More training needed

Setting: Church Kitchen, serving a special function.
Mom pleased Leah is such a good little helper to the ladies league.

Mom is refilling lemonade when looks up to see Leah batting her eyelashes to line cut, and get a plateful before all the men in suits take all the good food. Mom has the sense to take her out of line, but not without her protesting that she wants a potato and SOUR CREAM. Partial plate back on the kitchen counter and a quiet lesson in polite serving of our guests, and yes that means there might not be enough left for the servers. The ladies are supportive, however some smiling... that yes the women here eat last... but there is always enough food.

So much for this PW to learn... explaining the role of being a lady to a Pastors daughter just jump up in high priority. This includes not licking out her little sour cream cup! Later she was such a great little help with cleaning off tables and wiping dishes.

Later from Dad
"Leah come up to me and said she was so jealous of me sitting down to eat. She had ham and corn, but couldn't eat it". :-)))

I wonder if the Ladies League has a special "Miss Manners for PDs!"

HE HAS RISEN!!! HE HAS RISEN INDEED!!

Happy Easter to you all!

Dear Fashion Designer and Small Town store buyers,

Easter comes every Spring. And Easter clothes should reflect the same... that means light, happy colors. The blacks, greys, and deep purples are winter colors. Why does every blouse, skirt and dress (in my size) come only in black, grey or deep purple? Of course I did have the option of Alfred*Dunner outfits! And I briefly considered it's pastel Calla Lilies, until I realized I'd probably match an elderly lady at church! So This Pastor's wife is wearing a trusty black skirt with a deep purple blouse that has a fake dickey sewn in to hide cleavage (That is a whole other issue I could bring up!) But never fear, I have found a new friend in the pretty silky neck scarf! A whole wall full of options. I can find the deep purples combined with teal and a pretty pink and a little black... you know - Spring colors. Another plus with a scarf is hidden cleavage! So the Fashion world has figured out how to add another $12 to the price of an outfit to add color and cleavage control.

On a side note, with every store that I visited this week in small town mall's 3 department stores, plus the big box stores. I'd say to myself... "God does not care in the least what I wear to church, and even if my clothes are a dark color... what is in my heart matters the most. So true!!! Hopefully soon I'll be much more secure in my new role as PW.

Blessed Easter everyone!!!

The journey continues

I seldom write about my job or patients... because it's their stories and out of respect and professionalism, it's just not right. This blog started because of the seminary years and our journey to always trust in our heavenly father... no matter how frightening or confusing our life had become. I am afraid my faith will never become to the level I or more importantly what God desires, but I have discovered faith is more of a process, than a decision made with an immediate result. I have looked for this miracle for years as I specialize in worrying!

I think I enjoy my job so much because of how close I can be to witnessing heaven through my patients. I find more comfort then sadness (most days anyway). Since my hire back at the Des Moines Hospice and now with my second hire at the local hospice, I just am amazed and sincerely know that I am placed in just the right places in God's timing. Several times in DSM, I have cared for people and their families, that I have known and respected deeply. Many "God-instances". Hopefully, I was able to share God's love and peace through my hands and words.

Yesterday, my mind and heart was on fire, with so many "God-instances". I was scheduled to work, Sunday, but a sweet co-worker volunteered to trade with me, when she learned it was Gotcha Day. I was grateful, but also curious to see what God would do with Tuesday. To be brief, I was able to share God's love with numerous fellow Lutherans. At one point, I had called in 3 Pastors. (one being my husband, Thanks Honey!), to help ease the pain and bring God's love to comfort the dying and grieving. I hope I ease the fear of the dying, with touch and encouragement to grasp Christ' hand when called. I know my nursing and hospice technique well, but God asked so much more and it is a sheer priveledge to do his work. It is exhausting though!

I am also discovering small town life brings more awareness of the sadness, as I will meet surviving neighbors and fellow parsishers frequently and I will search for more ways to be of help to them. Many times in Big City Hospice... I remember the stories, but never see those involved again. I fear God has more oppurtunities for me to grow and I hope I can alway remember to put my trust and faith in him to do his work even in my new community.

God, I pray for further strength and guidance in learning to trust in you always!

Sunday School XMAS program

The best part of the weekend was the Sunday School Christmas program. Leah placed some of the "Savior's Nations" flags around the alter rail (you can see that it is round!) Luke was Joseph and a proud one at that! He had to go early with his Pastor Dad, as Mom might run too late (with 2 cousins coming too!) The program was so sweet, bring tears to my eyes. I was so proud of each and every one of them. I guess I am starting to love the whole congregation! (still have probably 60% of the names to learn though!). The pictures are taken from my usual front row spot and I LOVE looking up at the cross and stained glass above.

Busy = confusion

Did I mention how much we love living back in Central Iowa? My in laws had a birthday party to attend about an hour away, so spent the night with us. The kids (even us big kids) LOVE having Grandpa and Grandma so close). Good Times!! Our church had planned a "get to know the Pastor and family" potluck, so the timing was great.

I'm blaming the stress of motherhood and the extra worry of cooking. Bible study was cancelled to allow for the cooking of yummy potluck dishes. But the kids still had Sunday school. I went home with R and M to cook Party Potato casserole. Since we had a little time, I navigated my in laws through a little detour downtown. All is great, until we try to open the front door, without the keys that are in Luke's pocket back at at Sunday school 15 minutes away. So back to church, and then I realized there was not enough time to bake the casserole, so off to Hyvee to buy a salad. My mother in law was such a dear to ask if I wanted her to come in. I hesitated just a sec, and then readily agreed... because I had no money!!! My father in law claims that "time with Patty is always interesting"! (((As a reminder... I don't carry a purse, because for 3 years in Seminary City, I traveled so many hospitals and only carried a cash card and my driver's license, in part to avoid theft.... but more likely to not leave a purse in one of the many hospitals. Trying to be a good Pastor's wife, I tried carrying a purse for 1 week until I left it in a city restaurant 3 hours away!!! Thank heavens I didn't have my little pocket wallet, as I didn't trust myself to not lose it! It did have my sorry excuse for a camera... ((still can't download to computer)), but had a memory card full of pics so am forever grateful to good friends Matt and Shelley for rescuing it =-)) Luke often carries the keys because my "Pastor's wife" dresses don't have pockets.

The third time back to church with my bought salad in a pretty glass bowl, I commented how well my father in law was navigating our new town!! There is a silver lining to all of my flubs!! Thanks R and M for being such great sports and so helpful!!!!!

The best part of the day was to come, such a nice dinner with our new congregation. I got my nerve up and talked to every single one of them... and am actually making connections and memorizing names. The food and house shower for us was such a wonderful surprise!! What a blessing these souls are!!! Maybe one of them can teach me how to sew a little pocket in my dresses, because my inlaws can't come to church with me every sunday!

Who did you mean?

The appliance man today called and asked if Pastor would be willing to help him move in the refridgerator on moving day. I told him the Pastor would have already moved to his new town by then. There was pause, until he clarified MY HUSBAND was the Pastor he was referring too! Seeing it in print and hearing it feels weird! I have to get use to it though.... ordination is in only 12 days!

Blog block

This is a severely neglected blog. Poor thing, you could call blog welfare and it still would be neglected. My head and heart just don’t have the energy to find the words to describe the call process. I am really trying to put my faith and trust in God. I feel like I’m doing it and then I break out in zits (won’t they be lovely for Call Day!) I love Chris Rice… and this song gives me comfort and makes sense to me.

The Chorus.....

Why does the past always seem safer?
Maybe because at least we know me made it
And why do we worry about the future?
When every day will come just the way the Lord ordained it
You can believe it, yeah, just like the 8th grade

You may have noticed the change from KLove to Luke 12 last month. I truly know God is in control. Thanks to GOD!, if I was in control... what mistakes could be made. Praise to God for his faithfulness and prayers for help to keep trust in HIM! I a prayer that Call Day comes quickly!

Easter Highlights

What a wonderful (yet busy) Easter

Highlights (since this is obviously backdated)

Ed is exhausted after his first time ever preparing and preaching 4 sermons in 8 days. He did a wonderful job and was so enthusiastic with sharing HE IS RISEN!

The church is beautiful! We had a great breakfast that the youth prepared (just like our former home church)

AND GRANDMA is here (she brought Grandpa and Jessi too). It is so wonderful to be close enough for visits like this. We had a nice dinner with my Aunt C and Cousin J also. I only burned the top of the potato casserole a little and the rest of the food was good. Thanks Grandma and Aunt C for the help!

I need to add one story that Jessi would kill me about... but here goes, because she just might think you'd convince me she was right.

At bedtime, the night before sunrise service, Grandma asks to see the outfit Jessi plans to wear. Nice broom textured skirt. Nice black tube top.... with a red bra underneath. Ahem... Jessi that's not appropriate for our country church, especially on Easter. She was suppose to be getting her clothes back on the go to Wally World, but I go into Leah's room to find her texting someone rapidly about how mean and weird Grandma and Aunt Patty is. Next to her is my Leah, chin in hands, just as dejected posture as Jessi has. She agrees with Jessi!! We are so in trouble when Leah is 15 (if not before). I'm hoping the princess dresses stay around a long time... anyway. Off to Wallyworld they go, and bring back a nice black cover up jacket. At church, Ed comments "You look so nice", Jessi mutters under her breath.... Yeah, I look Amish! We are so glad she came to visit, even if she had to dress like a young Amish women to fit it!

Today, I went for my post op visit.... all is well. Boy, do I recommend a robotic surgery! Still planning for Call Day. We are excited!~

Good times! I went shopping for an Easter/Call Day/Graduation Dress. A little history: I hate shopping. I didn't really like even when I was a size 6 and had a little discretionary spending in our budget. I didn't know how good I had it!

To make a long depressing story short and to the point. I had a coupon for Jc Penny, and I needed a conservative dress. I took every black and white dress in my size into the dressing room and locked myself in until I had two dresses that I could live with. Then my Mother in law and my daughter could tell me which one was the best.

My mother in law liked this one.




My daughter liked this one.



I liked how this one's belt draws the eye away from my ample bust.... so it won out and good thing as Leah's favorite was being worn by a much older women on Easter Morning in the choir! WHEW! I HATE shopping!

Watch Out for the ICE

Well the storm did hit. But it did not leave 6-12 inches of wet snow. The warmer roads melted most all and the mushy dusting on the grass melted by mid day. Ed was able to complete confirmation. Now the children are just being pelted with little torpedoes of ice falling off the trees and roof. Weird!! Hopefully spring is just right around the corner. Spring for Easter would be great!!!!

Differences of opinion

I LOVE OUR CONGREGATION!! Every night a hot wonderful delicious supper comes to our door by 6. Most of the women are older and all of them KNOW HOW TO COOK!
WE ARE BLESSED!!!

Leah doesn't agree.

Last night driving home from the sitter...

Leah: What is for supper tonight?
Me: I don't know, some nice grandma from church is bringing us supper.
Leah: (all too common lately, hysterical fit with tears) I don't want a grandma supper.
Me: But it's such GOOD FOOD!
Leah: I don't want GOOD food...... I want OUR food!

Boy, doesn't that speak volumes on my cooking!

Random Bullets

My blog has been seriously neglected! Here's what we have been up to the past 2 weeks.

* Yesterday was GOTCHA DAY. 9 years ago the Judge said YES!!! The kids have so much fun (and so do Mom and Dad) just having a special day for the 4 of us. We celebrated a night early by going to finally get Leah's 5 year old pictures, pictures with American Girl, Marissa and some retakes of Luke's fall school pictures. Then we dined at IHOP. Luke's favorite..... funny face pancakes. Luke loves rehearing the adoption story and we love sneaking in extra hugs and whispering the judge said "YES". We are also sadly praying for good friends of ours that recently heard a "NO". The tremendous blessing of adoption and God's precious ways of creating family is not lost on us.

*SATURDAY MORNINGS and some afternoons are spent around YMCA boys basketball. Luke has decided this is his sport and really gets into it!

* Preparing for a NEW NIECE. Last weekend we went to DSM and helped finish up her nursery. My sister kept saying it's not PINK enough. Turns out Leah is a little jealous.... pink is her color! Sorry Leah.... but take heart there is enough glittery pink for many girls! Folding Leah's hand me downs into the new princess' drawers is a huge eye opener. The past 5 years have flown by!

* I am 90 percent sure I will be having "female surgery" on Wednesday in DSM.(Male readers can turn away now) The past 6 weeks have been spent in some pain and getting tests and second opinions. My doctor wanted to do a robotic laproscopy to save as much as possible... but scheduling has been difficult as the Robot is pretty popular. I definitely need my left ovary removed and endometriosis burned. But on Friday, my doctor decided to do a complete hysterectomy. I am actually looking forward to a completion of this!

* I am also planning a trip to Seminary City in 58 some days. Not that we are counting! We did find out that we will be moving somewhere hopefully in Iowa. Ed will be getting a smaller church and our vicarage church will be looking for a Pastor that can continue the Vicarage program that has been a blessing to the church and the seminaries as well. A pastor needs to have 5 years of experience before training a vicar. We have been grateful for this experience and are anxious to hear what plans God has for Ed and our family. Soon we will be getting out the boxes.

More changes and more Blessings for our family!

Jailed!!!!

Thanks to all of you that bailed my husband out of jail. The $1600 was a bit steep for a vicar's salary! Now the jail didn't exactly look like this one. The ground around it isn't white enough! Ed was quite comfortable in the ice cream parlor, but was burning up the blackberry calling for money. So were the other 6 "jail birds". I had a very worried 5 year old.... "not my daddy", even if it was just pretend for the MD association! He was granted visiting rights and she was much happier eating the pizza and chicken he was provided. He was let go 90 minutes later on good behavior. Thanks again! And I hope my mother in law has recovered from her mini heart attack getting the "Mom I'm in jail call!"

Just what is she studying?

Leah is learning the Lord's Prayer, one line at a time. She was so excited to repeat after me. "Our father, who Arf in heaven" and clap loudly just like our high school football cheerleaders! After every cheer, they slide their hands while clapping and say "Arf, Arf, Arf". (because we are the mighty bulldogs)

The greatest of these is LOVE

So often I am tense after church. It is not unusual to have one or two of my charges in their rooms after church for blurting, fighting or general disrespect during church. It has been getting so much better. Mostly due to the fact we sit right up front. No, not because Dad can keep a stern eye on them....he has many more things to worry about. I have found that the older congregants sit up front and my Leah in particular is a tad scared of the men, and becomes a meek little kitten. Today, much of the service was spent with Luke's arm around his sister, whispering encouragement with her little activity book or rubbing her back. My heart beamed with pride. I so often feel like I am failing as a mother.....this week was filled with many time outs, grounding, and overall discouragement. Impulse control, drama and general childhood fun will continue to test my parenting. But,God has shown me that my children have learned compassion and love and LOVE each other.
But now faith, hope, and love remain--these three. The greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13

New Job!

God is Good! I did receive the new job...driving only 6 miles (reimbursed), and working only during school hours -3 days a week. Calling our new babysitter to discuss the hours made me cry "Mommy Happy Tears". There is only a 1/2 hour between schools out and Mom is home. No weekends, no evenings, no holidays or school breaks.....roads bad enough to cancel school...... = SNOW DAY for Mom too. It's the easy life of a teacher.......... HA HA HA. Teachers are worth their weight in GOLD!!!! It was suggested that I could be a classroom presence to ease the stress of the teacher and behavioral problems of students. I expected as much and I know I will be blessed in many ways from this position. Telling the former job offer was easier than I feared.....she understood a Mama's dilemma.

My husband is very happy. This will relieve his stress in many ways. This weekend's prayers were about finding peace in our decision with the job decision. On Saturday night, Ed was called to the hospital to pray with a teen before a surgery. If I was working evenings and weekends..... he would have to have a backup person to come and stay with the kids, delay his hospital visit or not go at all. He did not return home until midnight. Neither option would have been good. So we are content with the job decision and trusting God that the future is in his hands.

Difficult decisions remain on the church front. Muddling through grief is hard. I have no idea how one does this without prayer. Thank you for your prayers!!

Thank you for your prayers

Well it has been a long week. We have appreciated all of your prayers. The visitation and funeral were well attended, as expected due to how loved Pastor was. A former vicar and the president of the District performed the beautiful service and Pastor's son and wife spoke such messages of hope. They were amazing. I know I could never be so put together and share messages of hope. God is powerful to give such strength. The funeral was healing and now there is a feeling of need to pick up pieces and grow together. It is amazing to watch and exhausting at the same time. Ed and I were asked to sit with the other pastors and wives. Awe inspiring. To hear 45 pastors singing with all of their hearts, 'Abide in Me'....sends shivers down one's spine. My in laws came to watch the kids at the funeral and I am so grateful.

Several times in the past week, Ed's focus, strength and faith has brought me to tears. I have faith in my husband- but to watch it....makes trusting God even easier. Truly, we are taking just one day at a time and praying for every step we take. This is the only way to find our way. The District president asked a retired pastor to preach this week's sermon. Ed just did not have time. He did well last week adapting a sermon from one of his Sem classes....but this week he is so grateful to focus on the hundred other areas that require his attention. Your prayers, emails and support have been felt and so much appreciated.

I accepted a RN position in the nearby small city. I am very excited about it, however received another call today regarding a community position attending to the needs of a child in the public school. Ed and I are praying about this as would offer so much more stability for the kids. When God provides, he provides so much!!! Lots to pray about this weekend and a decision to be made on Monday. Leaning on God's guidance and prayers!

Prayers for our new church

Please pray for our new church home as Ed's supervising Pastor died Friday morning. He was such a remarkable man and wonderful Pastor. His family is full of grief as is his many friends and congregation. We are so grateful for the 3 short weeks we knew him and knew right away why so many loved him. At present, they will not call a new pastor and Ed will assume most of Pastor's duties. A neighboring Pastor is being sought to offer guidance. We know Ed was called here for a reason and Ed will be staying as this church's Vicar. What the future holds is completely in God's all knowing and loving hands.

Learning to trust God has far more meaning to our new church and our family. Prayers are appreciated for this week with funeral proceedings and in the coming months as everything changes. Thank you.

WOW!

I am now known as Vicar's wife. It's hard to wrap my mind around this title. And in just a year......should be Pastor's wife! WOW!