Youth Gathering Update

As I am taking some time to cool off in the convention center.. I decided to take a few moments in the Adult Academy computer lab to blog a bit. The kids are in the learning center doing workshops of their choice... some of these worshops include:Jesus Christ Movie Star- looking at Jesus in movies and how those images help shape our faithLuck of the draw- What does it mean to live on less than one dollar a day. Learn about poverty around the world.Writing stories for Healing- learn how to write your stories as an act of prayer and healing.Who's got the cheese?- How rich or poor do you feel?Learn more on your perception of wealth and poverty.Such great learning experiences.. all at our fingertips.. we are truly blessed here at the gathering.Where I am- the Adult Academy- are rooms including-The Oasis- dark room where you can rest on comfy couches and chairs. A station to charge your phone, I pod, camera, tables of loation, prayer bokos, soothing sounds. A real relaxing place to decompress, and catch your breath!A computer lab, to upload pics, email, BLOG, print things if needed.A resource room for youth and family ministry.A room to sit around tables and share in conversation about the gathering or what ever adult chaparones want to discuss!Its nice that even the adults can have some of their needs met. Its hard to not follow the kids and their activities!We have been having such a blast so far! The adults have been saing to each other how blessed we are to have such a great group of kids with us! We are loving it! The humidness is a little much for me personally but we are surviving. Thank you God for Air coniditioning!Hope all are doing well at home!Until next time....

On the bus.,....

I am on the bus... with wireless of course... on my way to the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans. We left Yesterday (Tuesday) at 10:30am... it is now Wednesday at 6:45 am.... we have stopped 4 times for potty breaks/food and beverage breaks. We had a nice dinner in St. Louis. All the kids (36) went to the mall to eat/shop till 9pm. All the adults headed to Chilis for a dinner and pow-wow for our wild week ahead.

The ELCA National Youth Gathering is something that takes place every three years. Churches from all over the US gather with high school kids to worship, learn, share in service and experience together. There will be about 30,000 of us total. What an experience that will be. The theme for this year is JESUS, JUSTICE, and JAZZ! Im excited to see how it all ties in.

We are staying at a hotel right in the chaos of it all... across the street from the french quarter. Im looking forward to seeing all my Seminary friends who are now pastors in churches and the ones who are still on internship like me.

We stay till Sunday morning.. then following worship we will hop on the bus for our 19 hour bus ride home. I am hoping to do some blogging while down on the trip... we will see what time permits!

Well because of wireless I have been able to blog... and register for senior fall classes... since I PASSED the BPE(Bible Proficiency Exam),,,, I know I have been putting it off forever...but I passed it this last Monday with a 93%, The hold on my account has been lifted.. along with the huge weights off my shoulders to get it done!

Ok time for a bathroom break!

Transition time!

Well... today was officially my supervisor's last day in the office. He will be in church on Sunday to preach his final sermon and so everyone can give him a proper goodbye.. but then he is out the door.. on retirement.... again... for his third time. Pastor Nick was the interim directing pastor. For those of you who are unfamiliar... its sorta like a substitute... until a new pastor is called to the church. He was with Zumbro for about a year... and lucky for me he was my supervisor. Nick was fabulous and such a strong leader. He was Bishop of the South Eastern Synod for 14 years.. so he knows his stuff! He did such a great job at guiding me and the rest of Zumbro through this transition time. The new directing pastor, Vern Christopherson wont be starting officially till the 1st of September, but he will be in and out and "directing" from his home town till he gets settled in to Rochester.

So once Pastor Nick leaves.... we are also having our visitation pastor Jim retiring too. After 8 years of serving at Zumbro Pastor Jim's last Sunday will be August 2.

One week later... Rachel Arends, the middle school director, and my dear friend will be leaving as well for she has accepted a postition at another church... in Maple Grove, MN. I am happy because she will be coming back up to the cities with me! I know I am selfish.

Then one week after that I will be having my last Sunday at Zumbro... August 16th. So many transitions at Zumbro, my goodness... There is nothing at all WRONG with Zumbro... its just a changing time.... thats all... its exciting to know that they will be having amazing new people joining the staff to continue ministry.

Well... I have a date set to finish my internship evaluation with my supervisor... the internship committee has theirs done and just has to submit it... and I still have to finish mine.. but things truly are coming to a close here! I have two trips I am taking; the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans- July 21-27 and then a Youth Works trip to Ohio with the 7-8th graders; Agust 1-8. Then I only have one week back in the office before I am done for good!

With other news... the wedding is coming along quite well. Bridesmaids dresses were picked out at David's Bridal... Cake tasting is set for July 31st at Butter Cream. Next on the list is tuxes and designing the invitation and programs. We have a lot done which is great considering I will starting up with vigorus classes in September!

Summer time!

The change of pace has changed a lot around here at church since it is summer. So many staff members are on vacation, so we are all juggling who is going to be around when... who needs to cover what... when can we get certain meetings taken care of... its tricky.. but also kinda quiet during the day time.

As for me.. I am not having as many responsibilities.. my time here is wrapping up... and since there is a lot of time going into planning the upcoming programatic year... when I wont be here.. I am slowly being taken out of planning... its sad but needed I guess.

so for my to-do list this week:

Study for the BPE( I plan to take it and pass on July 20) PRAYERS PLEASE!

Write my last article for the Zumbro newsletter

Go shopping for my last Gather Together service next week

Practice my sermon for Sunday

Make copies of my final evaluation for my internship committe memebers for our meeting tomorrow.

Start thinking about packing up stuff here pretty soon. (my office has accumulated a lot of stuff.)


I am looking forward to some church friends to come down and hear me preach this weekend. It means so much to have visitors come see me in action. I appreciate the support and seeing their friendly faces in the congregation. I always tell people... I am going to be preaching the rest of my life so there will be PLENTY of time to come see me in action... but they insist on coming as often and soon as they can! I love it!

im so bad at this blogging thing!

So I know I know again it has been quite a long time since I have blogged last! Maybe its a good thing since I am staying busy and out of trouble...but no.. I made a commitment and I know some are using this as their main way to stay up to date with what I am getting myself into!

The month of June was filled with weddings galore!
June 6th was Cody and Jess' wedding.
June 13th was Drew and Sarah Wisner's wedding. I was an usher in that and had a blast!
June 20th was Bob and Dana's wedding. I was a personal attendant but sadly got pretty sick with a virus that attacked my throat. Dave and I made it to the rehearsal and dinner but I was so sick and in urgent care most of the day Saturday, I was only able to make it to the reception. Dave met me there later, since he had yet another wedding that day of his friend Bridget! We got some good slow dances in... which was kinda fun considering Dana and Bob's reception was at the same location ours will be at in 7 months... so we got some good ideas!

As for church news... I preached on June 7... and the branches and the Vine. It was a tough sermon for me to grasp... but the Holy Spirit did a great job in guiding me through it! VBS took place last week. It actually was my first time experiencing VBS. Of course I had done many programs at Mt. Olivet of the same nature but not an actual VBS program. We had about 130 kids.. and 66 adult volunteers! It was a blast! I had no real responsibilities until Friday when I got to teach Moses parting the Red sea. We had a good time building a parted red sea with a blue tarp... lots of duck tape... brown paper, and a spray bottle.

Teachers played Pharoh's soldiers coming after "moses's people"... the little ones got kinda nervous but were ok in the end. We had a good time.

I am now planning a sermon for NEXT Sunday... July 12th, the beheading of John the Baptist. I am taking the stance of giving into pressure and where at can lead you. The passage is Mark 6: 14-29. Check it out!

My internship is coming to an end.... only a month and a half left! Its so crazy how fast the time has gone. and 2 of those weeks I will be on the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans (July 21-27) and then a Youth works trip to Cinicinatti (August 1-8). My last Sunday is August 16th. It will be a sad Sunday but a positive reflection of the GREAT year.

It has been a busy month of Engagments!!! My friend and bridesmaid Ashely and her fiance Ryan got engaged June 12th and plan to have their wedding this Sepetermber 26th! SO FUN!

My Seminary friend Amber and her fiance Kevin got engaged June 12th as well... but have not yet set a date yet!

Finally a friend from Gustavus and fellow Rochester friend Jenna and her fiance Donny (Mr. thang) got engaged a week and a half ago! Oh so exciting.

As my parents say- "your at that age"
Next will be baby showers... WHOA WHOA... slow down!

This weekend is the 4th of July... no real big plans but hope to see some family and friends. More updates later.

Alright.. so for the most part we are all up to speed. And now since summer has slowed things down a bit I will hope to keep everyone updated. For now... enjoy the summer days.