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
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