Today we are into the second week of February and I'm realizing that I neglected to post much of anything last month. So, a little recap of January is in order. The month can basically be summed up with "Family and a Transmission."
Bad news first, as I was driving out to a high school basketball game my truck started making this horrible noise, like it was dying. I though something broke off the undercarriage and was dragging or something. It was awful! I stopped and grabbed the flashlight and looked under and saw nothing visible wrong, so I tried to drive back towards town but it got worse! So I stopped and called a friend for help. Not knowing what was wrong I called AAA for a tow and had it taken to the shop.
The next day I called and they said they thought it was my transfer case and that to replace it with a used one would cost about $1100. After I picked myself up off the floor, I said okay I'll find the money. Well I got the money (it was for taxes, but it was all I had so I didn't really have a choice) and they started to fix it. But when they got the transfer case off, they discovered it wasn't that, but actually my transmission. So they told me that now it would cost $1600.
I called my loan company and decided that I still owed too much on the truck to get rid of it and get a new a loan. I just didn't want to do that. So I had to find the money, which meant waiting for pay day and skipping payments of some bills. I rounded up the money and last week I was able to get my truck back, although now I am broke. I am SUPER thankful to my friends Rob & Colleen for letting me borrow their extra car for most of the month and friends who filled my tank for me so I can drive my truck to work. I am also thankful to everyone who has/will feed me over the next couple weeks til I get paid again. :)
In the midst of my truck woes, I took a vacation back to Oregon to visit family and friends (who are also family). The trip was mostly for my beautiful niece's 1st Birthday! Nora has grown up so much and is the absolute CUTEST girl in the entire world. I'm serious! It was so fun to see her and spend time with her mom and dad too and my Momma and other siblings as well. I also got to take my Grandpa out to lunch (Chinese, our favorite!) which was really awesome. After a long weekend with the fam I got to drive over the mountain to Bend to see my family there. I didn't get to see everyone I'd hoped to, mostly thanks to a snow day, but I had a great time with everyone I did see. LOVED seeing my kids especially, and also going in person to Bible study instead of through skype! So good to see everyone, can't wait for June when I'll go back for some graduations!
That's pretty much the highlights of January. I can't believe it's already February 7th. Time flies when you're having fun...or not really having fun. Bottom line is God is good ALL the time and even when things are crummy, He gives us amazing people to love us through the tough times. I am blessed!
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Monday, January 2, 2012
Happy New Year!
Well 2011 is a thing of the past and we have begun 2012! I for one prefer even numbers, so I am already happy with this year. :) I am definitely looking forward to this year and all the blessings God has in store!
I'm not really one to make "New Year's Resolutions." I understand the purpose and timing, but I really think that sometimes we set ourselves up to fail or are too specific in our resolutions. For instance, "starting Jan. 1st I'm going to stop eating junk, excercise every day and lose 50 lbs by summer." Well it sounds good, but there's no way I'm going to stop eating junk all together (it's too much of a habit! ;) ), and excercising every day would be awesome, but also not realistic to think that I will do it EVERY day, and losing 50lbs would be awesome, but if I only lose 25 by summer am I a failure? I guess I just know myself and realize that while this style of resolution might be a great motivation and totally work for some people, it's just not my style.
So I'm not going to play that game. Instead I'd rather think big picture and work on things over the year, with no hard and fast dealines or super specific goals. And I think my big picture focus is going to be on Health, not just physical, but financial, emotional, spiritual, and in relationships too. So in all the things I do everyday I hope to have "Health" on my mind and I hope that will guide me to making good choices to support my Health in a variety of areas. And realizing that I am not perfect and will fail at times, I will commit this to prayer. I will ask God to help me to be mindful of this and stay focused on Him, because I know that when I do everything else always falls into place. :)
So a happy and HEALTHY New Year to you!
I'm not really one to make "New Year's Resolutions." I understand the purpose and timing, but I really think that sometimes we set ourselves up to fail or are too specific in our resolutions. For instance, "starting Jan. 1st I'm going to stop eating junk, excercise every day and lose 50 lbs by summer." Well it sounds good, but there's no way I'm going to stop eating junk all together (it's too much of a habit! ;) ), and excercising every day would be awesome, but also not realistic to think that I will do it EVERY day, and losing 50lbs would be awesome, but if I only lose 25 by summer am I a failure? I guess I just know myself and realize that while this style of resolution might be a great motivation and totally work for some people, it's just not my style.
So I'm not going to play that game. Instead I'd rather think big picture and work on things over the year, with no hard and fast dealines or super specific goals. And I think my big picture focus is going to be on Health, not just physical, but financial, emotional, spiritual, and in relationships too. So in all the things I do everyday I hope to have "Health" on my mind and I hope that will guide me to making good choices to support my Health in a variety of areas. And realizing that I am not perfect and will fail at times, I will commit this to prayer. I will ask God to help me to be mindful of this and stay focused on Him, because I know that when I do everything else always falls into place. :)
So a happy and HEALTHY New Year to you!
Monday, December 19, 2011
Lorien's Christmas Letter 2011; The Unabridged Version
Christmas Greetings!
I pray this letter finds you well and enjoying the season! I can’t believe that 2011 is already coming to a close. It has been a year filled with many blessings and a few struggles, but as always, God remains faithful and continues to shower us with His blessings. I will apologize in advance for the length of this letter, but it’s been quite a year! J That being said, here is my year in review…
June
I jumped right into life at Zion and experienced the Youth Rummage Sale for the first time. Huge amount of work, but a successful event! We also had a Jr. High Lock-in this month and I enjoyed getting to meet my junior higher. At Zion my Call is to do Jr. High and High School Youth Ministry and I love it! On the 20th I met with the Chaplains of the Rapid City Police Department for the first time. I was so excited to plug into this ministry, and I jumped right in (as if that should surprise any of you) and started doing ride alongs and being “on call.”
July
August
While I was still in Oregon, I got word that there had been a shooting in Rapid City and three of our officers had been shot, two of them fatally. When I got back to Rapid a few days later, I did what I could to be there for all our officers, attending the services, spending time at the station, riding with officers and accompanying them while they guarded their fallen and wounded brothers. It was a devastating event for our Department and community. In the midst of this, I was humbled and thankful that God has laid the Police Chaplain ministry on my heart and that He brought me to Rapid City to minister to the RCPD in addition to my Call to Zion. I am thankful that I could be there for the officers during this tragic time and as they have gone back to life as “normal.” The rest of August was a little brighter for me as I had a visit from Pastor Bob & Donna from Bend. It was fun to see them and show them around my new home. I also travelled to Boston for Sarah & Kevin’s wedding. I had a blast and I’m so thankful I could be a part of their big day! Congrats again you two! J
September
We started Confirmation and Youth Group for the school year this month and got into a “regular” schedule. It has been fun getting to know the high schoolers. We have awesome youth here at Zion! On the 8th my Grandmother Violet Petersen went home to be with her Lord and Savior. We are very sad to lose her in this life, but we rejoice that she is at home now with Jesus. I was able to go home for her service and although it was a sad time, I enjoyed spending time with family.
October
This month I took the Confirmation students on their fall retreat. I also met the other DCEs in our South Dakota district. There are only 5 of us in the district, and I am the only one in Western SD. We do have two DCE Interns in Rapid City, and I’ve really enjoyed meeting with them and planning combined events!
November
This month I took three high school girls to a youth gathering in Omaha, Nebraska. We had a great time and I’m really glad I had the opportunity to get to know these awesome ladies better! I signed up for the RCPD Citizens Police Academy and began those classes this month. I figured since I spend so much time with those guys, it would be good for me to take the course and get to know my Department a little better. It has been a blast so far, especially our EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operations Course) day when I got to drive a patrol car fast and squeal tires! SO fun! J I spent Thanksgiving here in Rapid and was adopted by a couple families (Thank you Schwan & Sayles families!)
December
2012 is already shaping up to be a jam packed year! Next month I’ll travel back to Oregon for Miss Nora’s 1st birthday and some quality time with my family and friends. In April, my brother & sister in law will welcome a baby into their family. I’m excited to be an Auntie again! In June I’m looking forward to travelling home to Bend for high school graduations. And in August I will hopefully attend my 10 year high school class reunion (can’t believe I’ve been out for 10 years already! Yikes!).
I pray this letter finds you well and enjoying the season! I can’t believe that 2011 is already coming to a close. It has been a year filled with many blessings and a few struggles, but as always, God remains faithful and continues to shower us with His blessings. I will apologize in advance for the length of this letter, but it’s been quite a year! J That being said, here is my year in review…
January
After much waiting and anticipation, my beautiful niece Nora Bree entered the world on the 14th! I was so blessed to be there just seconds after she made her debut. She is just amazing and has been a wonderful addition to the family. I was blessed to attend a weeklong training with the International Conference of Police Chaplains. It was fabulous, and it really re-energized my passion for this ministry.
February
We started off the month with another great year at L.E.S.T. with my Cheerleaders once again taking 1st place in their competition (GO Saints!)! I became a Godmother again as Nora was baptized into the family of God on the 20th. The 27th marked the anniversary of my Dad’s Heavenly home going. It was hard to believe it had already been a year. I still miss him every day. That day was also marked the beginning of a new adventure in my life, as I received a call from a church in South Dakota wanting to interview me for a Youth Development position. I accepted the interview and the adventure began...March
A few days after my phone interview, Zion Lutheran Church in Rapid City, SD extended me a Call to be their Youth Development Leader/DCE. I think I knew from the day they first called me that God was calling me to South Dakota; however that doesn’t mean I didn’t fight Him a bit. J I prayed for red flags, but there were none to be found. I said I wouldn’t go unless there were Police Chaplains in town, and I found out there were. A quick trip to Rapid City confirmed what I’d known in my heart the whole time that God was indeed calling me to Zion, so I accepted the Call and began preparations to move out of the state of Oregon for the first time in my life.April
I don’t remember much from April, except that it was crazy busy and hard as I began the process of preparing to move and say goodbye to the people who had become my family in Bend, including all of my kids at Trinity (I love you guys and truly miss you all!). I also attended my last meeting as a Trustee for the McLoughlin Memorial Association. That was super hard, as I’d been involved with the MMA for over half of my life. Those people really watched me grow up so it was hard to say goodbye. May
think this month was the busiest craziest month of my life so far!! My last two weeks in Oregon consisted of living with barely any belongings after the moving truck came, helping with and attending the COPC Auction, Farewell Parties (Thank you Krauses, Eidlers, Hasses & my kids!), the TLS MS/HS Spring Musical that I directed (and it was TOTALLY awesome! My kids did an amazing job. Super proud of all of them!!), and my last Sunday at Trinity. It was so so hard to say goodbye to my family and friends in Bend and Oregon City, but I was excited for the big adventure God had planned for me. I left Oregon on the 16th with my Mom, Oreyo, & Sam and we began our trek to the Black Hills. We arrived around midnight on the 20th. I was installed at Zion on the 22nd and life in South Dakota began!June
I jumped right into life at Zion and experienced the Youth Rummage Sale for the first time. Huge amount of work, but a successful event! We also had a Jr. High Lock-in this month and I enjoyed getting to meet my junior higher. At Zion my Call is to do Jr. High and High School Youth Ministry and I love it! On the 20th I met with the Chaplains of the Rapid City Police Department for the first time. I was so excited to plug into this ministry, and I jumped right in (as if that should surprise any of you) and started doing ride alongs and being “on call.”
July
This month we had some students from Hong Kong visit our churches in the Black Hills and I had the opportunity to spend some time with the group. I took my Jr. Highers on their annual campout at the Rushmore KOA. We had a blast! I went home to Oregon for a quick visit and enjoyed seeing my family (especially Nora! J) in O.C. & Bend!
August
While I was still in Oregon, I got word that there had been a shooting in Rapid City and three of our officers had been shot, two of them fatally. When I got back to Rapid a few days later, I did what I could to be there for all our officers, attending the services, spending time at the station, riding with officers and accompanying them while they guarded their fallen and wounded brothers. It was a devastating event for our Department and community. In the midst of this, I was humbled and thankful that God has laid the Police Chaplain ministry on my heart and that He brought me to Rapid City to minister to the RCPD in addition to my Call to Zion. I am thankful that I could be there for the officers during this tragic time and as they have gone back to life as “normal.” The rest of August was a little brighter for me as I had a visit from Pastor Bob & Donna from Bend. It was fun to see them and show them around my new home. I also travelled to Boston for Sarah & Kevin’s wedding. I had a blast and I’m so thankful I could be a part of their big day! Congrats again you two! J
September
We started Confirmation and Youth Group for the school year this month and got into a “regular” schedule. It has been fun getting to know the high schoolers. We have awesome youth here at Zion! On the 8th my Grandmother Violet Petersen went home to be with her Lord and Savior. We are very sad to lose her in this life, but we rejoice that she is at home now with Jesus. I was able to go home for her service and although it was a sad time, I enjoyed spending time with family.
October
This month I took the Confirmation students on their fall retreat. I also met the other DCEs in our South Dakota district. There are only 5 of us in the district, and I am the only one in Western SD. We do have two DCE Interns in Rapid City, and I’ve really enjoyed meeting with them and planning combined events!
November
This month I took three high school girls to a youth gathering in Omaha, Nebraska. We had a great time and I’m really glad I had the opportunity to get to know these awesome ladies better! I signed up for the RCPD Citizens Police Academy and began those classes this month. I figured since I spend so much time with those guys, it would be good for me to take the course and get to know my Department a little better. It has been a blast so far, especially our EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operations Course) day when I got to drive a patrol car fast and squeal tires! SO fun! J I spent Thanksgiving here in Rapid and was adopted by a couple families (Thank you Schwan & Sayles families!)
December
And here we are at December. This month is full of youth Christmas parties, Christmas programs, and special worship services. I will spend Christmas here but will hopefully get to Skype with the family back home!
2012 is already shaping up to be a jam packed year! Next month I’ll travel back to Oregon for Miss Nora’s 1st birthday and some quality time with my family and friends. In April, my brother & sister in law will welcome a baby into their family. I’m excited to be an Auntie again! In June I’m looking forward to travelling home to Bend for high school graduations. And in August I will hopefully attend my 10 year high school class reunion (can’t believe I’ve been out for 10 years already! Yikes!).
God’s many blessings to you and your family this coming year!
Love,
Lorien
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Called
This is the daily devotion for my birthday (9/29) out of the book, Everything Counts; A Year’s Worth of Devotions for Radical Living by Steven Case. It is an adaptation of Oswald Chamber’s My Utmost for His Highest for students. The author speaks on the verse of the day and ties in Chambers’ thoughts. I thought that this one really spoke to my life so I’m sharing it!
09.29
It’s for you
Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! [1 Corinthians 9:16]
If people tell you with great authority, “This is what a call is” and “This is how it comes” and “This is what it sounds like”—then it’s truly doubtful they have ever received a call of their own. We
Re the church. We believe in the call of God. It may come like a loud, unexpected “Hey! You!” It may come as a gradual realization when we stop and look back at all the God-intervening-moments in our life and we say, “Wow, God has brought me all this way for a reason!”
When God calls guys or girls there is nothing that is going to stand in the way. Everything that happens happens so that God’s plan will be realized. You may take the long way around, but you’ll come back to the point where God wants you to be.
OZ says: If you have been obliterating the great supernatural call of God in your life, take a review of your circumstances and see where God has not been first, but your ideas of service, or your temperamental abilities. Paul said—“Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!”He had realized the call of God, and there was no competitor for his strength.
JUST BETWEEN YOU AND GOD Look back over your life. Look at the greatest, most life-changing moments. (Make a list if that makes you feel better.) God was wholly (and holy) present at each of those times. The reasons might not be clear now, but they’ll become clear. Thank God for this presence in your greatest and weakest moments.”
God is there. God has a plan.
Nothing you can do about that. Hang on. Enjoy the Ride.
09.29
It’s for you
Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! [1 Corinthians 9:16]
If people tell you with great authority, “This is what a call is” and “This is how it comes” and “This is what it sounds like”—then it’s truly doubtful they have ever received a call of their own. We
Re the church. We believe in the call of God. It may come like a loud, unexpected “Hey! You!” It may come as a gradual realization when we stop and look back at all the God-intervening-moments in our life and we say, “Wow, God has brought me all this way for a reason!”
When God calls guys or girls there is nothing that is going to stand in the way. Everything that happens happens so that God’s plan will be realized. You may take the long way around, but you’ll come back to the point where God wants you to be.
OZ says: If you have been obliterating the great supernatural call of God in your life, take a review of your circumstances and see where God has not been first, but your ideas of service, or your temperamental abilities. Paul said—“Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!”He had realized the call of God, and there was no competitor for his strength.
JUST BETWEEN YOU AND GOD Look back over your life. Look at the greatest, most life-changing moments. (Make a list if that makes you feel better.) God was wholly (and holy) present at each of those times. The reasons might not be clear now, but they’ll become clear. Thank God for this presence in your greatest and weakest moments.”
God is there. God has a plan.
Nothing you can do about that. Hang on. Enjoy the Ride.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Humbled
Have you ever stopped to think about what God has called you to? I am a called church worker and I have been called into full time ministry. But more and more I realize that doesn't even scratch the surface. From the beginning of my life, I mean the VERY beginning, God wired me a certain special way to accomplish things that he had in mind. When you really stop to think about that, that God has designed you and only you to accomplish certain things, it is a little overwhelming.
Looking back over my life (almost 28 years) it is now easy to see how every desire in my heart and choice I have made has led me to where I am now and into the ministry that is my life. This week I have really been thinking about that and I have to tell you that I am overwhelmed and humbled. I am overwhelmed by the fact that God set out such important and life impacting things for me to do and be a part of, that He created me for things such as these, and has led me to carry them through. Nothing in my life has been chance, no I am confident that each and every step has been carefully laid out before me.
Now this is not be tooting my own horn and sharing what an amazing creation I am and how many good things I have done. I just feel the need to write out how I am feeling right now, which is truly humbled. So if you're choosing to read this blog of mine (which I'm not very good at keeping up with) please bear with me.
For as long as I can remember, the desire of my heart has been to help people. When I was a kid I wanted to be a doctor when I grew up. That was my plan until high school, when a few other careers entered my mind. Into college more careers came up, but the constant was that I wanted to help people. I decided that I couldn't be a doctor because I wasn't so great at math and then eliminated myself from all science related fields as well. I felt like I settled in picking a college and a major (Elementary Education), and all the while thought I'd use it as a fall back, because I wanted to help people. God lead me to change majors to Christian Education and even then, I didn't want to work in a church, I wanted to get in the trenches and help hurting people. Even up until I was on my DCE internship, I didn't think I wanted to work for a church.
God worked on my heart and helped me to recognize and accept my Call into parish ministry. It wasn't quite the "in the trenches helping hurting people" kind of helping people, but I was helping people. (And God did provide some people who I got in the trenches with, and I learned a lot from them) I was doing what I knew God wanted me to do and it was a great feeling.
Then I heard a radio ad for a Citizen's Academy with the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office. I asked my friend Rachel about it cause she had recently started working for DCSO. It sounded like fun (perhaps due to my interest in forensic science as a high schooler or my LOVE of Law & Order) so I signed up. I really enjoyed the academy and then when we were just a couple weeks from being done, I was looking ahead in my class notebook and saw that a Police Chaplain was coming to talk to our class.
I had no idea there was such a thing as police chaplains, and I didn't even know what that really meant, but from the brief description, it sounded like helping hurting people and being Jesus to people including law enforcement personnel and the community. My heart stirred within me and the next day I emailed Jim Crowley to find out more. As I'm typing this, I am amazed that Jim got back to me so quickly and was able to meet with me so quickly. He is one busy man so I don't know how he fit me in then. I guess that was part of the plan.
I met with Jim and he told me more about COPC and he made one thing very clear, police chaplaincy is something you have to be called to. If God isn't calling you to it, then you aren't going to be able to do it. I prayed about it and really felt like God was calling me to chaplaincy. I had a new love and appreciation for our local law enforcement and wanted to give back to them for all they gave for me. And I knew that this would be truly helping hurting people, right there in the trenches. So I jumped in. It was November when I began the application process (which took months!).
At the end of February 2010 my world came to a crashing halt. My Dad died very suddenly and unexpectedly. At the end of that horrible week I got an email from Jim asking me to come in for my interview with the COPC board. The timing couldn't have been worse, but I went, and did pretty well controlling my emotions during my interview. It was a little ironic that at the time I was interviewing, it was me who really could have used a chaplain. A few weeks later my background check was finished and I was welcomed on board.
The next year I spent attending monthly training and trying to shadow on calls, but never got out much. In January of 2011 I attended a week long training with the International Conference of Police Chaplains. One day we had Pain Behind the Badge training, a full day class on police suicide. That training sealed the deal for me on this chaplain thing. More officers commit suicide every year than die in the line of duty and that is so needless and terrible. If I could use the gifts and heart that God had given me to be a resource to these men and women and in doing so help them to choose life, I wanted to do it.
A couple months after that training I met with Jim to talk about ramping up my chaplain work. I asked if I could start doing ride alongs most every weekend. After a good conversation about what that means and all the dangers involved (and promising not to get hurt), Jim said okay, that he would talk to the patrol captains at BPD and DCSO and I could start riding every weekend. So I went out and bought some new boots (cause I learned in my conversation with Jim that it's important to have proper footwear if you're running around with the cops :) ) and was so excited to do more chaplain work. I really felt like God was confirming this path and had also given me the green light.
Four days later I received a phone call from a church in South Dakota wanting to interview me for a youth ministry position. I said yes, although I was not keen on moving because I was going to be a very active police chaplain in Bend. Well the interview went great and I guess they liked me because just a few days after that they extended me a Call. I was frustrated because I really thought that I had discerned what God wanted me to do and now there was another option on the table. So me being stubborn said that I was not moving there unless they had chaplains.
Well it didn't take long to find out they did have chaplains with the RCPD and after much struggling & stubbornness I knew God was calling me east. A quick trip to SD confirmed that and I accepted the call. I jumped right in with the chaplaincy and had lots of questions for my Lt. (and probably have been driving him crazy with all of them) and started riding along with the officers within a month of landing in Rapid City. My real job was awesome and my Pastor was very supportive of me being involved in Chaplain Ministry.
It was while I was home on vacation that the unthinkable happened, a fatal shooting involving three RCPD Officers. All I could think of when I heard the news of one dead and two seriously injured was, "I should be there." Three days later I was back in town and headed for the PD. That weekend I spent several hours just hanging out at the station, riding with officers and joining them for guard duty for their brothers at the hospital and funeral home, attending a procession, viewing, wake, and a funeral. The next week started with news of the loss of our second officer and has continued with another viewing, funeral, and procession.
It was after the funeral yesterday that I stopped and God brought to my mind all that I have just written. I am here in Rapid City for just a time as this. God has used my stubbornness, my passions, my skills, and my heart to bring me to this place at this time for his purpose. I am humbled that God has called me here at this time to serve the men and women of the RCPD.
I do not have a savior complex, I do not think that I am here to save people or to save the department. I do not think that I will single handily get them through this time of tragedy. And I am very much aware that if I wasn't here, they would carry on fine without me. But I am truly honored and humbled that God has put me here to be a part of the healing and that he trusts me to serve these men and women during this time. I thank God for every minute I am able to spend with these guys and that I am able to just be present with them during this time.
Even three years ago, I never would have imagined that God would lead me here. But to look back on my life and see that God was preparing and shaping me every step of the way to be where I am right now, it amazing. I am overwhelmed that God has led me here at this time and has put this desire in my heart to help hurting people and serve our law enforcement officers. I pray that God would keep me mindful of this and keep me humble so that He can truly work through me to accomplish his purposes.
Humbled to be His vessel,
Lorien
Looking back over my life (almost 28 years) it is now easy to see how every desire in my heart and choice I have made has led me to where I am now and into the ministry that is my life. This week I have really been thinking about that and I have to tell you that I am overwhelmed and humbled. I am overwhelmed by the fact that God set out such important and life impacting things for me to do and be a part of, that He created me for things such as these, and has led me to carry them through. Nothing in my life has been chance, no I am confident that each and every step has been carefully laid out before me.
Now this is not be tooting my own horn and sharing what an amazing creation I am and how many good things I have done. I just feel the need to write out how I am feeling right now, which is truly humbled. So if you're choosing to read this blog of mine (which I'm not very good at keeping up with) please bear with me.
For as long as I can remember, the desire of my heart has been to help people. When I was a kid I wanted to be a doctor when I grew up. That was my plan until high school, when a few other careers entered my mind. Into college more careers came up, but the constant was that I wanted to help people. I decided that I couldn't be a doctor because I wasn't so great at math and then eliminated myself from all science related fields as well. I felt like I settled in picking a college and a major (Elementary Education), and all the while thought I'd use it as a fall back, because I wanted to help people. God lead me to change majors to Christian Education and even then, I didn't want to work in a church, I wanted to get in the trenches and help hurting people. Even up until I was on my DCE internship, I didn't think I wanted to work for a church.
God worked on my heart and helped me to recognize and accept my Call into parish ministry. It wasn't quite the "in the trenches helping hurting people" kind of helping people, but I was helping people. (And God did provide some people who I got in the trenches with, and I learned a lot from them) I was doing what I knew God wanted me to do and it was a great feeling.
Then I heard a radio ad for a Citizen's Academy with the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office. I asked my friend Rachel about it cause she had recently started working for DCSO. It sounded like fun (perhaps due to my interest in forensic science as a high schooler or my LOVE of Law & Order) so I signed up. I really enjoyed the academy and then when we were just a couple weeks from being done, I was looking ahead in my class notebook and saw that a Police Chaplain was coming to talk to our class.
I had no idea there was such a thing as police chaplains, and I didn't even know what that really meant, but from the brief description, it sounded like helping hurting people and being Jesus to people including law enforcement personnel and the community. My heart stirred within me and the next day I emailed Jim Crowley to find out more. As I'm typing this, I am amazed that Jim got back to me so quickly and was able to meet with me so quickly. He is one busy man so I don't know how he fit me in then. I guess that was part of the plan.
I met with Jim and he told me more about COPC and he made one thing very clear, police chaplaincy is something you have to be called to. If God isn't calling you to it, then you aren't going to be able to do it. I prayed about it and really felt like God was calling me to chaplaincy. I had a new love and appreciation for our local law enforcement and wanted to give back to them for all they gave for me. And I knew that this would be truly helping hurting people, right there in the trenches. So I jumped in. It was November when I began the application process (which took months!).
At the end of February 2010 my world came to a crashing halt. My Dad died very suddenly and unexpectedly. At the end of that horrible week I got an email from Jim asking me to come in for my interview with the COPC board. The timing couldn't have been worse, but I went, and did pretty well controlling my emotions during my interview. It was a little ironic that at the time I was interviewing, it was me who really could have used a chaplain. A few weeks later my background check was finished and I was welcomed on board.
The next year I spent attending monthly training and trying to shadow on calls, but never got out much. In January of 2011 I attended a week long training with the International Conference of Police Chaplains. One day we had Pain Behind the Badge training, a full day class on police suicide. That training sealed the deal for me on this chaplain thing. More officers commit suicide every year than die in the line of duty and that is so needless and terrible. If I could use the gifts and heart that God had given me to be a resource to these men and women and in doing so help them to choose life, I wanted to do it.
A couple months after that training I met with Jim to talk about ramping up my chaplain work. I asked if I could start doing ride alongs most every weekend. After a good conversation about what that means and all the dangers involved (and promising not to get hurt), Jim said okay, that he would talk to the patrol captains at BPD and DCSO and I could start riding every weekend. So I went out and bought some new boots (cause I learned in my conversation with Jim that it's important to have proper footwear if you're running around with the cops :) ) and was so excited to do more chaplain work. I really felt like God was confirming this path and had also given me the green light.
Four days later I received a phone call from a church in South Dakota wanting to interview me for a youth ministry position. I said yes, although I was not keen on moving because I was going to be a very active police chaplain in Bend. Well the interview went great and I guess they liked me because just a few days after that they extended me a Call. I was frustrated because I really thought that I had discerned what God wanted me to do and now there was another option on the table. So me being stubborn said that I was not moving there unless they had chaplains.
Well it didn't take long to find out they did have chaplains with the RCPD and after much struggling & stubbornness I knew God was calling me east. A quick trip to SD confirmed that and I accepted the call. I jumped right in with the chaplaincy and had lots of questions for my Lt. (and probably have been driving him crazy with all of them) and started riding along with the officers within a month of landing in Rapid City. My real job was awesome and my Pastor was very supportive of me being involved in Chaplain Ministry.
It was while I was home on vacation that the unthinkable happened, a fatal shooting involving three RCPD Officers. All I could think of when I heard the news of one dead and two seriously injured was, "I should be there." Three days later I was back in town and headed for the PD. That weekend I spent several hours just hanging out at the station, riding with officers and joining them for guard duty for their brothers at the hospital and funeral home, attending a procession, viewing, wake, and a funeral. The next week started with news of the loss of our second officer and has continued with another viewing, funeral, and procession.
It was after the funeral yesterday that I stopped and God brought to my mind all that I have just written. I am here in Rapid City for just a time as this. God has used my stubbornness, my passions, my skills, and my heart to bring me to this place at this time for his purpose. I am humbled that God has called me here at this time to serve the men and women of the RCPD.
I do not have a savior complex, I do not think that I am here to save people or to save the department. I do not think that I will single handily get them through this time of tragedy. And I am very much aware that if I wasn't here, they would carry on fine without me. But I am truly honored and humbled that God has put me here to be a part of the healing and that he trusts me to serve these men and women during this time. I thank God for every minute I am able to spend with these guys and that I am able to just be present with them during this time.
Even three years ago, I never would have imagined that God would lead me here. But to look back on my life and see that God was preparing and shaping me every step of the way to be where I am right now, it amazing. I am overwhelmed that God has led me here at this time and has put this desire in my heart to help hurting people and serve our law enforcement officers. I pray that God would keep me mindful of this and keep me humble so that He can truly work through me to accomplish his purposes.
Humbled to be His vessel,
Lorien
Friday, July 8, 2011
July
Well it's been awhile since I've blogged! I have been busy. Let's see...I've been in Rapid City for seven weeks. In some ways it seems like I just got here and in others it seems like I've been here forever. I am definitely more settled at work than at home. I need to finish unpacking...just need to find (or make) the time to do it. Work is wonderful! I love the people at Zion. They have made me feel right at home.
Everyone asks how the pets are doing and Sam & Oreyo are doing great. They don't seem to be traumatized one bit. And I think they're even getting used to not being allowed in my bedroom. Score!
The weather here has been kind of a mixed bag, lots of rainy days and a few real hot ones. The folks here says it usually doesn't rain that much, but so far I'm not sure that I believe that. We've had some great thunderstorms which I love. Oreyo does not. Maybe he'll get used to them?
My first Fourth of July was good. Went to a small town parade, BBQ, and watched the fireworks (great show!). Got bitten by about 20 mosquitoes though. Not so fun now, but better than my no-see-um experience in Guatemala with 180+ bites!
Later this month (the 24-26) I'll take the Jr. High Youth on their annual KOA camp out. I'm looking forward to that! Then hopefully I'll be able to zip over to Fairmont, MN to see Amber in her musical (she's the Narrator in my all time FAVORITE show, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) Wednesday night and then the next morning I fly out of Pierre to come home!
My dear friend Lisa is getting married on the 30th in Gladstone, which is the main reason I'm coming home. I'm also looking forward to spending a couple days with my family and friends in Oregon City and then a few days with my Bend family! Can't wait to see everyone.
Well that's all I've got for now. I will try to keep this updated more regularly.
Peace!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
My how things have changed...
So I was looking at the Notes on my facebook account and found this from a few years ago. I thought it was funny how some things have changed so I'm sharing it with my updates in purple...
25 Random things about me
by Lorien Petersen on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 11:27pm
I've been hit... Once you have been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about yourself. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.
1. I am a Director of Christian Education NOT a Youth Director (although that is part of my Call)HA! Now I am a Youth Development Leader...guess I'm over that "don't put me in the youth ministry box" phase. :)
2. I don't like odd numbers Still don't, although my 27th year has been a good one
3. I like things to be balanced, although I can't seem to balance my life Yes, but I'm trying to balance my life!
4. I was born in Oregon City and Bend is the farthest I've ever lived from home Nope, now instead of 155 miles away I'm 1220 miles. :(
5. I have a dog named Oreyo, he's pretty amazing He is totally amazing! And now we've added Sam to our family
6. I have been in 7 musicals, mostly community theatre And I've directed one, and assistant directed one with two awesome casts of kids
7. I have worked for a professional theatre company twice doing props And I MISS theatre!
8. I love to dance and take classes in tap and jazz Can't wait to start again!
9. I was the captain of the Mt. Pleasant Safety Patrol when I was in the 6th grade And I still like to be in charge...
10. I hate running But now for some odd reason, I'm motivated to run a 5K in October
11. I love to sing, especially really high (as in high notes, not while on drugs) :)
12. I hate shrimp And probably always will
13. I love horseback riding and used to take English riding lessons But now I'd rather ride western
14. I love snow, not driving in it, but watching it and playing in it I'm thankful that I learned to drive in the snow in Bend
15. Clouds are my favorite thing in God's creation YES! And I've seen some sunsets here in Rapid that rival Central Oregon's :)
16. I love the ocean and don't ever want to live more than a few hours from it Yea...now I'm at least 20 hours away
17. My favorite color combo is brown and teal Yes!!
18. I hope to get married some day and have kids Hopefully sooner rather than later
19. I love history and have worked in history for over half of my life Yep, still a history nerd ;)
20. As sappy as it sounds, Dirty Dancing really is my favorite movie Now I've had the time of my life...
21. I love to go to rodeos Yeehaw! Can't wait for some in SD this summer!
22. My favorite holiday is Easter, gotta love that resurrection! He IS Risen!
23. I love to laugh, especially when i laugh so much that it makes my stomach hurt Especially with good friends!
24. I love going to art galleries But I haven't been in forever, maybe I should do that
25. I play the clarinet, and have for like 13 years It's been a good year since I've picked it up though.
Hope you enjoyed the randomness! ;)
It's always fun to go back and read things you've written a few years ago. Makes me think of my "man list" that I shared with my HS Bible study girls. That's one I will NOT be sharing on here though. :)
25 Random things about me
by Lorien Petersen on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 11:27pm
I've been hit... Once you have been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about yourself. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.
1. I am a Director of Christian Education NOT a Youth Director (although that is part of my Call)HA! Now I am a Youth Development Leader...guess I'm over that "don't put me in the youth ministry box" phase. :)
2. I don't like odd numbers Still don't, although my 27th year has been a good one
3. I like things to be balanced, although I can't seem to balance my life Yes, but I'm trying to balance my life!
4. I was born in Oregon City and Bend is the farthest I've ever lived from home Nope, now instead of 155 miles away I'm 1220 miles. :(
5. I have a dog named Oreyo, he's pretty amazing He is totally amazing! And now we've added Sam to our family
6. I have been in 7 musicals, mostly community theatre And I've directed one, and assistant directed one with two awesome casts of kids
7. I have worked for a professional theatre company twice doing props And I MISS theatre!
8. I love to dance and take classes in tap and jazz Can't wait to start again!
9. I was the captain of the Mt. Pleasant Safety Patrol when I was in the 6th grade And I still like to be in charge...
10. I hate running But now for some odd reason, I'm motivated to run a 5K in October
11. I love to sing, especially really high (as in high notes, not while on drugs) :)
12. I hate shrimp And probably always will
13. I love horseback riding and used to take English riding lessons But now I'd rather ride western
14. I love snow, not driving in it, but watching it and playing in it I'm thankful that I learned to drive in the snow in Bend
15. Clouds are my favorite thing in God's creation YES! And I've seen some sunsets here in Rapid that rival Central Oregon's :)
16. I love the ocean and don't ever want to live more than a few hours from it Yea...now I'm at least 20 hours away
17. My favorite color combo is brown and teal Yes!!
18. I hope to get married some day and have kids Hopefully sooner rather than later
19. I love history and have worked in history for over half of my life Yep, still a history nerd ;)
20. As sappy as it sounds, Dirty Dancing really is my favorite movie Now I've had the time of my life...
21. I love to go to rodeos Yeehaw! Can't wait for some in SD this summer!
22. My favorite holiday is Easter, gotta love that resurrection! He IS Risen!
23. I love to laugh, especially when i laugh so much that it makes my stomach hurt Especially with good friends!
24. I love going to art galleries But I haven't been in forever, maybe I should do that
25. I play the clarinet, and have for like 13 years It's been a good year since I've picked it up though.
Hope you enjoyed the randomness! ;)
It's always fun to go back and read things you've written a few years ago. Makes me think of my "man list" that I shared with my HS Bible study girls. That's one I will NOT be sharing on here though. :)
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