Birthdays, Bridal showers, and Bachelorette parties!

What a weekend! I went up to the cities for a few events this last weekend. It all started with going to see Godspell at Edina high school! WHAT A SHOW! I am in love with that musical... and the talent those Edina kids have in incredible!!! I get filled with the Holy spirit every time I hear those songs, day by day, Light of the world, all good gifts, we beseech thee! I LOVE IT!! Kat came with me because she knew the costumes designer... well and its more time for us to hang out!



Friday started with manicures and pedicures with Emiley, followed by lunch at Broders...mmm Italian, and then some shopping for a bit! Went home for a quick nap so I could be ready for my birthday party at Dave and Busters! Dinner was at 7 for about 20 people... Dave's parents ;Dave and Lynda came, along with his cousin and brother! What a family! I was surrounded with so many friends! They put us in a party room... although I never reserved one... nice! People kept showing up all through dinner! Some were complete surprises! (amber and Kevin)... it was so nice to have so many show up! After dinner we all went out and played games!!! Ski ball, trivia, racing games, basketball... so fun to resort back to our kid days of arcades and just have fun! more and more people showed up to play some games with me! Every where I turned it s like a new friend showed up!


Saturday Dave and I had a low key morning, waiting for his car to be fixed..then I had to get ready for Dana's shower and bachelorette party! Good food, present opening and fun games were played. We met family and all got to know each other! Then it was off to the bachelorette party. After all getting ready we headed to chino latino for appetizers and cocktails... then just had a fun night out on the town. I am realizing how much that is not my scene anymore. Dont get me wrong, the girls were all fun.. but loud music, big crowds, and chaos is not something I do on a regular basis anymore.





I woke up the next morning with NO voice.. I know.. me... no voice! I had to be a silent presence in church, and couldnt lead prayers or the benediction... Nick took over... no big deal...but its hard to be in ministry with no voice when that is what you use to pray, greet, and lead the people.

I am recovering now, and getting ready for the Synod assembly this weekend. But first, tomorrow I am heading to Luther Seminary for our previews day! Kids from all over are brought to luther by their church leaders to check it out...hoping maybe someday they will come to seminary... Ha.. i went as a senior in high school and look where I am at now!! So you never know......

Post Holy Week

Oh Gosh, it has been so long since I have posted! My apologies! It has been a whirl-wind of events and such! Where do I begin...?

Well Holy Week was amazing! I was able to be a part of all the services, stripping of the altar... bearing in the HUGE wooden cross... that was an amazing perspective.. I started complaining about how my shoulder hurt after holding that cross for a straight 20 minutes... then I stopped myself and realized that is NOTHING compared to what Jesus had done... so I was put in my place and it gave me a true perspective on that day, journey... although I wasnt even close to understanding... are any of us!?

Easter was amazing... the sanctuary was filled with flowers everywhere... smelled awesome, looked so beautiful! We had an incredible procession with banners and choirs, and bells, it was such a celebration! CHRIST is RISEN!!!

I then hopped in the car after the 3 services: 7,9, and 11... to head home to MPLS, where I took a well needed nap... then Dave and I headed to my parents for Easter dinner/ celebrate my birthday! ( we always celebrate my birthday on Easter).... family and friends gathered for great food, fun time opening presents, more food, and birthday cake and pie!!! MMMM.... I love birthdays...

I had Easter Monday off so I was able to sleep in, get some errands done in the cities, before I headed back to Rochester for another busy week at church.

We started up our mid week services again... and we are not having asl many people sign up to help as we wanted... so that is a struggle right now... I feel Im needed in 5 places at once... coffee, dinner serving, communion in the service, clean up... ok.. I am done venting...

Tuesday was my actual day of birth! I got many phone calls, text messages, and facebook postings! I truly felt so loved! My supervisor Nick took Dave and I out to Michaels for lunch... really great food.. and apparently you cant live in Rochester without experiencing Michaels.... Dave and I will be going back soon.

Many parishoners wished me a happy birthday with cards, flowers, and singing. I LOVE my church! The night of my birthday I started a 3 week book study on the Shack! It was agreta turn out... we had amazing discussion, and more birthday cake! HAHA.... I am looking forward to having the next two sessions.. we will really be diving into the questions about God and suffering, trinity, and justice! If you have not read the Shack yet.. PLEASE DO!

Well I preached yesterday on the "doubting Thomas" text... and it went really well.. I focused on how doubt is NOT the opposite of Faith and that what we are to do with that doubt... My parents, sister Casey came along with Dave and his parents.. it was great to have them there to look out at as I preached! We went back to my apartment after for bloody marys, memosas, and amazing egg bake!!! my friend and other Seminary Intern Seyward and Justin joined us! Fun conversation and delicious food! I am blessed!!

This week should be managable... not too much going on.. but enough to keep me out of trouble I think.

My birthday party is this Friday which I am looking forward to! Dave and Busters for dinner and games... CHUCKY CHEESE for Adults! Cant go wrong there!

Well thats a good catch up... hope all are well!!!

Oh gosh.. holy week....

Well.. after a three hour meeting today with the staff.. we went over the details of the 10 services that are coming up this week... 2 on Wednesday at Assisted living locations, 2 on Maunday Thursday, 2 on Good Friday( where I am the one to be 'Jesus', and carry in the HUGE wooden cross), an Easter rehearsal Saturday morning, an Easter Vigil Saturday night, and three services on Easter morning, 7, 9, and 11.

Lots of practice, costume changes(so to speak), specific instructions... so much time and effort has gone into these services that have been living off of Zumbro tradition for many many years! It is such an eye opener to be a part of the celebration of the Risen Christ... but I feel with all the work that is being put into it.. I myself am going to have to try extra hard to "worship" at these services. Since this is all so new to me, I have to pay extra attention to what is coming up next... I just hope I will not get so wrapped up in the production of it all, so I can see, witness, and feel the powerful presence of the crucifed and risen Christ in the prayers, music, procession, light and darkness, and drama that lies in the tradition of this Church.

Blessings to all this holy week! I will update as best as I am able!