Happy Thanksgiving Day

We enjoyed a day of Thanksgiving fun with my Mother's side of the family, at Uncle Jr's house. It was a good time spent eating, playing cards, and catching up with each other. I have always enjoyed these fun times with Family. My grandpa (who is in Heaven with our boys), always enjoyed having the family together, and just hanging out all day. We still enjoy these times together, and are thankful for the family heritage we've received. My grandpa always enjoyed a good story and a good laugh. This still rings true as we gather and tell stories of work and play, deer hunting, and anything else we find interesting.
I was struck by a comment by my brother-in-law at a recent church program, that this may be the last Thanksgiving that we enjoy together in this way, in this place. We are embarking on a journey that will take us away from dear friends and family for at least a year. Many may not be seen for 2 years or more. God bless each of you. God bless us.

Clinical Pastoral Education

This week I spent about 4-6 hours filling out my application for Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). This is a class that I will be taking for 12 weeks during the coming summer. It will consist of 5 days a week in a Wichita, KS hospital setting. In essence, being a chaplain while learning how to be a chaplain. I see this as an important part of training for pastoral ministry. Class will be from 8am till noon. Visiting patients in their rooms will be from noon till 5pm. Once a week, at 5pm, I will "get" to stay overnight at the hospital as the on-call chaplain for the trauma unit. You could liken this to learning how to swim, by having your friends throw you into the ocean a mile offshore. No time like the present to learn how to swim. Friends who have gone through this experience describe it as not something to look forward to, but definitely something worthwhile to have gone through. You learn an immense amount about yourself and about ministering to those that are hurting.
I believe most things that I will experience in the next 1-2 years will be like that. Learning, growing, becoming. Sounds like a theme...

Hesston Update

In Hesston, we have found a house to rent. It is a 1200 sq. ft. ranch with 3 bedrooms, an attached 2 car garage, and .25 miles from campus. It is .75 miles from the Elementary school.

Last weekend, we flew to Hesston to get some details finalized. We looked at the house we will be renting, we met a number of the other students and their wives, we sat in on a class called "Jesus and the Gospels", I got registered for classes, and we spent some time visiting friends and getting to know the town of Hesston.

Dalton update

In Dalton, we have sold our house and are waiting for closing. That is a praise with how the current housing market is in Ohio. (We have appreciated the hard work of our realtor Esta as well, Thanks so much)
Grants and other funds are becoming available to help with tuition and living expenses. Another praise, some of the grants were surprises that we didn't even apply for. Thanks to whomever, you know who you are. God bless you!

We are going to miss this town, the bike trail, our awesome neighbors, and family and friends here in Ohio. You are all welcome to come visit us, or call or write. Don't let the 14+ hour drive stop you.

Heading for Hesston

As some of you know, we are heading for Hesston. I will be a student in the Pastoral Ministries program at Hesston College. I just want to give you an update of how things are coming together for us.

We will be moving the day after Christmas. Venture Products (http://www.ventrac.com) where I currently work, is letting us borrow a truck and a 24 ft. enclosed trailer, and my parents are going out with us to help drive, move, and to enjoy time with their grandkids.

Thanks to Todd and Julie for hosting us and allowing us to enjoy getting to know them better.

First Post

This is our first post. Hopefully the first of many. Hopefully insightful, sometimes funny, but mostly real. May it be interesting and encouraging to many.
I plan to make posts on moving, starting school, learning, growing, our family, and anything else that seems important.
You'd think that my interest in technology would have gotten me to the blogosphere much earlier, but it hasn't. I am here now, so read on.