A Few of Our Favorite Things...

Still in NYC and loving it so in honor of Thanksgiving coming up, I thought we would list a few of our thankfuls aka favorite things...

Kurtis' Favorite Things:

in NYC:
1. food
2. friends
3. abundance of work
4. the fact that I can find anything I want at almost any time of day.
5. Brooklyn Bridge

about work:
1. traveling
2. having my own shop
3. the fact that it's never the same thing
4. the studio space
5. health insurance

Mary's Favorite things:

about the Subway:
1. seeing the Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn Bridge everyday
2. being able to read and do things to/from work
3. having an unlimited pass
4. multiplicities of routes to get around
5. people watching

about work:
1. enjoying what I do
2. being able to help others
3. the look on people's faces when I tell them what I do
4. the camels
5. enough flexibility to feel refreshed and appreciated

One more fun little thing to enjoy....a picture of Mary with one of her favorite work things!

Happy Thanksgiving! And, see ya'll in Texas(those who are coming, those who are not - we'll miss you)!!!

I'm Growing Up!!!

Hi everyone,
My fall has gone by fast. As you all know I moved into my own apartment in early October. Soon than expected but I had found the perfect place so I was happy. I was also blessed enough to receive a chair, dining room table and lamps from Grandma's dear friend Nancy Sherman. I have "grown-up" furniture and I was pleasantly surprised to find that my apartment looks like a twenty-three year old's rather than a dorm.

Shona loves the apartment and enjoys watching all the activity in the parking lot and chasing the neighbors cats on her potty break at 10:00 p.m.

I loved decorating my apartment and I often have my good friend Alli over to collage, do other art projects, watch silly T.V. shows and cook. Thank you for all the magnets for my birthday. They are displayed in my bedroom, bathroom and kitchen. I love magnets.

Speaking of my birthday, thanks to all of you I had a wonderful day. I loved having a birthday party and being surrounded by everyone. It was a much different birthday than in the pat two years and I loved being home to celebrate. It was special in every way. Form my Oreo dessert to being interrupted opening my present by Adelynn who insisted I read her a book to even having Dave's help opening my presents and his fashion commentary. 

A Birthday many years ago. Dave still helps today and I don't mine. I love you cousin.

I'm still looking forward to (actually an understatement. I'm ecstatic about it!) getting my service dog. And I have an official month which is May!!!! I am sure I'll write again before that so I will have an opportunity to tell you more when I know more! You are all invited to visit my apartment anytime. My address is 7627 East 37th Street North #1408 Wichita KS, 67226.

 So that has been my fall. I must say it has been a wonderful time of transition and growth. As always I'm chronicling it on my blog fightingmywayback. 

Love to all of you.

Kate

Fall Fun

October is birthday month, and there are always lots of family events because of this. There are six birthdays in October, and we celebrated them together this year. Here are a few pictures to enjoy. Kate had her 23rd birthday at Grandma and Grandpa's house with many of the family there for the big occasion. Pam was busy with school work, so I posted these pictures for you...Randy

Kansition Period...GUEST BLOGGER - Caleb

When I recently asked a friend if he had any advice about surviving a transitional period he said, "try to be present where you are, don't get stuck in the past or future." Well...that's hard.

Greetings Kinast connected folks! I've landed back in Kansas for a while, and I find myself struggling to stay present. After years and years of schooling, at the end of August I finally finished my seminary education! My final year was spent in Minneapolis, Minnesota as the intern-pastor (vicar) at an inner-city church. It was a wonderful experience, full of warm and friendly people despite the chilly weather. It has been quite a ride so far, and I'm excited for what is coming up next.

Its difficult to stay present in Kansas right now because I found out at the end of September that I had been assigned to the Southwest California Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. That area is roughly analogous to a "district" in the LCMS. This one consists of Los Angeles and surrounding cities. It was my top choice of places to go, so I'm pumped. The area is known for its emphasis on cultural diversity, for its high degree of involvement with local communities, and of course, beautiful Southern California weather!

The process is lengthy and somewhat confusing, even for me. The goal is to help first-call candidates such as myself land in places that will allow them to use their gifts and passions for ministry. One of the main ways this differs from the LCMS process is that I won't be handed an envelope and told what church I will be going to. For us, this matching process gives the congregation most of the responsibility. The SoCal Synod Bishop (like a district president in many ways) is responsible for getting me interviews at churches he thinks will be good matches.

So far, I have not heard if they have any potential openings for me or not. But I should be hearing from them soon. If there are no openings...then...well, this time of "Kansition" may stretch out a while. But if there is a possible vacancy I might fill, then they will submit my name and paperwork to the church, who will then interview me in the same way they would any candidate. If the interviews go well and the congregational votes go well. Then they will call me, and I will schedule an ordination ceremony and an installation date.

Viola! Pastor Caleb.

But, just like the rest of the job-market, job openings are increasingly rare. So I'm trying to not get ahead of myself because there are any number of ways this could all play out. I'm TRYING to be present, here, in Kansas.

One of the things helping me do just that is the opportunity to work with Laurie and the rest of the Education Department at the Cosmosphere from time to time. It has truly been a blessing to have more time to spend there, helping kids learn about science, learning a thing or two myself, and getting to launch a trash can into the air!

I've also been fortunate to spend time with family and friends here that I haven't seen in a while. Including ya'll! Even though I'm gearing up for another cross-country move, Kansas is again starting to feel like home. Ballpark guess is that I could be here through the Holiday season if not longer. Which I'm slowly discovering...and y'know what? That's just fine. My "launch" will happen soon enough.