My Three Words

Three Words.

In a few different circles, I have seen individuals promoting 3 words. Each one of them is doing it in a very different format. I decided that I am going to choose three words and then develop 2014 around those three words. I am not being creative as many of them: using abstract words. However, I am using three w's even though I did not intentionally seek to use the same letter. The three words: wellness, writing and wisdom.

Word One: Wellness

The ELCA has been using the "spiritual wheel" for awhile. With wellness being one of my words; it was only an obvious choice (a wise choice - more on that in word three) to use the wheel. There are six components of the spiritual wheel:

- Social
- Emotional
- Physical
- Financial
- Vocational
- Intellectual

It is hope that I can improve my wellness in all these areas.

Word Two: Writing

I have never really been a good writer. I have never really invested much time and energy into it. Writing for me has always been limited to school reports, newsletter articles, a little blogging and not much more. However, in 2014, I want to focus on writing. I am not making any major goals: writing a blog every day or attempting to get a book published. However, I want to be more intentional in writing and sharing views and sparking conversation. I also want to try to use my writing to be more of an advocate. There are multiple places where a voice needs to be lifted up.

Word Three: Wisdom

Luke 2:52 - And Jesus kept on growing—in wisdom

In the past, when I led children/family ministry; we used 252 Basics and Wisdom is one of the key phrases that they use. 252 Basics is based off of Luke 2:52. So, maybe, I am going back to my childhood. In all seriousness, here is the definition of wisdom:

the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment; the quality of being wise.

So, in 2014, I want to make good judgment in all areas of my life. I will need to have wisdom in making wellness and writing to occur. I will need wisdom in my daily life as I navigate my vocational waters of youth ministry and campus ministry. Thus, I want to have wisdom in my mind so as I go through my daily life, I can make wise choices.

There we go, my three words. Now it is time to place these four pictures up on my wall, so I can be reminded of them everyday that I am in the office.

2014: Back to Blogging

2014 will enter the 9th year that I have been on blogger blogging. I have not blogged in a long time. The last post has been about 8 months ago. It actually took me awhile to get into it because of changes of emails and passwords.

It was interesting to see the 'data' on the dashboard. How many people were coming to the blog still and what they were reading. I then scrolled down to look at the years and how much I posted in those years. Here is the list:

2006 - 45 posts
2007 - 345 posts
2008 - 465 posts
2009 - 145 posts
2010 - 97 posts
2011 - 26 posts 
2012 - 46 posts
2013 - 6 posts

Thus, it has been awhile since I have been active. I am hoping that 2014 will be a year where I will be active again. i I am also going to go back to blogging across the spectrum: life, church, campus ministry, family activities and more.

There has been a challenge of 3 words. 3 words are choosing 3 words that will define your year. I am planning on doing this tomorrow at my quiet time. Maybe, writing will be one of the three.

April 12, 2013

 Today, I downloaded a new app for my phone and went and tested it out. We have 2 feet of snow still and the weather was in the 20's BUT I wanted to get out and test it. Here is a snapshot:

Winter Jam 2013: Omaha

This weekend, we took a 28 hour road trip to Omaha for Winter Jam.

SMSU - Lutheran Campus Ministry left on noon on Friday and drove to Omaha. We checked into our hotel (Comfort Inn) and decided to go fast food before we headed to the concert. Runza was close to our hotel and no one had ever been there before so we decided to be daring and try it out. I will NEVER eat there again - YUCK.

After dinner, we battled 5:30 traffic and headed through the city. I dropped everyone off at the auditorium because of the traffic and crowd. I then and went to find a parking spot. After awhile, I found a place - albeit having to parallel park the 12 passenger fan. I then joined the crew - last row on the top-side. It was a capacity crowd. I am glad that they went in 5 minutes after the doors opened.

Overall, the concert was very good. Here was my quick fb status:

About the concert tonight: Best set from start to finish: SideWalk Prophets. Best transitions: Matthew West and his story videos that inspired the songs. Best song of night: Tony, Steal the Show. Artist Gaining Respect : Amy's Grace. Disappointment of night: Red (which stunk BC I was looking fwd to them).

We got back to the hotel a little after midnight and decided to get pizzas. The Sports Bar was a little rambunctious;  so we got them to go and hate them in the hotel room.

In the morning, we had breakfast at the hotel, did an early lunch at Noodles & Company. I had the BBQ pork sandwich - EXCELLENT. We then made the 4 1/2 hour drive back to Marshall.

2014, we will return - next time - a different city. Not because Omaha was bad, but let's road trip it.

Bonhoeffer: We are Sinners

Tumor Is Shrinking

Today, Bethany had an MRI and chemotherapy. A long day for her. But, we received great news. Her tumor is continually shrinking. Here is a little bit of information for the picture above:

WE HAVE SHRINKAGE! The tumor shrank approximately another 4 mm. The tumor started out at 25mm. After the first 12 weeks, the MRI showed 11mm shrinkage. This time (another 12 weeks) it shrunk 4 more mm. On the photo: The one on the left is today, the next one over is the one from November and the one second from the right is last June when we discovered the tumor had grown. The tumor is the bright white spot on the bottom left.

Bethany just finished up week 25 of 70. So, she has a long way to go but this is fantastic news. We thank God for the continue presence in our lives. We thank him daily for the doctors, nurses, and medicine that enables this to occur.

Hearty Taco Soup

On January 21st, 2013, we had Hearty Taco Soup for Lutheran Campus Ministry Dinner & Discussion. The picture above is the soup cooking. Below is the recipe that I created and used. Feel free to use/share. If you do not mind, I would appreciate you citing the recipie.

The base:

29 oz Tomato Sause
29 oz Tex-Mex Diced Tomatoes
14.5 oz diced size tomatoes w/ green chilies
14.5 oz Chili Beans with Cumin/Cayne sause
14.5 oz of black beans (drained)
14.5 oz of dark red beans (drained)
14.5 oz Black Eyed Peas (drained)
14.5 oz of Mexican corn (drained)
14.5 oz Hoppin John (Blackeyed Peas, tomato, onions, and jalepenos)
1 package of spicy ranch

Then for the meat:

3 separate 1 lb of ground beef and 4 oz of season blend cooked

- one w/ original
- one with cheese
- one with hot

The three meats added to the base.

Served over corn chips and topped with a 4 cheese blend and sour cream

What About Joseph ?

I am teaming up with Children International to help them sponsor children. This week, I am trying to get Joseph Guillermo sponsored. He is going to be 16 years old soon (May 28). He lives in Equador. With him being 15, his sponsorship will be a short-term commitment for you.

Here is a little more info:

He is 5'8" and weighs 123 pounds. His favorite subject in school is Math and his favorite pasttime is Soccer. His Father is deceased and he lives with his mom (Geovanna) and his sister (Fabiana).

Would you be willing to help him over the next 2 1/2 years ? The sponsorship is $ 25 a month and this will help provide education/health for him ?

If you are willing, please email me at Lutheran.Chaplain@smsu.edu

Minnesota Snow

I took this picture on Sunday, December 9th, from the back of our church. We ended up cancelling services because of how bad the weather was in town. But, staff was hanging out at the building to let individuals who came out that our services were cancelled. This was our (my) first real MN snow and my phone captured the beauty.

A tear

On Wednesday, one of the teenagers asked me if I ever cried being separted from my family during this time of transition. The question caused me to reflect for a moment and to be honest, it took me off guard. I do not think that anyone has asked me that question over the last 2 1/2 months. My response was that tears have come but it has not been an all out cry like when I departed Indiana to come to Minnesota or when I left them over Thanksgiving to come back to Marshall.

However, there are "triggers" that cause tears. Some of them may seem odd, but they are neverless triggers and they cause a tear to come down my face. Matter of fact, since the question was asked, only 4 1/2 days have passed but there has been a trigger for my wife, my daughter and my boys.

Here were the three triggers that have occurred over the last few days:

On Thursday, my daughter called me on her way to chemotherapy to let me know that she had landed a duet in her Christmas choir performance. The joy that she had was so exciting to hear and the happiness that she had that Stacey may be able to call in or video tape it and I will watch it later was definitely there. A tear fell because I am not going to see the performance "live and in person". I definitely miss those moments. I don't think that I ever took them lightly and treasured each opportunity to see our kids performing but now that I am gone and missing sporting events, band concerts, choir events, musicals and more; wow, it is tough.

On Saturday, as I was preparring for the Cookie Walk, a tear came down my face for my wife. Stacey loves to cook and bake and if they were in Marshall, I know that she would love the event. She would have definitely made cookies and she would have been at the event with me. Stacey has always been there and supported me and has helped out immensly in my ministry. We have always been together and she helps my ministry in numerous ways. She is not there. I miss her being by myside. Yes, I miss her help greatly but more than that, I miss her presence and us doing life together.

It may be crazy, I know. But, a tear came down my face on Saturday evening around 6:57 pm. Here is the crazy picture that prompted the tear. I know it is crazy, but let me explain (below the picture):

Georgia fell 5 yards short. My tear was not because Georgia lost. I wanted Alabama to win. The tear came because I had a flash back to 11 months ago. Isaiah, Jacob and myself went to Buffalo Wild Wings and ate way too many wings as we watched Alabama win the National Championship. Jacob is a huge Bama fan. We lived in Alabama for 3 years. He chose Alabama. When we moved to Alabama, I told them that they had to choose either Alabama or Auburn. He was 4, he chose bama because of the elephant, but it has stuck for the last 9 years. Side note: Isaiah chose Auburn because Melissa Joseph had on an Auburn shirt the first Sunday he was at church. So, as Alabama celebrated and Georgia was "rejected"; a tear came down my face because when the National Championship game comes around, I will not be with my boys watching it. Connection-Relationship with my boys.

It has been 2 1/2 months since I have been in Minnesota.I love Marshall, I love St. Stephen and I love SMSU. But, wow, do I miss my family and I cannot wait till we are all together under one roof. If by chance you are reading this and are taking family for granted; please pause a moment and enter a moment of thanksgiving for the time that you have.

Ella, thanks for asking the question.