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…

January

After much waiting and anticipation, my beautiful niece Nora Bree entered the world on the 14^th! 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 1^st place in their competition (GO Saints!)! I became a Godmother again as Nora was baptized into the family of God on the 20^th. The 27^th 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 16^th with my Mom, Oreyo, & Sam and we began our trek to the Black Hills. We arrived around midnight on the 20^th. I was installed at Zion on the 22^nd 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 20^th 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 8^th 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 1^st 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

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.

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

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!

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. :)

Volksmarch

This morning I joined new friends, Lacey, Barry, & Natalie for the annual Crazy Horse Volksmarch. This is a 6.2 mile organized hike that happens once a year. It is the only time during the year that you can go up on top of the arm (well what will eventually be the arm) of the Crazy Horse Monument and look at it up close. The hike was pretty easy for most of the way but the last bit was steep and steady...kinda reminded me of Pilot Butte, but steeper for sure. But it was totally worth it when I got to the top. It was pretty cool.

The weather has been pretty nice here the past few days which is so nice after the rain last week. I'm starting to get a little more settled in at home and once I paint then I'll be able to get the rest unpacked and stuff up on the walls and that will be awesome. I worked all week and It was really good to get going in that area as well. Sr. High Youth group begins Wednesday and I'm really looking forward to that!

This past Monday I was able to attend my Bible study back home via Skype. It was SO SO awesome to see my friends and "be there." It makes it a little easier to be so far away. I'm looking forward to seeing them every Monday. I think that's all I have to report for now. Life in SD is going great. :)

Raining

I can't believe it's been a week since I last posted. Still no Internet at home, but I will be all connected on Thursday. For now I'm borrowing and hoping I don't get hacked! It has been raining all day...like pouring...reminds me of the Willamette Valley. Everything is green...and soggy. Oh well at least it's good "stay inside and get unpacked" weather. I'm slowly but surely making progress in this area. I have curtains up on all my windows and will hopefully be painting this week so I can get stuff hung up on the walls. One day at a time.
I went in to work a few days last week. I got my email & computer set up and my work cell phone. I also met with Pastor and our Principal to get things on my calendar for the next several months. I'm looking forward to beginning my "normal" routine this week.
Well that's it for now. I'll be posting pictures as soon as I'm more unpacked. :)

Rapid City!

Well it's been a few days since I last posted...no Internet yet. But today I'm at work and can get online! So here's an update:

Day 3...traveled from Spokane to Rapid City. Left about 7am and made it to my new home around 11:30pm. The drive was mostly okay, until the last 50 miles or so...super rainy and so much fog I couldn't see anything! Happy to have made it safe and sound!

My house...Cute...but a little rough around the edges. It's an older home and there are a few things that need some tlc...walls need painting, caulking in bathroom, new carpet (or laminate?)...so will be talking to the landlord about all of that. I like it though and I think it'll be just fine for now once those things are addressed.

Rapid City...we are finding our way around okay...thank goodness for gps on my smart phone! It's more of a city feel than Bend for sure, including beautiful city lights at night. Not sure if I'll be able to see the stars...it's been cloudy every night, but I hope I can!

Zion...is FABULOUS! The people are wonderful and welcoming. I love my office and the church/school set up. Really like the Pastor. So excited God called me here! And it's only a 5 minute drive to work...with Starbucks right on the way there and Safeway on the way home. Perfect!

Mom...is doing well and is a HUGE help in the unpacking/organizing/cleaning. Thanks Mom! :) She flies home Thursday evening and then I'll be on my own. I have lots of projects to keep her busy between now and then though, so she won't get bored. ;)

Pets...Oreyo is doing great! He's so chill, I should have known he'd adjust just fine. He has a decent backyard to play in, and we'll explore it more once it's mowed...it's kind of a jungle right now. Sam is very happy to be out of her kennel and is finally mellowing out. It took her a few days, but I think she'll be just fine. We've instituted a "no animals in the bedroom" policy, which is going GREAT for me...and just confuses the furry ones..and maybe saddens them a bit...but I LOVE it!

That's all to report for now. I should be ready to house visitors in another couple weeks, so plan your vacation to the beautiful Black Hills soon! :)

Love & Peace!!

Day 2

Petersens run late...almost always. It's an unfortunate trait that we as a clan seem to possess. And today in true Petersen fashion we left later than planned today. A little bit my fault (residual from leaving Bend so late yesterday), a little bit Mom's fault, but also we had a couple things come up that we couldn't help. My Grandma suffered a small stroke on Sunday and we needed to see her this morning at the rehab center. Couldn't go too early so we got some other stuff taken care of and went to see her a little later in the morning. She's doing okay and looks good. But the doctors are worried about her heart so she'll be in rehab for a few days.

So after all was said and done we left town at 1pm bound for South Dakota. It was fun to get texts throughout the day of friends checking in. We made it to Spokane and decided it was a good place to stop for the night. The animals are getting a break from travel. Sam is free to roam the bathroom (but it's bigger than her crate) and Oreyo is currently lounging on his Grammy's bed. He seems to be doing well with all the traveling, Sam is not too happy about it all. Just one more day kids!

Tomorrow we'll drive the rest of the way to our new home. Can't wait to get there and see my cute little house! Mom is staying til Thursday and I've got big plans for her...I should be ready for visitors by next weekend! So book your trip to the Black Hills! :)

God's peace & love!

Day 1

Well today was the day I loaded up the rest of my belongings as well as the pup and cat and headed out of Bend. Bittersweet day. Super excited for what lies ahead but SO hard to say goodbye to so many friends who have become family. But when you become family, you know you're gonna see each other again. Much love to my Bend family...TLC&S folks, Bible Study fam, & COPC. See you soon!
Now I'm in Oregon City and tomorrow begins the trip East. I spent time with my entire immediate family today, all in the same place. I can't even remember the last time we were all together like that. It was great. Also at the table was my Aunt, Unlce, & cousin and two wonderful friends. Great time sharing a meal and visiting. I just bought my mom's plane ticket home, so she'll be flying back next Thursday.
Tomorrow morning we leave on our adventure. Praying for safe roads (& other drivers), peace for Oreyo & Sam, and that the truck continues to run well and doesn't even think of having any issues.
Until tomorrow...
Lori

12 Days

In 12 short days, all of my belongings will be on a truck headed east and I will hoping in my truck and embarking on the next big adventure in my life. God has called me to Rapid City, South Dakota to continue my ministry to youth.
Today I am still excited about this new path the Lord is leading me down, but there is much to do in the next 12 days. I am packing, wrapping up duties at Trinity, looking for housing in Rapid, directing a musical, and trying to spend time with my friends and family. So much to do and the time is slipping away. I know that if "God brings you to it, He'll bring you through it," and I am counting on that.
I plan to use this blog to keep all of you friends and family in the loop as I continue on this jouney of life that God has lead before me. So check it out. Here's hoping I remember to update every now and again!

:)