Calls

I can't help getting reflective and all sentimental this time every April. It was after all 3 years ago this week(ish) that my Austin buddies and I went to Ft. Wayne IN to attended the service where Clint and Phil would receive their pastoral calls. I decided to go on a whim. Little did I know how my life would be changed forever!

After a few games of ping-pong I knew Phil was the man for me!

And three years later this week, tonight in fact, my little cuzzie Weslie will receive his own vicarage assignment! So much we didn't know back then!

Minnesota or Bust

Phil and I spent 3 days in Minneapolis last week. We attended the Association of Confessional Lutherans National Free Conference No. 21 and Luther Academy Lecture Series No. 17,

A Congress on the Lutheran Confessions 2010

Confessing the Faith: In Light of the Lutheran Confessions.

Sounds fun doesn't it? Well, it was actually.
We sat through 2 days of lectures and I loved every minute of it, well, there were a few minutes I glazed over, zoned out and almost fell asleep, but a night of scratchy sheets, no fan and a lack of pillows can do that to a pregnant lady.
The guest speakers were great. There wasn't a lecture we wanted to miss so even though we were 5 minutes walking distance from the Mall of America and IKEA, shopping, eating and gaping would have to wait.


This mall is big, very big.

With an amusement park in the center.

And more places to eat than you could ever need. Clara would never have left if we'd have invited her.

Lego mania!

The Weeny Mobile, me and baby!

Our last night in the city we took the train and spent some time downtown Minneapolis. The tight sweater must have been squeezing my face...

We ate at a brew pub, I don't remember the name, but it was very good.

And I got this special coffee. I knew I was on vacation then! This was a nice getaway for me and Phil but it was good to get home. I can definitely say I don't miss big city life. I was missing my no stop light cow town! Oh and my babies.

Grandma and Grandpa

Grandpa and Grandma (Neil and Verna) came this week to visit and watch the girls while Phil and I went to Minneapolis for a conference. The girls weren't sad at all to get a break from Mama and Daddy!



There was lots of dancing with Grandpa!




Verna brought some dresses to the girls that belonged to her when she was a wee lass. They looked so cute on Lily!


Here's a lovely quote from Proverbs 17:6 for each of you "grand"parents. Phil and I appreciate all that you do for us parents!

"Children's children are a crown to the aged,
and parents are the pride of their children."

At The Parsonage.

My apologies to the 15 year old Lily. I couldn't help taking these! She's got such style...she gets it from her father.




Clara and I enjoyed a little time outside while Lily took a nap.

Our neighbor Vernon and Daddy joined us.


Pretty apple dress before church...

and after.

Again, she gets her fashion sense from her father...obviously.

These girls are getting so big!

Red Velvet Cake...

I've never eaten Red Velvet Cake and I've certainly never made one. I've only associated them bleeding armadillo cakes from the movie Steel Magnolias...

I just never thought about using Red Velvet mix before so when Christi left some here for me I thought I'd go ahead and make something with it.
I had no idea what I was in for. It all started so innocently. It looked different but not alarming...YET!

Warning, this is NOT a cake mix for the faint of heart.

Oh dear...
What have I done??!!


Oh come on!

This was just too much!

Even Lily was curious or a little frightened perhaps.

I just thought I'd share this survival story. I have to say the cake was pretty tasty, especially with homemade chocolate frosting. Red Velvet Cake...perfect for hmmm, Halloween and bleeding armadillo cakes.

Hug Your Pastor's Wife.

Pastor appreciation month has come and gone (it's October if you aren't aware that there is even such a thing) but really we should show our pastors how much we appreciate them at all times. However, don't forget that wife of his! She has a very unique calling.

Blessed are those who show concern for all those in the congregation, for they are the pastors' wives,

Blessed are those who must sample all food prepared for all church functions and not make ugly faces regardless of how it tastes, for they are the pastors' wives.

Blessed are those who must smile at all equally so they will not be called names by the hypocrites, for they are the pastors' wives.

Blessed are those who hear all the gossip but must not offend anyone, for they are the pastors' wives.

As funny and TRUE as the above statements are, at times those are the "easy parts" of being married to a pastor. Someone sent them to me in an email yesterday and I got to thinking that I would drop this suggestion to pray for the woman that shares her husband and life with your congregation. Her vocation can be lonely and difficult at times.

10 Months Old.

Clara's 9th month was full of changes and she's now in the double digits of monthdom! I can't believe she'll be a year old in a couple months! She's becoming (well, she's always been really) such an energetic and funny baby. She talks on the phone, waves bye-bye, gives big wet kisses and crawls like lightning (make a bee-line to the bathroom if the door is open!) and loves getting in trouble. Happy 10 month day Clara!