Hello friends!

Wow, so many questions; thought i'd better hop on here and answer them! First, the green duck is Captain Squirt. He was actually found by some of my seminary friends while doing Katrina relief. He now travels with different students throughout our country and soon the world! I took him with me to Maine a few weeks back and he is now with me in Oklahoma. On Saturday he will fly with me once more to Seattle!

As for internship, I will be headed out to a town near Altoona, north of Gettysburg I think. I am very excited to experience another part of Pennsylvania and to really grown in my skills. Thanks for checking in and I will post more soon! Oh, and please keep Joey's family in your prayers, as well as all of Asher's friends.

What the heck is a "vicar"?!

The great people at wikepedia have an incredibly detailed definition of "Vicar". Here is what they have to say about the term when used in the Lutheran church:

In the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod and the Lutheran Church - Canada, a vicar is a candidate for ordained pastoral ministry, serving in a vicariate or internship, usually in the third year of seminary training. Typically at the end of the year of vicarage, the candidate returns to seminary and completes a final year of studies. After being issued a call or assignment, the candidate is ordained as a pastor in the ministry of Word and Sacrament. The role of a vicar in the Lutheran tradition is most comparable to that of a transitional deacon in the Anglican and Roman churches, except that Lutheran vicars are not ordained.
The title "Vikar," used in the Lutheran churches in Germany, is comparable.

Alright, i'm back off to pack! It is amazing, I always thought I kept my apartment somewhat neat. I'm discovering i'm a complete pig and live in a dumpster!!

Oh How Life Changes!

Seminarian friend Kelley (on right) and I at the Ocean in Maine!

Well, I am finally getting the finishing touches done on my move. It is amazing how much one can accumulate in only two years! I am surprised at how emotional it has been moving from the seminary campus. The last 2 1/2 years here has been incredibly life changing. I am actually, finally, on my way to internship.

For those who are a little confused as to what internship will entail, let me give you a very brief overview. During the next 12 months, I will have many of the same responsibilities as the Pastors (it is a husband/wife co-pastor team) yet am under their supervision. The only real difference is I am not ordained and am a student and there for educational purposes. I will have a committee that will meet with me monthly to discuss how things are going and to evaluate me. I will preach at least once a month, do visitations, Bible studies, various classes, retreats, and so on. I will also assist (not preside) in baptisms, funerals, etc. What a year it will be!

This Sunday I will leave for Oklahoma to visit Heather, Adam, and Asher. I will stay there a week then fly out to Seattle for a visit with other family and friends. Please pray for safe flights (especially with all that is going on) and for a wonderful vacation!