Don’t worry, this will not be terrible detailed, and comes as a response to all those who have their acts together and sent out a Christmas card. To all those who sent Andrea and me their lovely cards, thank you!
2008 was quite the year for the two of us, full again with several transitions and notable events, some of which I would like to share with you today.
Andrea and I began 2008 in northwest Indiana where Andrea successfully completed her Lutheran internship with Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church. It is safe to say that everyone involved – Andrea, her supervisor, the congregation, and I – learned quite a bit. This was my first taste of what it means to be a pastor’s spouse. No, I didn’t play the organ, teach Sunday school, or stand at the front doors of the church. I did get to enjoy scrumptious potlucks, play at social gatherings, and support the craziness that is “parish ministry.” At the end of August, Andrea completed her year at Holy Shepherd with an emotion-filled day of food, stories, smiles, and tears. Thank you, Holy Shepherd!
In January I took (and passed!) four of my written Ordination Exams for the PC(USA). Unfortunately, I took five! So, one more to go in February…the preparations continue from Mexico…
During my last semester of seminary at McCormick I completed my fourth unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. As a part time chaplain intern, I fulfilled part of my competencies to be a licensed hospital chaplain, should that be an option down the road. The internship kept me on my toes: seeking a balance between it, seminary work, ordination preparations and, of course, being a pastor’s spouse.
In April I made my annual pilgrimage to Tucson to meet face to face with my Presbytery. I am very happy to say that – after three years – I am now a candidate in the process to be ordined as a minister of Word and Sacrament in the PC(USA).
In May I graduated (some would say “FINALLY!”, myself included) from McCormick. Rev. Otis Moss III preached at the convocation, a message that had Presbyterians, Lutherans, Baptists, and everyone else shouting, “Amen!” It was certainly a memorable day. It was made that much more memorable as my family was able to make it despite health concerns and long distances. The day was quite the moment for the Jones family, now having three generations of seminary graduates.
The summer after graduation, I worked at a small factory that made Big Trucks, literally. I came on to the factory as an “unskilled laborer,” hoping not to loose a finger. While I learned a lot about cleaning, cutting, welding, and grinding large pieces of steel into intricate machine parts, I learned much more about and from the people struggling to hold up the manufacturing industry in northwest Indiana. The community is shrinking but still working as hard as it was during the boom years.
Andrea and I said our goodbyes to northwest Indiana and Chicago at the end of August, unemployed and wondering what would be next. We put most of our earthly belongings in a 10’ x 15’ storage unit in St. Paul, MN and packed up our car with camping gear. We headed west on a three-week roadtrip, followed by three weeks in Tucson. And what a trip it was!
National Parks, family, and friends were the goal of our roadtrip. Through God’s grace and a little bit of luck, we made it. Our stops included the Badlands National Park (NP) & Black Hills; Wind Cave NP (one of my favorites); Mt. Rushmore and Crazyhorse Monuments; Yellowstone NP; Glacier NP; two wonderful nights with Ryan, Sarah, and their son AJ in Washington State that included a trip to the fair; a quick drive by Mt. Rainier; a largely forgettable night near Mt. St. Helen; Redwood NP; a couple days with our friend Heather on the beach in Santa Barbara; a pass over the Golden Gate Bridge; a night with Andrea’s friend Heidi in Oakland; two nights with my sister Rachel and her fiance Adrian in L.A.; a night in Las Vegas; and three nights on the north rim of the Grand Canyon. We arrived in Tucson road-weary and smelling like roses for a week long visit with my parents.
The time in Tucson was important and restful as always. While we were there, Andrea and I received the invitation to serve through the ELCA in Mexico. In our excitement, we caught up with friends and family wondering about what lay ahead. St. Mark’s, my home congregation, commissioned us to our service with the ELCA (see blog entries above).
As we headed back to MN to prepare for Mexico, we stopped in Kansas City to visit my college friend and kindred spirit Ryan, his wife Erica, and their two sons.
The visits to the national parks reminded me – again – just how short of a time we have on this earth, and that our lives must consider those who are to come. We have a priceless responsibility to our grandchildren’s grandchildren. Visits to friends and family reminded me of where I personally come from, and those who have been a part of who I am…for better or for worse.
In Minnesota we prepared four our trip to Mexico City and Cuernavaca. This is about the time at which the blog went up, pictures and stories included. Please see previous posts for more...
2008 was quite the year for Andrea and me. We are grateful for the experiences, encounters, and growth that have happened throughout. We give thanks for our families, whose love continues to grow for us as ours does for them. To our friends, who we’ve spoken with recently and not so recently: you are in our thoughts and prayers, and we give God thanks for your spirit.
Here’s to a great 2009 that has already started with a shot into the national arm with the inauguration of President Obama. My these good vibes and his leadership continue throughout his term. May your – our – 2009 be full of peace, hope, and love.
In Peace,
Luke
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