Although its been said many times, many ways...

Merry Christmas to you!
With Love & Peace, Micaela and Elizabeth

“You say good-bye and I say hello!”

2011 has been a year of good-byes and hellos and so many transitions. Although never easy, these transitions make me aware and deeply thankful for the faithfulness of God present in every step. Studying, reading and hearing the Christmas story this Advent has reminded me how scary and life-altering this following God can be! Just like Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds and others we are all called out of our comfort places to step forward, trusting that God will be there to guide our shaking foot. This is very much what this past year has felt like for both Micaela and me, stepping forward with trembling limbs and then feeling the security and reassurance of landing on solid ground.

“The angel said to her,

‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. Then Mary said,

            ‘Here am I,

             the servant of the Lord;

                   let it be with me according to your word.’

Then the angel departed from her.” Luke 1:36,38

Good-bye 20's! I entered a new decade, but did it with my dear friend, Scanders and a great party!

Good-bye Luther Seminary! I finished up my academic work and Micaela graduated from WeeCare!

Good-bye Minnesota! We miss the people back home every single day, it really is hard to be so far away. Yet, the Minnesota humidity and deep freezes we're doing just fine with out!

Hello Holden! Two amazing weeks working and playing at Holden Village. Making music, playing with friends, hiking and relaxing. We also said hello to our dear Chaplain (John) here, in the Cascade Mountains, and that hello continues to be so sweet and fun.

Hello West Coast! Learning, learning, learning. Every day of ministry is full of new opportunities to learn and grow, which can be exhausting! Preaching, pastoral care and confirmation are very life-giving and exciting! The call to ordained ministry has been affirmed during our time here and I'm looking forward to the second half!

Hello Kindergarten! Learning, learning, learning. Micaela really is thriving and growing in her little Catholic school. She has lots of fun playing “horses” and spying on the boys during recess (uh-oh!). She is also taking ballet classes this year and is loving Sunday School at church. We still spend lots of time reading and baking together (its nice to know some things aren't changing!)

You may be wondering what “hellos” we'll be saying next? We are too! I will be entering the approval/assignment process to receive a first call. However, nothing will happen very quickly so we're being patient and hoping to find a place to work and attend 1^st grade for next year. So, wherever we go there will plenty of hellos and good-byes and many terrified steps will be taken.

May we all be called out of our comfortable places and may we be given the faith of Mary, Joseph and the Shepherds to answer the call. Christmas blessings to you all!