We have moved again (that makes it 8 times in 9 years of marriage) and I am back on campus at Luther Seminary after one year out in Dawson, Minnesota for internship. It really was a fantastic year. I am sure the effects of being a part of such an experience will continue to linger long into the final year of my degree. Hopefully I can summarize for you in person what I learned, how a changed and how much fun I had, for writing it here would not do the people of Dawson nor myself any justice. Basically, Dawson is awesome and I am blessed to have been a part of their lives for 350 some days.
Following the conclusion of internship, my wife, daughter (still weird to write that) and I were blessed to join each of our families for one week of vacation in Northern Minnesota. We were able to get some much needed R & R as we skipped rocks off of Lake Superior, played Farkel and Password and watched Natalie and Jonah interact and make us all melt with their cuteness. It was a great week of enjoying the company of one another after many months apart. One of the highlights of the week was taking in a little adventure with my bro - to our new secret swimming hole at Temperance River State Park. Later that night we all got to "appear" on his radio show Corn Talk - a great way to end the week in Minneeeesohhhhta together.
Next we traveled to Dreamers Resort off of Big Lake in northern Minnesota. There I spent the week with my second family (Rebecca's side). Fishing, playing Jokers, and of course, watching Natalie some more. While the Muskee proved to be elusive (not even a single sighting!) it was still a thrill to be on the water again, casting for the big one (but mostly catching the little ones.) Highlights included netting a couple of big ones for John and Christine and of course, winning at Jokers. All in all, I consider myself incredibly blessed to share such love and support amidst two wonderful families - what a tremendous joy it is to spend time laughing and playing together.
Now, back on our own again, we embark on the final leg of the seminary journey that we began three years ago. It's exciting but also daunting. I am eager to learn, but anxious about getting it all done. I am hopeful about the future, but also gripped with doubts. I feel capable of this calling but also fearful. There are many questions that rattle around in this inquisitive mind and curious heart of mine, and I wonder just how long this emotional haze I'm plodding through presently will be fogging up my vision and slowing my movements. But, I'll keep trudging, it's all any of us can really do.
As I reflect upon this current funk I'm in, I have come to realize that a key component to my own personal sense of wholeness is the gift of writing. I am grateful for any opportunity to write. Preaching offers this, and I miss being able to do that on a more frequent basis as I did throughout internship. Writing helps me to feel anchored in this wave-filled world - so, I offer a word of thanks. Thanks Life-in-Tents readers. Thanks for giving me reason and motivation to write (apart from my coursework.) Even if there's just one of you, it's worth it. Blessings on our new year together. January 1st is just a formality. It's September that always feels like the beginning, right?
No comments:
Post a Comment