Internship Cluster

Yesterday my supervisor and I went to Shalom Hill Farm in Windom, MN for internship cluster. We met up with other interns and their supervisors from across the Southern State of MN into South Dakota to catch up on the joys and frustrations of internship so far. Pastor Nick and I carpooled with Seyward and her supervisor Fred, and Amanda and her Supervisor Peter. We met at Zumbro at 7AM... yes.... that early.. the SUN WAS NOT EVEN UP YET..... This was taken about 7:42 in the morning! It was beautiful... so I was grateful that I could be up early enough to witness this! So... we all rode for 3 hours together. We stopped at a rest area in Blue Earth on the way down... and took a few pics... Shadow pics are fun... and this "No need to be lonely thing"... Seyward spotted this... but it is true.. THERE IS NO NEED TO BE LONELY !

ANYWAY.... at cluster...we had great conversation about the importance of communication between supervisor and intern... I believe Pastor Nick and I are great at that. We have meetings every Tuesday at 11 to talk about what is going on in our lives; concerns, joys, needs, exciting news. It is not a time to set schedules for who is going to see who in the hospital, but more a check in time. Nick and I also are reading a book together so we can reflect together on it... ask questions... We just finished reading EAT, PRAY, LOVE By Elizabeth Gilbert.... it was wonderful... easy read. Now we started reading THE SHACK, by Paul Young... and I LOVE IT! I have not finished it yet, but it is a book I suggest everybody read! You end up asking a lot of questions and discerning your faith with this book... please read it! Anyway... We had a great lunch.. and explored the farm a bit. I had been there before on many occasions in college for retreats... They always have a ton of kitties running around, sheep, a llama, goats, a dog... it is a fun place to wander around.... here are some pics from the day!

All the INTERNS!!! YAY!










The roadtripers...


and A LLAMA! his name was chip!



It has been a busy week so far... I plan to head home for the weekend to be with a friend who is having surgery... keep her in your prayers... and then back in time for Sunday worship. Then it is off to Mankato from Sunday afternoon till Tuesday for a Theological Conference. Lots of speakers and many people from the cluster will be there so it will be good to be with all of them again. I also plan to make a trip back to Gustavus.. since I will be in the area... eat at the caf.. see some friends.. shop at the bookmark.... I CANT WAIT!.... I am sure I will have lots to report on when I return! THANKS BE TO GOD for all this busyness in life now... I am so thankful for all of it! The fast paced life... it really helps you appreciate the quiet time... when you can find it! Blessings! Mollie

Home.... sick....

I got to come home this weekend for a wedding that is taking place today.... Sunday at 1PM... which means I had to miss the big brunch for stewardship at Zumbro... but now it looks like I am going to miss the wedding too.... for some reason I got real sick after a dinner at Dave's parents last night.... which is a major bummer cause they smoked me hotdogs... which are soooo YUMMY!!! I don't know what got me so sick... but my tummy was not a happy camper last night... but it was nice to come home to my parents.... everyone knows that to be home in your own bed with your mom there.... just in case... always helps when you are sick! SO little shout out to my parents..... THANK YOU! YOU'RE GREAT!

Well... a few people in my life have requested my preaching schedule so they can come down and hear me share the good news... so for those who are curious and want to make time in their schedules... HERE YOU GO!

November 9th

December 14th AND 28th

February 8th

March 15th

April 19th

May 10 (Mother's Day)

Services are at 8:30 am and 11:00 am

Please let me know if you need directions!

Well I am going to rest and drink some flat Sierra Mist... don't be jealous.

Everyone have a great day!

Until next time!

Mollie

Just to get you all caught up...

I thought I would add some pictures from my last couple months here. Some highlights if you will!
I have been a busy bee at church, in Rochester, and life...attending weddings and finding a social life down here!

This month a group from Zumbro has been making lefse everyday for 2 weeks (with a week break in between) They are all so dedicated and so talented at this fine skill of rolling, cooking, flipping, wrapping... wow!

They even let me try... I became a pro... and LOVE IT! its fascinating!







On October 4th I was Jillian's personal attendant in her wedding! We had so much fun. Dave got to experience the rehearsal dinner, craziness morning before hand, wedding, and reception. It was a great time, and Jillian and Jeremy had a beautiful wedding! I got to wear a fun polka dot dress, and Dave got my favorite color blue for a boy button up shirt!!!






Just this last weekend... Dena, Tommy, and Dave came down for a fun night! We went to eat at one of my new favorite restaurants called HUHOT. You fill your bowl with meat, noodles, vegetables and create your own sauce... give it to the cooks, and they make it, right there! FRESH... made by you..just for you! You can go back as many times as you want!! I LOVE IT! Needless to say we had a great time!


AND FINALLY... Rachel, who works in the youth dept. at Zumbro, Seyward, intern at Our Saviors Lutheran in Rochester, and I, went to a high school football game to see our kids from church play! It was cold, but we had a great time with popcorn, mittens, and cold behinds.


OK... I think that is enough for now!!!

Until next time kids...
Mo-P

But EVERYONE IS DOING IT....

Alright, alright... I caved.... I now have a blog spot too for people to stay up to date with all that I am doing with my life.... I have found myself drawn to reading others' blogs and so I thought I would step out of my comfort zone and see how I do...

Well I am about 7 weeks into internship, and I am finally getting the hang of things. I am overwhelmed with the warm welcoming of the staff and congregation here at Zumbro Lutheran. Everyone wants to make sure I am settled in, knowing the right places to get gas, a carwash, a great burger... The feeling of community and genuine love for your neighbor is present in my new home, for the next 12 months.

Well, with hospital visits at MAYO CLINIC, leading healing services on Tuesday nights, preaching once a month, weekly meetings with my supervisor, confirmation, committee meetings to no end, and many more I could list but wont... I am keeping busy...that's for sure!!

There are times I miss home... family, friends, trivia, Dave, and the simple comfort of life I have known and lived in for years, but there is something extremly exciting about living on your own, in a new town! I know I know I am only 90 miles away (unlike some of my sem friends who are states away), but I am still living a life very different then what I am used to. I am truly starting to see the life of a parish pastor. Its incredible, and hard working, but sooo exciting and reward giving at the same time. I wake up each morning, having some idea of how the day is going to go, but each day plays out different.. and I am so so grateful for that.

Ok... that is enough for a first post....

until next time kids...