missionaryMAC

I have not slowed down since I got "home" (I'm staying with my parents from now until I leave) from Las Vegas last Sunday night. One of the week's major tasks was to get ready for yesterday's moving sale. I thought I was going to be scrambling on Thursday and Friday, but my family is amazing and got a huge head start while I was away on my July loop . I didn't do much other than price things, really. I'd consider myself a minimalist when it comes to material belongings and was consequently amazed at the enormity of even that task.  I owe a shout out to my family for their help on sale day, too, along with so many others. The first shopper arrived before 7 am, so it was an early morning. Here are some shots from the day:  Everything was arranged so that customers entered through the garage and exited through the front door, right past a lemonade and treats stand that a friend of mine and her 4 yr. old son held!   In addition to signs l...

What happened in Vegas was something only God could have ordained. My connection was former CPH coworker and Sem wife at the time Jessica, whose husband Adam got his first call to Christ Lutheran Church in Boulder City, NV. Rather than give my presentation multiple times, the LWML ladies at Christ hosted a luncheon on Saturday and invited a number of other congregations. LOOK at those centerpieces. They sent me home with all of the Dominican flags! Christ Lutheran Church in Boulder City, NV.  Here comes the God-ordained part. My regional director, Blake Warren, and his family, have roots in Las Vegas. We each knew the other would be in town but hadn't made any plans to connect until a few days prior to my arrival. Blake asked if his family could come to the luncheon - of course! Amy, a deployed member of the LCMS Mission Advancement team, also came; she hadn't met Blake or I in person. I was able to share and answer questions before we all enjoyed a homemade, p...

Colorado was like a breath of fresh air - what little of it there is at 5,280 feet, anyway. In between network-building activities, I enjoyed catching up with my cousin at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, a few Denver-area sights, and staying with the Hills, friends from my Ysleta days that I hadn't seen in seven years. My Monday morning consisted of meeting with the pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in Aurora, CO. Our hugely thought-provoking discussion centered on the relational heart of missions and the parallels between marketing and missions. Tuesday, I returned to Hope for Matins and to present during Bible class. One of the first people I saw was my friend Anna; she stayed with me last summer while interning at CPH, hosted me when I was in Ohio earlier this summer , and starts pastry school at Johnson & Wales University in September. Neither of us had any idea the other would be there! Hope Lutheran Church in Aurora, CO. The USAFA chapel was clo...

Good morning from beautiful Denver, CO, the furthest West that I'll be driving before I head home. (Emphasis on "driving;" I fly to Las Vegas tomorrow.) I've never seen more cornfields or traversed more highways and byways with a "W" after them. It was a whirlwind week, but OIM's project management software helped me stay on top of my engagements at all times. I tried to document every stop, so buckle up! Leaving Pella , I made my way to my host home in Jefferson, IA, where a STEAK dinner awaited. My presentation at Trinity Lutheran Church wasn't until 10:30 Wednesday morning, so the couple I stayed with hosted an AM open house; several church members stopped by to meet me in a casual setting over a scrumptious buffet breakfast. Trinity Lutheran Church in Jefferson, IA.  New friends from Jefferson.  After I wrapped up, there were 2 cars full of items (bras, backpacks, quilts, washcloths, hygiene items, etc.) donated at a recent LWML...

Unfortunately, not quite. My feline friend is settling in well to his temporary home at my parents' house.  But, as I mentioned in my last newsletter , I've hit a roadblock in what I thought was the simple process of bringing him with me. Don't get me wrong, HE'S STILL COMING. He's been my companion for nearly nine years and will go a long way toward making my Caribbean abode into home . Allow me to explain, though.  In order to enter the country, he needs a rabies vaccine that is current but older than 30 days. Apparently, there is a three-year type and a one-year type, even though the tags are only ever valid for one year. His last one was on 4/23/16, aka within the past three years, but based on the manufacturer of the serum, the type is inconclusive. His vet recommended that I get him (re-)vaccinated ASAP so the clock can start ticking. My amazing family is going to take care of that since I'm out of town until Sunday. In the meantime, I need t...

I'm not sure when my sister-in-law started talking about Pella, Iowa. The way she described the quaint Dutch town stuck with me and made me want to go, though. It didn't work out the last time I was in Iowa , but I deemed it worthy of an hour-long detour on the way from the Chicago area to Jefferson, IA, on Tuesday afternoon. It was :) Welcome to Pella! I arrived too late for the last tour of the day that takes you to the top of the windmill, but I was able to walk through the Historical Village... ...sans these puppies.  Brushing up on my milkmaid-ing skills.  Pella revolves around Tulip Time, the largest tulip festival outside Amsterdam (or so I'm told). The Tulip Tower is a permanent fixture in the town square. If you're looking for something to do May 2-4, 2019... Waiting for the glockenspiel to chime 5:00 pm.  I'm not sure if this was purposeful or not, but the benches on the side of the glockenspiel that faces away from the str...

To pick up where my last post left off: ...because I had to be at Trinity Lutheran Church in West Chicago, IL, at 6:30 pm (CST)! That's right, I had a doubleheader on Sunday: TWO presentations in TWO states and TWO time zones in ONE day. The time change worked in my favor, but traffic and toll booths conspired to make me about five minutes late. No one minded a bit though; I was welcomed with open arms and pizza before being given the floor. Trinity Lutheran Church in West Chicago, IL.  Thankfully, my schedule was such that I had nowhere to be on Monday, so I was able to have a relaxing yet productive morning, spontaneously visit the Dominican Consulate , and enjoy an evening picnic + carillon concert at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Until next time, blessings!

Remember the show 24 with Kiefer Sutherland, where the entire season takes place in a single day? I never did get into it, but my Sunday morning speaking engagement reminds me of it. The entirety of my visit to Ohio lasted a total of 15 hours! I landed in Cleveland around 9:30 pm on Saturday night, then rented a car and drove to the home of the church members who had volunteered to host me. They were lovely, as was their condo. The next morning, I was introduced at both of Fairlawn Lutheran Church's services and led adult Bible class in between. The children's message, hymnody, and sermon centered on the second half of the Gospel reading from Mark 6:1-13 , where Jesus sends out the 12 apostles. It was all planned months prior to me even contacting the church, but also not lost on anyone how fitting it was that I was there. It seems like that's happened often - some  liturgical element will tie-in perfectly to hosting a missionary. Maybe it's a coincidence...or maybe...

Another new state: Alabama! I got up at 3:30 am EST on Friday 6/29 to catch an early morning flight from Richmond to Birmingham. My friends Chris & Linda - and their 15 month old son - picked me up from the airport. Linda and I went to high school together, and Chris is the pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Cullman - the reason I headed from the south to the deep south. I stayed in their guest room, complete with king-sized bed and en suite bathroom. Throw in the match-y towels and travel size toiletries and maybe I should have called this post "Suite" Home Alabama. I felt like I was at a hotel. St. Paul's was my Sunday morning engagement, but I also made presentations on Saturday morning and Sunday evening. Here's a pictorial look at all three stops: First Lutheran Church in Birmingham, AL, where I was treated to breakfast from Chick-fil-A and then proceeded to spend an hour and a half talking with the pastor and a small group of members.  ...