update

Greetings to all. I guess it's about time for an update. My previous blogs have been a little vague so I thought I would clear a few things up for you. Or maybe make them muddier.....

First of all I have decided to leave LTSS mid year because of many reasons. I'm currently working on a blog to discuss most of those issues and will post it when I feel it's ready. You should know that I am not leaving my call just listening to what God wants me to do. He called me to serve Him and I believe he has opened a new door and I have stepped through it. I am in the process of enrolling in a different seminary (Institute of Lutheran Theology) which is not your typical "brick and mortar" college. It's an online program that offers a rapid pastoral certification process for 2nd (or 3rd) career people active in congregations. It gives you the opportunity to serve Him in a congregation while attending to your studies. Very cool!

So, because of this, Judy and I are on the move again. Because we can't stay on campus without being a student (funny how that works) we have signed on the dotted line for a short 3 month lease at an apartment complex. We went from a 3 bedroom house to a 3 bedroom apartment and now to a 2 bedroom apartment. I am currently looking at a few different opportunities that are being presented to me by the "Big Guy Upstairs" and look forward to serving Him in the capacity that He wants me to. When I know more, you'll know more.

If you would like my new address shoot me an email and I'll send it your way.

Peace and Grace in this Christmas season,

Greg

God Calls Once Again

God has called. I will listen.

It's time to move. But we just got here!

It's time to move. But I'm scared!

It's time to move. Where God?



I am listening.


I will be leaving my home here at LTSS. I don't know where I am going yet but God has called me to serve and that's what I will be doing. I just don't know where. He is showing me multiple paths available and I'm looking down all of them. It's a fork in the road and I'm just waiting for Him to take my hand and show me which path is the one He wants me on.

I am listening.


I will follow.


Thanks God!

Greg

I'm mad at God

I'm mad at God.

Not in the sense that you may think but more about the process. How is it that He uproots our lives shows you a path then is quiet?

I need to hear from Him. I struggle and ask daily to show me more of the path. As of today He is quiet. I am on a path. Is it the right one?

I am not alone. He is with me all the time. That I know and feel. Like a baby that is being carried around by it's mother or father knows it is loved and is on a trip but does not know where it is going.

I am mad at God. Like a child is mad at its parents when he/she does not get its way but knows the parents are right.

I am not alone. This I know. He is with me. My own feelings about the future are what make me mad at Him. He says live only in today.

I am mad at God.

I am not alone. He is with me. He will show me the path when it is time and I will understand then.

Greg

What's wrong at LTSS?

Its a long story but God called me to LTSS (Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary) in Columbia SC. I don't know why he sent me here because I had no interest in going south but yet here I am. I am here with people from all over who have been called by God for whatever reason.

So I'm curious. I sit in class with my fellow Lutheran Seminarians but I might be sitting between a Baptist and a Methodist. But it's a Lutheran Seminary. I consider a wonderful woman I talk with frequently a friend. She happens to be an Episcopalian. But it's a Lutheran Seminary. I've encountered Catholics. But it's a Lutheran Seminary. What's wrong at LTSS?????

We inducted our new Dean of Academic Affairs last night as part of our weekly Eucharist gathering. She happens to be a Baptist. What's wrong at LTSS?

I guess the real question would be....what's wrong elsewhere? I'm learning beside and being taught by people of different denominations. Our goal is the same. To learn about God and our faith. We may have different worship styles but it all comes from the same understanding. It's wonderful to discuss our own faith and understanding with others. It's a non threatening (for me anyway) discussion about why/how we all differ.

So, I ask again. What's wrong at LTSS? In regards to this issue, absolutely nothing.

I will follow,

Greg

Take some time off and listen to God

Make sure you take some time off.

Judy and I took last week off. It was our first chance to stop and reflect on what we have been through since I made this decision. Since January we seem to have been going 100 miles an hour (see previous posts) and last week we just slowed down to about 10 mph. It was refreshing to get up when you wanted, go to bed when you wanted and to kind of put the apartment a little more in order. We took some time to look around the eastern part of South Carolina and spent some time talking with our neighbors. It was very much the southern pace...slow and freindly.

So, I also got a chance to reflect on my call a little more. There is, and never has been, doubt about this path. With all the turmoil, this is my foundation. It is always calming. God is with me in this path. I have told him I will listen and follow but the practical side of me wants to know. I think the path may be moving but I'm being told to stay the course and wait. I can only encourage all of you, who may read this, to do the same. Listen to the call from God that will place you where you belong. In a previous blog I mentioned that I did not want to come to LTSS but here I am. I am more comfortable here than anywhere else I have ever lived. I am looking forward to my next steps.......

Take some time off. Listen to God.

I will follow!

Greg

I will follow........

It's Sunday morning and I'm planning on going to worship at 6pm tonight so I thought I'd take a moment to update my blog. So here it is.



It's been over 5 weeks since Judy and I have "thrown down our nets" and followed. Judy has done a great job of trying to put things in order in our new home and tying up all of those loose ends that seem to keep popping up. I've been by myself here for the last week as we went back to Northern Kentucky last weekend to take care of a few things and I left Judy up there on Sunday while I drove back myself to take on some more Greek. She dropped Sammy of to Murray State for the start of her secondary education and is on her way back home today (Sunday). I've missed her this week as she keeps my day from getting away from me as I've been burying myself in Greek homework and classes for 12 hours a day.



I have come to know many of my classmates as we struggle through the learning of Greek as well as learning a lot about ourselves. Several of us are the "older students" and many of us struggle with the same things. We have had a serious life change in our call to serve, we are learning how to be students again, some of us are living apart from our spouses, we are learning how to deal with things that are out of our control from our past lives but most of all (and best) we struggle with why God has sent us here now and at this time. While we have patience we still want to see the path that is set out before us. But alas, it is not to be known. It is a call to follow and be led. He says "trust Me". Many of us have done those trust exercises where you are blindfolded and led around. Trust your guide and be led. That is what it's like. It's easier said than done.



If your curious about the roller coaster ride........it's still moving pretty quick but the twists and turns have become less painful..................and the house is still quiet.



I will follow,



Greg

Roller Coaster II and "stuff"

So the day has finally come. The first part of the roller coaster ride is over and we took a short rest in the middle of the run although we are still reeling from the first part and will still have to deal with the fallout from that part of our lives. You know where I mean, that part of the ride where they can stop the train if there are problems on the second part of the run. Well, our train only slowed down for a short bit and has started the second part of the run. We cannot see the track ahead only that we are on the right path and we know that path will have twists and turns and ends at the station.

Judy and I (and Sammy too) packed our "stuff" from our 3 bedroom home of 12 years, threw out a bunch of "stuff" and sold a bunch of "stuff" on a rummage sale. What did we discover? We still have too much "stuff" to fit neatly in a 3 bedroom apartment that we will reside in for the next 2 years. And it makes me wonder why we have so much "stuff". For instance we are two people so why do we need 16 glasses in the kitchen? I guess it's a throw back to when we had a few other people living at home. So Judy and I will continue to downsize and hopefully get our "stuff" down to a size we can handle. We know we have several more moves ahead of us so we'll take this time to figure out what we need compared to what we have.

God has given us a comfortable life and while we are feeling the crimp of our finances, space, health, age and the twist and turns of the roller coaster we both know that He will take care of our needs as He has done for all of our lives.

Praise Him!



Greg

Roller Coaster and Quiet

Roller Coaster.

Judy told me a while back that it felt like we were on a roller coaster and we were on the uphill climb to the top of the big hill that will get us through the new changes in our lives. Up until the very recent that was true, but I think that last week we hit the hill and are flying through the first run of the most twisted roller coaster you can think of. The twist and turns come daily if not hourly as the attempt to close our business, sell our house, take care of all those little things that you haven't thought of for years, and keep our sanity is like balancing on a tight rope. The roller coaster allows only for quick decisions and then your on to the next part of the track, the next turn, twist, loop and yes a lot of fear. Sometime's you lose things that you can't hang onto because of the ride. It's a ride you don't necessarily want to be on but you know there is calm in the middle of the ride when you complete the first run of a long track.

It's a short calm as the train begins its next part of the ride. We are not there yet. Still in the first part of the ride. It's scary.....

Quiet.

Kate's been out of the house for a long time now although she came to visit last week because a friend of hers got married and it was Sammy's graduation (YEAH SAMMY). Kate left on Friday and took Jack (Jack Jack as she calls him) our/her dog (as well as a pickup truck load of "stuff")and on Sunday Sammy moved to the family's home that she is being a Nanny at for this summer. I woke up on Monday morning and discovered a lot of quiet in our house. There was no dog to feed and let out and I knew there would be none of the usual good morning from Sammy.

It was truly quiet. It was not the same quiet I knew before, because I am an early riser. It was always "quiet" when I got up. It was a different quiet. An emotional quiet. A quiet of what was to come from now on.

I don't really know how I feel about this quiet. I'm proud of Kate and Sammy and I'm glad they are moving on to the next steps of their lives. It is an exciting time for them and I've been there and I know what that's like. But I feel the quiet we haven't had for as long as I can remember. I'm not sure how I feel about it.

Roller Coasters and Quiet. Kind of the same thing only different. God has called and I'm finally listening. There will be more Roller Coasters and Quiet.

Praise Him!

Greg

Clowns

I've never fancied myself as someone who feels called to work with youth and it's never really been on my "radar" to oversee a youth group so I was surprised when I felt called to help direct the new Clown Troupe service. To get started I gathered some other members of the church to help come up with a new service with a few new ideas. Well, after hours of rehearsal time, some lengthy discussions about "change" and a lot of prayer, they led worship last weekend at all 3 services at Hopeful. I am proud of the work they did.

Here are some observations of the past 3 months:

+We have a wonderful congregation at Hopeful for without their vision, trust and faith this type of worship would not be possible. For that I am truly thankful.

+Our youth are not afraid to work, have fun, listen and give their opinions. This service is a combination of work from adults as well as a lot of input from the youth. Many ideas within the service came from them whether they know it or not. They gave it all they had and it showed.

+We have some dedicated parents in our church. Without them this amount of work could not be accomplished. They choreographed, directed, provided food, helped make props and just jumped in where needed.

+This service is still emotional for me even after seeing it over and over during the rehearsal period. It really talks to today's and yesterdays congregational members. After all, the music might be different but the message isn't.

As we prepared for service on Saturday night there were some concerns about how it would all come together and as we joined together in prayer I reminded them to trust God, not fear and all would be good.

And it was.

Greg

Update

I thought I would take a minute or two and update everyone on where the process towards ordination stands as of today since it started in the middle of January.

The application process started with an application to the ELCA (for me it's the IK Snynod). When they received the application they imediately sent a packet to my home church (Hopeful Lutheran in Florence KY) and they confirmed and sponsored my application (thanks council!). I then also had to fill out paperwork for a background check and additional paper work to be sent to the company that does my psychological analysis . I then took psych tests that took about 4 hours to complete. Today I met, face to face, with a psychologist to discuss the results of the tests (which was favorable) as well getting the chance for them to meet with me.

During all of this time the search for a seminary began. After visiting Wartburg in Dubuque IA, Trinity in Columbus OH and LTSS (Southern) in Columbia SC I decided on applying to Southern (again more paperwork). I received my acceptance letter from them earlier this week. Although I have been accepted it is only provisional. I cannot study under the MDiv program without a confirmation from the ELCA.

So the only remaining step in the application process is the formal interview with the IK Synod. That will take place at the end of this month (April). I will learn, at that interview, the decision which will allow me to begin my studies towards ordination.

I would like to thank all of you who have supported me up to this point through your prayer and kind words and for some of you filling out paperwork and referals. It is comforting to know that there are that many people who are willing to stand behind me in this process.

In His name,

Greg

Don't judge the guy fixing his car in the Walmart parking lot.

So Saturday was a great day. Judy and I went to church for choir rehearsal in the morning and then stayed the afternoon to make some signs for the Clown Troup (thanks for your help Sammy!). That evening the young kids were hosting their annual Spaghetti Dinner, so we stayed for some good food and fun antics of the "bread kids" and the "dessert cart kids".

We needed to do a little shopping so we opted to stop at Walmart. After picking a few things up we came back to the van and it wouldn't start (dead battery). So what to do? Well, after thinking about it for a few minutes I realized we were at Walmart and they sell batteries and for some reason I happened to have all of my tools in the back of the van. Another quick trip back into the store and returned with a new battery.

So if you have ever seen that person working on the car in the Walmart parking lot, just remember, it may have been us.

So I'm wondering? Why did this happen at Walmart? Why did I have my tools in the van that day? Why was it a nice evening?

Thanks God.

What are your plans?

What are your plans?

We really try to plan our lives out in nice neat rows and columns but then He calls.

What are your plans?

You finish high school, go to college and get married and He calls again.

What are your plans?

You get your degree find a job and keep running down that column of your life. Then He calls again.

What are your plans?

You have children who you take care of and when they need you they call. He continues to call you.

What are your plans?

You stay active in the church thinking that's what He wants. He calls at you louder.

What are your plans?

You see a downturn in the economy so you change your focus at work, cut expenses, employees, travel and anything else you can think of and tell yourself that you can ride this out. His call is always there and it becomes hard to ignore.

What are your plans?

You finally realize you need to change the column that your in to the one He wants you on. So, it's not what are your plans but.......

What are His plans???????

A tale of two new students

So we took our daughter Sammy to visit Murray State in SW Kentucky on Monday. I think she had decided she wasn't going to like the visit because she had really liked Drury in Springfield MO. After a tour of campus, meeting with the councelors and a professor she got back in the car and said "oh snap". What she meant was that she liked the campus and now she had to make a decision between the two. She is now doing the plus/minus thing and trying to determine where she wants to go.

When Judy and I left Wednesday morning Sammy said to me "have a safe trip and don't like it (Southern Seminary) too much because it's the farthest one away". So Judy and I drove 500 miles through rain and mountains to get to Columbia SC sometime in the late afternoon. After getting the key to our apartment for the night and visiting the school on Thursday morning I had to say the same thing that Sammy did. I said "oh snap" but not for the same reasons. I discovered that this is the place I was supposed to go to seminary. My problem was that I now had to tell Sammy that this is the college I wanted to attend.

Open letter to my family

Greetings to my wife and two wonderful daughters. I wanted to write a quick note to you as I progress towards this new life of ministry to God. It will be a long (or short as it may be) process towards ordination and I am glad to have your prayers and support during this time. The decision to follow the Lord was an easy one. The other decisions are, and have been, much more difficult.

First of all to Kate. Thank you for your continued support as Mom and I move in this new direction. I like your excitement when you call to find out how "the next step" went or what I thought of the most recent Seminary visits. It's funny when you call and we are still driving home from the visit. I am proud of your progress and look forward to seeing where God takes you.


To Sammy. This process is the hardest on you as you have many changes in your life all at once. You are going to graduate from High School, Move to college (in a far away city!) and losing what you know to be your "home". I can't imagine what you are feeling exactly but be assured that I am sometimes more scared than you are. I know you understand that the good Lord will take care of all of those little things that you and I are worried about, but that doesn't make it any easier.

Judy, I can only thank you for your understanding and patience as we move toward a new way of life. We have been working side by side for 17 years and I will miss that but I am also excited about this trek that God has put me on. We have moved several times in our life and each move has been an adventure and these next moves (possibly 4 times in the next 4-5 years) will be no exception.

I love you all very much and I pray every day that God guides us and leads us to where we belong.

Greg/Dad

The trek to the Call

It's been a long time, about 30 years or so, that I can recall my first call to ministry. It's kind of weird as you don't realize it at the time, but there it was, God calling you to his work. I was a Catholic at the time and I didn't think about it like that at all. It was more like "wonderment" at what was happening at Mass and the grandeur that it is. I thought about it for a while then just brushed it off as nothing. It again came to me when I was sixteen I and felt compelled to think more about it so I asked some questions to the church leaders and was discouraged at their answers so I, again, put the whole thing on the back burner. Not long after that I began to date Judy and attending church with her. It was St Paul's Lutheran church (in good old Crookston, MN) and I enjoyed the service and the fellowship and best of all the members of her church were able to answer many of the questions that I had about their faith. I looked forward to attending church with Judy, but just as much, the fulfillment I felt during and after worship.

Many years, several churches and a couple of children later Judy and I find ourselves at Hopeful Lutheran Church in Florence KY. I began to become very involved in the church and I felt, from time to time, that call come back to me. Then about November (2008) I began to feel the urgency of my call and could no longer ignore it. That urgency is what has brought me to where I am today. I have filed the paper work, been interviewed a few times, taken 4 hours of psych evaluation tests and am visiting Seminaries to determine where I (with God's help) would like to study.

And now I get to wait for the next step.

First Blog

I thought it would be interesting to keep a blog of my trip towards ordination in the ELCA so here, it seems, I have started one. I hope to do at least an entry a week and if you happen upon this blog I hope that you read it and take from it a little of me and what I'm going through in this process.