On Friday, I went to the doctor for my 20-week ultrasound ( Read more... )

Gonzalo is painting the house this week ( Read more... )

I have some big news!
Actually, it's pretty little right now--a wee little baby that over the next months will grow and grow until, near the end of November, Gonzalo and I will be parents!
WOW!
I am so thankful for this little bright spot in my life during an otherwise crazy time. Hopefully I will get to see many of you sometime this summer when I'll ( Read more... )

I´m sitting in an internet café in Malpaisillo, Nicaragua, enjoying the heat, the breeze from a nearby fan, and the familiar noises of this country. Gonzalo and I arrived yesterday after a great mission trip in Costa Rica with folks from All Saints in MI, Christ Lutheran in Allentown, and a handful of others from across the USA. The trip went so ( Read more... )

It has been a most amazing week ( Read more... )

I preached this morning.

My preparations for this sermon didn't follow my normal routine.  Usually I read the texts, think and pray about the directions which I might go, then sit and type out a draft on Thursday, which I review and edit on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, I wake up extra early and over my morning coffee I re-read and make final ( Read more... )

Some highlights from the last few weeks:

--Celebrating my 26th birthday with so many thoughtful calls from dear friends and a chance to dance the night away with Gonzalo. I will remember this as my first "adult" birthday, where I plan to fill my day with things that are special for me

--Baking and frosting sugar cookies. This year I went all out, ( Read more... )

As I check items of my "to-do" list today, I am smiling with anticipation for tomorrow ( Read more... )

October:

There was a visit from Mom and Dad, and a blessed trip to see our favorite baby, Magdalena Dawn, become a part of this communion of Saints in her baptism. It was such a special day, and I am relishing my new role as her "fairy" godmother.

There was a trip back to Valpo to talk with students about being a "Deaconess in Real Life." Oh, what a ( Read more... )

Yeah! I am SO ready for this change-in-seasons. Not only do I relish the colors, the apples, the cooler weather and the reunion with my warmer clothes (especially fuzzy sweaters), but this year I am doing some intentional changing-of-colors myself ( Read more... )