Celebrating Changes!

This year offered challenges, changes, and celebrations in many forms, each an opportunity for growth and reflection.

CELEBRATION: To begin 2018, Judy continued the role of road warrior. She spent time in California, with her mom Theo, fending off the winter blahs, communing with the ocean. She sojourned to Niagara Falls, NY, serving on a college accreditation committee. A trip to Colorado with Andrea was cancelled due to her sister’s illness, but a trip to Houston to visit a former coworker was not.

One of our goals for Judy’s sabbatical year was to return to Europe. We coordinated schedules and booked our flights for two weeks in May, excited to visit the “cousins” on Judy’s side of the family. Anna and Elise had earlier been unable to commit to going with us, but when it came right down to it, they made room in their schedules so we could travel together—perhaps the last such opportunity for just the four of us. We had a marvelous time and explored new family dynamics.

We split our time between Western Germany, where the relatives are, and Dingle, Ireland, which both girls had previously visited and HIGHLY recommended. The German families welcomed us with open arms and warm hospitality. We hiked and toured and visited and ate to our hearts’ content, and didn’t really want to leave. When we did, we were blessed by the sights and sounds of Ireland. We enjoyed current-day music and dancing—and made some of our own—as well as ancient ruins and timeless scenery. We had great weather—but were surprised at how many sheep photos we brought home!

CHANGE: The result of years of planning, Elise finally relocated to Chicago, after spending the summer in living with us at home in Bloomington. She landed a position with The Second City comedy club as a music director, and has a charming walkup apartment. By all accounts she LOVES Chicago, and the work, and the collaborative environment, AND especially the food. Apparently Chicago cuisine is renowned. On our visits, we have seen no evidence to the contrary. It is VERY nice to visit after only a 7-hour drive (as compared to over 15 hours to drive to Texas). Matt moved to Colorado to live with his mom temporarily, intending also to migrate to the windy city.

CHANGE: Anna is done with school! She finished her Master’s degree in school counseling and began in earnest the effort to find a career position. It took her a while (with several promising but ultimately disappointing opportunities) to find two part-time positions. She is absolutely loving her role in impacting kids’ lives, the educational environment, and in mentoring teachers and parents. Alex continues his second year of teaching English at Eden Prairie High School. They (with their 2 kitties) moved to an apartment in Richfield, two blocks from Judy’s childhood home (and a brief 5-minute drive from us).

CHALLENGE: The fall brought bouts of pneumonia to both Rick and Judy, which required a surprisingly long recovery period.

We pray you have a Merry Christmas and that you will also have a blessed New Year!

Other Highlights

Judy is teaching nursing at Normandale Community College, having completed her sabbatical year (a challenging transition!). She plays in the church worship band, volunteers caring for raptors at Richardson Nature Center, and works periodically in a women’s clinic. She continued lessons at the Women’s Drum Center, and participated in public performances, a recital, and the parade at the Minnesota State Fair.

Rick still ministers at FaithSearch International as Director of Communications (2 days per week due to ministry finances); and works part time at the Apple Store as a technical specialist. The FaithSearch offices moved from Minnetonka to Edina this fall, so his commute has shrunk to about 5 minutes (unless he misses a light)!

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