitting for Jay and his mission. This so-called process the ELCA has to place it pastoral candidates just doesn't seem to be fool proof. I still don't understand the whole fill out a form to tell us about your gifts and we'll find the right fit for you. Plus, my understanding of a First-Call is it gives the "new" pastor an opportunity to get a lay of the land and then get a feel for what he wants his ministry to be. Well, Jay has been serving a congregation for almost two years - doing all the things one typically does in his first call. So, Jay has that additional experience and there's no doubt that he wants to do parish ministry.

At least we don't seem to be stuck if there isn't any opportunities within the synod he's been assigned. Jay has spoke with the bishop and is waiting for info regarding one last potential church near Bismarck, ND. However, if either party doesn't feel this is a potential good fit then it is the last "first-call" opportunity within this assigned synod. I wish this bishop would look at Jay's true gifts and this past two years of experience and realize that Jay is not your typical "first-call" candidate. Jay has much more to offer than the average "first-call" candidate. Being a second career candidate, he has life experience and then he has the managerial/cooperate experience from working in the cooperate world. Well, if this last congregation isn't a fit, evidently the bishop can release him from his synod assignment which will put him back into the Region 3 pool of eastern North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. As many of you know, we had preferred SD hoping to get closer to my family. Who knows, it still is possible if nothing works out in ND.

Okay, enough of my babbling . . . the bottom line, we still don't know where we are going or when we are going.

Graduation Ceremony

Well, after four years of schooling, Jay joined his class for the graduation ceremony. Jay was one of the 2009 Trinity Lutheran Seminary graduating class. The class received diplomas of Master of Arts in Church Music or Lay Ministry, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Divinity, and Master of Sacred Theology.

The class gathered at TLS and then they walked over to Capital University's Mees Hall together where the graduation ceremony took place.



Here the Crucifer leads the procession to Mees Hall.





Mackenzie and Zack were outside waiting, watching, and taking pictures . . . Mackenzie was excited to be able to use her new camera to take pictures of her daddy's big day.











Once the faculty, staff, and students were all in and seated, President Ramseth addressed the audience.





There were prayers, some singing, Scriptures, and then the commencement address. This gentleman, a Bishop-elect from Michigan, delivered that address, and he was a very dynamic and energetic preacher.




Time for the class to be presented . . .




Here Jay is waiting for his name to be read so he can FINALLY receive his diploma. I tried to take a picture of him actually receiving it, but it was blurry so this is the best I have.

We'd like to thank those individuals who were able to join us for the graduation. We'd also like to thank everyone for their support during this journey, and we'd like to ask for your continued support and prayers as we wait in the wings for a church to Call Jay.

Basket of flowers

Well, I made this cake at the request of our mail carrier. We have developed a unique friendship with our mail carrier, we will miss her when we move. The girls shared a piece of the Mother's Day cake with her, and in passing she asked if I could make a birthday cake for a friend's 60th surprise b-day. So, it's official . . . I have made my first cake that I got paid for. This is suppose to represent a basket of flowers in the grass.

I hope the party was great. Thank you, Debbie, for the opportunity to make the cake.

Brownies End of year recognition

Last night we got to see our Brownie in action.

Mackenzie's troop gathered last night for an end of the year recognition at the leader's house. It was such a nice evening.



The evening started with a flag ceremony. Here Mrs. Miller, the leader, is trying to get the girls situated so they can start.



After that, the girls read from note cards to share what they have done together this year. They did a lot of neat things. This year they scrapbooked, went horse back riding, visited an elderly friend (Mrs. Smith), put together a care box for the veterans, earned many try-its, went dancing, took an art class, and so many other things.




After they talked about all the neat things they did over the last year, they received things they have earned since their last recognition meeting in February. We tried to get as many try-its completed since we don't know what the troop situation will be like when we move. We still have several that Mackenzie only needs to finish one or two things for to earn, which now we'll be here a little longer so we'll keep working on them the next couple of months.

Mrs. Miller presented Mackenzie with her try-its and some other special things. She got her some very unique things for her vest to help her remember her time with her troop here in Ohio. My two favorites that she gave her were the "Ohio Girl" patch which is the shape of the state of Ohio and the "I Love My Leader" patch. Mackenzie sure loves her troop and her leader and I know she and I both are going to miss the special times she has with them.





After all the recognition was passed out, they closed with the friendship circle like they do for their meetings. Then we had cupcakes, cookies, brownies, and punch.

Thank you Margot for everything you do for these girls. I want to thank you too for always having a unique relationship with Mackenzie. You always made/make her feel comfortable in being at the meetings and at any outings you do as a troop. I think back to the first time the troop went horse back riding. She was so excited to go for the whole week and then when the day came to go she was in tears and didn't want to go, but you convinced me to let her come with her dad and before it was said and done she stayed with you and the troop for the afternoon - you even had enough lunch to share with her because she was so adamant she wouldn't stay we didn't send a sack lunch with her. THANK YOU for everything.

Graduation Day

Well, today is the day that Jay and his classmates graduate from seminary.

Congratulations!! We are very proud of your hard work and your commitment. During this four and one half years of schooling, you have continued to put us at the top of your list, finding time to do dad things and husband things while taking a full course load and working. We love you very much!!

OXOXOXOX Dag & your Crumb Crunchers

A special visitor

Our favorite little chunky monkey, Odie, came and hung out with us today. The kids had such a great time with him. He got lots of fresh air today. The girls took him for a walk around the neighborhood and played out under the shade trees in the yard with him.






Check out those rolls!! He's so cute!

We had a great time hanging out with Odie today. We are going to have to spend as much time with him as we can before we move.