Dear readership,
First, Mikaela and I would like to
thank you all for the support that you have given us, both in the past and
currently. We are very thankful to have all of you in our lives.
Second, and the primary purpose of
this blog, we want to update you on how things are going for us in the ministries to which we've been called. The months of
August and September (thus far) have been both exciting and challenging. After our
wedding and honeymoon, we made the long drive from California out to St. Louis.
We moved into our apartment and began furnishing it late in July. While we
managed to get many pieces rather cheaply, or in some cases free, we are still
looking for a few items to complete our search. Now, decorations are going up,
and we are almost completely settled in!
Shortly after arriving, Mikaela
started work at Our Savior Lutheran School in Fenton. After some initial staff
meetings, she started preparing both her classroom and her lessons for the
incoming kindergarten class. First, she had to clean and strip the classroom to
its bare bones, then start decorating after that. This was a long and arduous
process due to a long summer of disuse, but after many long hours, she finally
had the classroom prepared just in time for the start of school. Her class
started on August 13th, and she has been working tirelessly since then to teach
her class of ten five-year-olds the basics of reading, writing, math, and
classroom etiquette.
After about a month of waiting, I
finally have started classes. Since we live off campus, and Mikaela needs the
car to drive to work, I had planned on riding my bike to school every day. Unfortunately,
on the second day of classes, a spoke in one of the wheels broke, and now I'm
walking. I get rides when I can, but there are many times that I enjoy my walks
in the cool morning air. Classes have been their own sort of adventure. Since
they are initially designed for second career students who have not been the
classroom for years, they are starting slowly, but I am constantly encountering
new material that is challenging me. For me, that is the best part of being a
student. I have also managed to get three on campus jobs, trying to help cover
expenses of school and costs of living. I am working in the mail room, sorting
and delivering mail, and on the general labor team, setting up and tearing down
for events on campus. I have not yet started my ushering job, but I am looking
forward to the opportunities it will provide. I have also begun working at my
field work church, also Our Savior Lutheran, and have done the readings for
several services, with many more to come.
We have also had the opportunity to
explore our new home, the city of St. Louis. Our second week here, a friend
wanted to go to a Cardinals game for his birthday, so a large group of us
gathered together and went to the game. We sat in the highest seats possible,
and eventually the game ended in a rain delay, but we had an amazing time. Over
Labor Day weekend, we took the metro to Laclede's Landing, just above the
Mississippi River, and went to the annual Big Muddy Blues Festival, a free,
three day event with live blues bands. From there, we wandered across the
street and saw the famous Gateway Arch. We decided to not yet go to the
visitor's center, but that is something we plan to do soon. Last weekend, we
decided to take a walk in Forest Park. Due to the close proximity of the
seminary to the park, we were able to park our car at the school and walk to
the park. It was altogether a delightful afternoon.
Mikaela and I appreciate all of your
prayers and support in the new and challenging part of our life. We also pray
that God would keep you in His care as you fulfill the calling He has given to
you.
In the name of Christ our savior.
