SPAM MUSEUM!

We have staff retreats about 2 to 3 times a year. These retreat consist of leaving the church...doing something fun, eating lunch somewhere, then having an extensive meeting, usually lasting 3-3.5 hours talking about the calendar( for the next 6 months). Since the SPAM Museum was only 40 minutes away in Austin, MN...Nick suggested we go!!

So off we went... as a staff.. in 2 vans... to the museum... where lots of fun took place, lots of facts were read and experienced. Its nice to hang out with your staff outside of work.. there is almost a whole different side to them when you step out of the office and just enjoy each others company.



After the museum we ate at a place across the street called Jerry's Other Place. Spam was on the menu in different forms. We ordered a couple orders of spam sticks... they we like deep fried spam... the batter was SO delicious, and the spam was not half bad... salty ham... pretty much...
but I would never eat it cold... although you can. After my BLT and strawberry rhubarb pie we all piled in the vans again.. and headed to St. Olaf Church in Austin, where Nick served as pastor before he became bishop of the South Eastern Synod.

We got a tour of their new remodeled church!!! Zumbro is needing some updating, so that tour gave us some great ideas! ;)

We had a productive meeting and talked about events up through next fall! So strange that when people starting talking about anything post August... I knew I was not going to be there. A couple times people turned to me, expecting my involvement(habit), forgetting I was not going to be there after August 16th. :( So sad.... I feel so at home...not being a part of Zumbro's plans for next fall makes me realize how lucky I am to have had such a great experience here.

We then headed back to Zumbro after our long meeting... that day took a lot out of me... but it was a a day that needed to be had.. by all the staff!!

Proud to be a woman!

I was invited this last Saturday to ZWELCA (Zumbro women of the ELCA) lunch to celebrate all our birthdays. There were about 9 tables... and at each table was a host, who got to decorate the table however she wanted... each table had it's own theme! Then each host was able to invite 7 other women to sit at her table... that is how you were able to come... I was invited by Annette... I didnt know how lucky I was to be invited until I got there. At first I thought it was going to be another church lunch deal... some food and fellowship... and although there was nothing wrong with THAT... it WAS a Saturday... a typical day off for me... so as a intern pastor... you kind of are still "working in a sense" by simply being there.... but I was honored none the less...

The theme for the lunch was bold women. "Such is the confidence we have through Christ...since then, we have such a hope, we act with great BOLDNESS." 2 Corinthians 3: 4-6, 12

The mission for the women of the ELCA is "To mobilize women to act boldly on their faith in Jesus Christ."








They had 4 speakers who talked about how they are acting boldly in this world! It was after these speakers I have never been more proud of being a woman.. in my life!!!

1. Jan Vetter(very active member of our church) talked about her mother and friend who have inspired her to start the adopt-a-family program... she is a rock star at it.. so organized... so passionate about her work!

2. Annette Godtland- Spoke of her experience giving up her daughter for adoption. So many times you hear the side of the adoptive parents and their experience...but she told the side of becoming pregnant and making the bold decision to give her daughter up for adoption... and then being contacted 25 years later by her daughter... reconnecting with her and how that has impacted her life so far.... proud to have been a part of her daughter's life now.. witnessing her daughter's son's baptism... knowing... if she would not have made this bold choice... look at what would NOT have happened....

3. Jill Youse- a little older than me... While breastfeeding her first child, Jill realized she had a "weath of frozen unused milk" and made a bold choice by originating both the International Breast Milk Project and the nonprofit supporting it today, enabling HIV babies in Africa to receive nature's perfect formula and a better chance for life. IBMP is the only organization in the world to send large-scale provisions of donor breast mild to infants unable to naturally breastfeed in Africa!

4. Judy Weller- Started a fundraiser where she boldly runs marathons to support the Boys & Girls Club.... she collects pledges for every step she runs... 100K's!!!! her Goal is to raise 100,000.... she has raised about 45,000 so far!!! She is determined to finish!
Annette, Jan, and Judy...(Sadly Jill had to leave early and couldnt make the picture)


Each woman was so remarkable.. and have made such BOLD decisions and actions! I can only hope I can do the same in my ministry... or to whatever God is calling me to do!

"There is no more liberating, no more exhilarating experience than to determine one's position, state it bravely, and then to act BOLDLY!" - Eleanor Roosevelt

My fun name tag... I was at the LOON table!

Week highlights

It has been a busy but great week.. I thought I would make a list of some highlights!

1. I am working with another woman from church on redecorating our lounge... new tables, new fabric coverings! So exciting!

2. We did a run through for our Wednesday Evening worship (Gather 2Gether)... it went so smooth, we are ready!

3. I had a great lunch with a parishioner...so bright and illuminate God's light!

4. Taught confirmation kids about forgiveness... I truly get my energy from them... it only affirms that children/ youth/ family ministry is my calling.

5. Had a great double date dinner with Dave, and a couple we havent seen in a long long time. So great to reconnect!

6. Met the little girls of 2 of my high school girlfriends when I was home... My we are sure growing up fast!

7. Gave a adult forum presentation on Sunday on the Bible Book of Faith Initiative... despite some technical difficulties it went really well... and people are excited to get it up and running at church!

8. Great super bowl party at my place.. small but tasty food, and great company!

9. I am preaching this Sunday and I have already got the majority of my sermon done!

10. I finally get to learn how to make coffee here at church... my supervisor says it has become one of my requirements for internship!

I am looking forward to "nice weather" later this week.... highs of 35!!! YESS! But I will be a busy gal working on Wednesday nights... Youth Sunday/preaching... and lent is only 2 short weeks away!

Blessings to all!

Mo-P