What I learned tonight...

1. Rockband is a fun game.

2. Rockband has an accessory kit available that includes a fog machine.

3. If you use that fog machine in the church, it will set off the fire alarm.

4. The location of the key to open the fire alarm system.

5. The correct number to call when fire alarm system is triggered, but that 911 works too.

6. How to reset a fire alarm system.

7. How to air out a church building.

8. That firemen are very friendly.

9. That pastors are very forgiving.

10. That nights like these become legends in youth groups.

God is funny...

So, as you can tell by my previous post - I was a little stressed this morning. This afternoon I have calmed down considerably and then this song came on and I just started laughing because it is so true! Probably the best worship song I've heard in awhile and it's from Owl City!

Meteor Shower

stress over the unexpected

I usually focus on my relationships with the students when I talk about this job, but another side of this job is relating to the other members of the church. My primary focus there has been to develop relationships with parents because the more involved I am with the parents, the more involved the students seem to be. However, there is another group within the church that I, by nature of being a youth worker, bump into a lot - the elderly.

I have a great respect for the elderly. My church in MA was about 80% elderly and I absolutely loved it. The problem I run into is that they only come to me when they are frustrated with something connected to the youth. "Who moved that carpet ball game in the fellowship hall? It is so loud and distracting while I'm trying to drink my coffee!" "This hasn't happened with you, but sometimes the kids hide in the kitchen for their games - we would rather they didn't do that..."

They don't sound so bad, but it is this general sense that kids are disruptive and disrespectful and it is my job to just control them. I don't see it that way. Yes, the game can be disruptive, but the church is here for the kids as much as the adults and elderly. The difference - the kids are willing to share the space.

Today I just found out that I have to make some abrupt changes to a game night I have had planned for a few weeks because there is a funeral in the church the next morning. That's not a big deal - I understand that funerals are out of the blue and you have to make adjustments. What got to me was that the lady in charge of the service group didn't tell me when they were coming in and where they were going to be in the church. She didn't check the calendar. It's like the youth are an afterthought at best. It was good that I just happened to walk out of my office as she was talking to the secretary or I wouldn't have known that my praise team supper and game night were going to have to be reworked and relocated.

I think I have everything under control now - but it has been a stressful half an hour as I sent out text messages - posted announcements all in caps on Facebook and responded to disappointed students who were looking forward to inviting friends to play predator. I know that it is not the end of the world, but I wish that the youth would be seen as a valid group within this church. They have claims to the building just as the adults do. That just seems to get overlooked.

I just needed to vent a little. Thanks for reading!

The Countdown Continues...

The kids in Milbank are beginning to realize just how much I used to love and in all honesty still love the Muppets. Here is a clip from A Muppet Christmas Carol that tugs at the heartstrings. It was between this song and the song featuring Marley and Marley (the two old grumpy men muppets...) Enjoy!

Next on the Countdown...

Home Alone is my favorite Christmas movie. I know, I know. I should be saying something like It's a Wonderful Life or White Christmas or something, but that would be a lie. Every year we watch Home Alone and every year I laugh hysterically at all the pranks Harry and Marv endure trying to rob little Kevin's house. When this movie came out I was roughly the same age as Kevin, perhaps a little younger. I remember spending hours in my room making all sorts of traps to catch intruders (none of which worked...) All this to say - this movie definitely makes me think of being home at Christmas. Below is a little montage of some of Harry and Marv's suffering. Enjoy!

Countdown to Christmas

I'm having a hard time with Christmas this year. It just doesn't feel right for some reason. So, I have decided to share with you a few things that remind me of Christmas. Today is a video of Bing Crosby and David Bowie singing "O Drummer Boy" from 1977. I know this predates me, but Bing Crosby reminds me a lot of my Grandpa Henry. Enjoy!

Balloons and Pantyhose

What do balloons and pantyhose have to do with Christmas? Why - they turn middle schoolers into reindeer of course! These were too funny not to share. Merry Christmas!

Daily Wisdom Calendar

I have this "Daily Wisdom for a New Century" calendar on my desk. I inherited it with the office when I started my new job. Every day I am in the office I flip it to the correct date and read the pearl of wisdom (or in some cases the 'so-called' pearl of wisdom.) Today, however, it really hit home.

From Albert Schweitzer - a German/French theologian, missionary physician and Nobel Peace Prize recipient:

"I believe that I possess this value: to serve Jesus. I am less at peace than if my goal would be to attain a professorship and a good life, but I live. And that gives me the tremendous feeling of happiness, as if one would see a ray of light in a deep pit, as if one would hear music. One feels uprooted, because one asks, what lies ahead, what decisions should I make - but more alive, happier than those anchored in life. To drift with released anchor."

What really struck me is his example of "professorship" since that is the goal I have been striving toward until very recently. My situation here has caused me to pause and examine my goals. This quote has reminded me and convicted me that my goal is to serve Jesus. It is as simple and as difficult as that.

Locks of Love

So, tonight was Donation night for Middle School Youth Fellowship and as promised - I got my haircut. 14 inches of it were donated to Locks of Love. Here are a couple of pictures to show the change and a video of the actual event. The video is kind of long, but it also gives you a little glimpse into my life on Wednesday nights with middle school. Enjoy!

Long Hair - really really long hair.

14 inch ponytail in my hand. One of the kids said it looked like a horse's tail.

Appropriate.

Girls Fun Night

This Saturday night we had a Girls Fun Night - the counterpart to Boys Night Out. The girls did not disappoint - we had about 10 high school girls show up for a night of games, nachos and watching my Daren Streblow DVD.

This night, more than anything, was another in a long line of learning experiences for me. First of all, girls do not interact with each other like boys do. Second, girls do everything together. I forgot this. I have spent so much time on my own, that I forgot about the natural tendency girls have to do things together - as one large group. At Boys Night Out - there were only 3 boys and only 2 times during the course of the evening were they all doing the same activity at the same time - when we ate and when we watched the Tim Hawkins video. With the girls - only 2 points in the evening did they not do something all together - and they were very brief. I am not saying this is a bad thing - just wasn't expecting it.

I am thankful for the wonderful young women here in Milbank. In some ways it is a little more difficult for me to interact with the girls because it reminds me so much more of when I was in high school - I see myself in these girls. It is a good kind of challenge, though.

On Sunday morning, I brought muffins to Sunday School. I was a little tired, but nothing compared to the students who showed up. It was like talking about miracles to a bunch of zombies. I should have been running for the door fearing for my life...except these zombies didn't really move. They didn't really talk. They didn't really react to anything...except the muffins.

Sunday evening we had youth and it was good, but strange. I had a lot of kids that have never come before and a few that I know to be members of other churches. I had a pretty good feeling they were there to play the game we were going to play after the lesson. The dynamics were a lot different last night and without any other adult support - I was a little nervous as to how the night would go. I think it went well - don't know how much they cared about my awesome lesson on Advent - but we were creating memories.

I keep reminding myself that it is not my job to make them commit to being a Christian. My job is to keep pointing to Christ and trusting that God will use what I do for his glory - even my many many mistakes.

this brightened my day...

I was having a rough morning dealing with things way out of my comfort zone - but this video made it better. Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Top 10

Tonight I made my students write a Top Ten List of experiences they are thankful for.

Numbers 1-3 are experiences where they were really happy.

Numbers 4-6 were everyday moments.

Numbers 7-9 were challenging times.

Number 10 was whatever they chose.

Here is my list:

1. My last day at Immanuel Church. Seems strange to be on my really happy list - but I was so overcome by the love of that church that day.

2. Graduating from USF - I worked really hard during college and that day meant so much to me.

3. Waking up in Paris on my 21st birthday with my two best friends. Once in a lifetime opportunity.

4. Playing ring around the rosy with my youngest niece - Lizzy. She always falls down before you sing "all fall down" and it makes me laugh every time.

5. Baking my first pie this summer - I was so happy to be home and in a kitchen again.

6. Sleeping in and waking up without my alarm going off - I would do that everyday if I could.

7. My Grandpa Rowen's funeral - the moment where Steve, Terri and Bridgett walked in and I lost it. It gave me the strength and encouragement I needed to face that day.

8. The last time I saw my Grandma Rowen - I had to change my entire schedule that week and get an earlier flight from MA - and even when I got there I didn't know what to say.

9. Being in the hospital room when Grandpa Henry died - I was not prepared for that - but was surrounded by family.

10. My extra experience was the Milbank Homecoming football game. It was the first time someone invited me to sit with them - so I really enjoyed myself. Also - it was the beginning of Milbank's winning streak that led them to the dome - quite a memorable experience!

I hope that this thanksgiving - you are thanking God for the experiences in your life that have shaped who you are - the great, the difficult and all the little moments in between! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Milbank - Home of the 2009 11A Football Champions!

Yesterday was a good day.

I slept in - I had time to myself as I drove to Vermillion.

I talked with a friend.

I watched the Milbank football team win their first ever state title.

I hung out with another friend.

Watched a volleyball game somewhere in northeastern Sioux Falls.

Watched an awesomely awful romantic comedy with said friend.

Sent and recieved over 100 text messages. (My mother even saw me on tv texting...oops!)

What really stands out to me though - is the sense of community I encountered. I was in contact with friends all over the country yesterday - supporting me in what I was doing and where I was going. I was also surrounded by the Milbank community as we cheered on the football team.

I wish I had something more profound to say - but ultimately - I am just grateful that I have communities to be a part of. Whether they are defined by physical residence or common interest or shared history. We are meant to live in community - and yesterday I did.

let's start at the very beginning

A very good place to start.

This week we began to tackle some of the questions that were asked last week. When I thought about where to start - it dawned on me that we need to start with the most fundamental belief in any religion - the existence of God. If we cannot overcome our hesitations on this question - no other question really matters.

After discussing a few topics relating to God and completely confusing the students with a sidetrack into philosophy - I decided we should reflect on the times we were convinced of God's presence in our lives. We broke into pairs and talked about ways in which we are assured God acts in our lives. One leader talked of the time she fell asleep and drove through an intersection with her two kids in the car - unharmed. In that moment - she knew God existed and acted. Another student brought up the first time they encountered speaking in tongues and the reassurance that the Holy Spirit is very real and present - even if they don't have that specific gift. The fact it exists was enough to show him God's existence. Another talked about all the little things that have happened this year during the football season. All the little breaks they were able to take advantage of that has allowed them to head to the dome to play the championships this year.

The whole point was to show that God is active and speaking in our lives - even without the burning bushes. We just have to pay attention. The more we recognize God's involvement in our lives - the easier it is to trust Him. The more we see him being faithful - the easier it will be for us to believe it.

Sometimes it is difficult for us to see how God is active in our lives. Our tendency is to focus on the negative or difficult moments in our lives and ask why God wasn't there. What I suggested to the students and I would suggest to anyone who reads this blog is to ask those around you if they have noticed God working in your life. You might be surprised at their answers. I am sure if I asked you to tell me an instance of where you've seen God working in the life of someone you know - you wouldn't have to think very long before finding an example. Perhaps you should tell them - encourage them.

I also learned this week that people are very good at putting on the facade of a good Christian when they are really hurting inside. God wants an honest relationship with you - imperfections - issues - struggles - doubts - all of it. The more honest you can be - the more God can use you.

May you be as blessed in what God has called you to do as I have been by these students!

I've opened the can of worms...finally

Tonight's youth group was amazing. I don't know how it happened, but something changed. We started by playing a simple game of defending stupid convictions like which football team is better, etc. Then we sang a song. Then we began to talk about the hope of a Christian and before I knew it I was being flooded with questions.

"How do I know God exists?" "Why did Moses get a burning bush and I get nothing?"
"How I can trust that the Bible is true?" "How do I know that Jesus really existed?"

"What happens to people after they die, but before the return of Christ?"

"Why did God allow humans to sin?" "Why did he let Lucifer fall?"

"What about evolution?" "Why doesn't our church talk about speaking in tongues?"
"How did you get from asking all these questions to becoming our youth pastor?"

Once they started - their heads started to spin. I knew exactly what they were going through. One question brings up another question and another and none of them are easily answered. This was what I had been waiting for. This was the moment I had been working toward these last few months - this is why I am here for them.

Youth lasted an extra hour tonight and I didn't even get to half the stuff I planned. It was wonderful - God moved in a major way.

This is a learning experience...

The title is a phrase I am borrowing from Steve Foss. I have seen him the last two weekends and will see him this coming weekend as well. His presence in my life is one of the many blessings I have experienced since moving back to SD.

On Saturday we had Boys Night Out. A grand total of 3 high school boys showed up. I also had 3 adult males there - so that's a good ratio. The final group of three included me and the couple who owned the house. The size of the group did not limit the fun, however. It was a great night and I enjoyed spending time playing games and getting to know these young men. Hopefully the next time we have the event more will come. In time, though... in time.

At youth on Sunday, I got to play an electric guitar for the first time. The praise team consisted of me and the pastor's son who is an accomplished musician. He decided it would be better for him to play the drums - and I would play guitar and sing. That's sort of a lot of pressure, but I think it turned out well. I was having fun. Felt a bit like a rock star with the electric guitar. He put some effect on it for the song "It is you" by the Newsboys which made it sound really cool.

Other highlights - we did communion with grapes and wheat thins as a way to remember we are all in this Christian journey together. One student came up to me later wanting to know more music by Brandon Heath because I played "Give Me Your Eyes" during our offering time. The students are banding together to help a former youth pastor from this church who recently found out he has a form of cancer. I hope that if I needed help like that someday that they would feel inclined to do for me what they are doing for him.

I told someone today that the more I do this job - the more I find I must do. The more I learn, the more I realize I have yet to learn. I think if there was a lesson that characterized my life that would be it. No matter how much I know - it will only open doors for me to learn more. I came into this job knowing very little - so I have many doors to go through.

The Journey: Senior High Youth Rally

I had a not so subtle hint from a friend that I should post about my weekend at the High School Youth Rally - and to my own astonishment - I'm writing it already!

Every year the Dakotas Conference of the United Methodist Church holds two rallies for its youth - the Senior High Rally now called "The Journey" is in the fall. The Middle School Rally "The Crossing" is held in March. I would say spring, but this is the Dakotas - you just never know. For example, it is October, but when I awoke Saturday morning - there was some snow on the ground. Welcome home, Katie.

So, Friday I packed three girls and their stuff into my little car. I had one cancellation due to illness, so that allowed me to drive my car to Mitchell rather than the church van. I drove the church van around Milbank on Thursday and let's just say God had His hand in providing a way for me to NOT drive that van! Anyone who knows me knows I dislike driving large vehicles - so there you go.

We had to make a stop in Arlington so I could pick up my sleeping bag at my parents' house. Oops! But one of the girls decided to actually leave the vehicle and meet my parents and my dog. The other two girls opted to stay in the car and become mutes for the rest of the trip. They communicated mostly through a serious of smiles and smirks with the occasional rolling of the eyes. Although I attempted to crack the code - I've never been very committed to studying languages... especially languages of teenage girls with attitudes.

The actually youth rally went well. I recognized many of the youth workers from working at the camp. I had a lot of people look at me, cock their head to one side, scrunch up their face and say "I know you from somewhere, don't I?" Even so, I was by myself for most of the weekend. The kids had lecture times, small group times, arts village times, option times, eating times, etc. I did not have to attend the small group or option times, so I spent that time staring off into space, or bothering my old boss Steve. He was there to promote Lake Poinsett Camp, so I did my part to help. I also did volunteer to help lead the scripture drama section of the arts village - which was enjoyable as well. It is so easy for me to forget how much I loved and still love theater.

One other small story from this weekend. We stayed at Dakota Wesleyan University and slept in their gym. On Saturday night, the football team returned victorious and needed to put their equipment away. Well, just so happens that the girls from our event use their locker rooms for showering, etc. So, I stood out in the hallway partly directing girls to wait for their showers until the football players are gone and partly waiting myself since the adult women bathroom area was also a locker room. So, there I was standing in the hallway holding my pajamas and toothpaste, etc talking to another youth worker from ND. We were trading college experiences. She dated a jock - I read books. She dated a track star - I read books. She married another track star - I read books... and so on. Then I look up and see a familiar face - a guy who graduated from USF. We don't know each other well, but I remembered his name and before I knew it I called after him. It was very evident that he didn't know me. I introduced myself and after a momentary pause the lightbulb went on in his mind and he said, "Oh yeah! You were really smart, right?" I'm still not sure how one responds to that... awkward.

Today we returned in the early afternoon. I have spent the rest of the day firmly planted on my couch watching the beginning of Robin Hood Season 2. I highly recommend this show. It is British, well-written, a mixture of action and comedy and did I mention Richard Armitage is in it? Oh yeah. :)

Brandon Heath!

Brandon Heath in Fargo, ND

Last night I went to Fargo, ND to see the Feed the Hungry tour with Leeland and Brandon Heath! It was a great show. At one point I was actually 1 foot away from Brandon waiting to talk to him, but he was talking to another couple and I couldn't bring myself to interrupt. Oh well. I did get an awesome t-shirt and 3 kids for my youth groups to sponsor. Not only that, but I got to hang out with my cousin Amanda and her husband Tabb.

On the way home this morning I nearly ran out of gas in North Dakota. The gas light was on for nearly 20 miles before I found a gas station. I kept praying to God to make the gas last. I was stressing - who wants to be stranded on the interstate in ND? There's very little south Fargo before you hit the SD border (I know that now!)

It was a great trip and I wish I would have taken a picture with Amanda and Tabb! Gosh...what was I thinking?

SYATP

So much has been happening. Last week my life went into chaos mode and doesn't show signs of slowing - which I love. HS and MS youth fellowships have begun - youth praise band is going well (they improve each week).

Yesterday I went to Pipestone, MN (112 miles away) to visit my former seminary roommate, Jen. She was in MN visiting family and we took advantage of the fact we were so close to one another. It was so wonderful to see her and meet her family! I was told that I was the first of her seminary friends to meet her parents and her younger brother Micah. They are a truly great family and I can't wait for Jen's other seminary friends to meet them!

It was a quick trip, though, because I had to wake up early this morning for See You At The Pole! SYATP is a student lead prayer time around the school's flagpole. It is a nationwide event that happens the 4th Wednesday of September every year. Last year 20 kids met around the Milbank flagpole, this year we had 75! It does a heart good to see so many students get up early to come and pray. I am sure that the promise of free donuts was a small draw for some students though...

What I really enjoyed about this morning is that we had many of the pastors from Milbank's churches present. There were Lutherans, Methodists, Baptists, Assembly of God and others all present. What a showing of the unity of the body of Christ! I hope that the success of this event leads to more projects that we can do together.

I better not make this any longer. I have phone calls to make before heading back to the school to eat lunch with the students. Tomorrow I am going to Fargo, ND to see Brandon Heath in concert with my cousin. So excited for that!

Thank you all for being patient with me as I find time to share my experiences.

Snapshot of Today

9:00 Go to work: Been working on some powerpoints for this Sunday (Rally Sunday). Today I was adding music slides and doing some other editing. Also went through music book in office to create a list of music for the youth praise band to learn.

11:45 Minor crisis with the copier in the office. As I am trying to leave for lunch since I actually had plans today, they recruit my help. My advice - restart the machine. And it worked.

12:05 Meet up with Mike, the Lutheran youth pastor and head over to the high school. We get our visitors badges and proceed to hang up SYATP posters. Visited with two ladies who were recruiting for Snow Queen (shared my embarassing Snow Queen story). We made our way to the lunch room to eat with some high school students. Menu was corn dogs. We stayed in the lunch room and talked with students (but did not eat.)

1:14 Head to Subway with Mike for lunch. Way better than corndogs.

2:00 Return to work for an hour before leaving again because I don't feel well.

3:30 Watch a Netflix, laying on the couch, slowly feeling better.

7:00 Arrive at Milbank High School to listen to a speaker, Pam Stenzel, talk about sex education. She was actually very good. Favorite thing she said: Opposites may attract for personalities, but character always attracts character. You will date what you are.

9:30 Watching Federer on the US OPEN - Soderling does not even have a chance...

On another note - a friend told me today that I have a "wealth of patience and servant-heartedness" That is the nices compliment I've recieved in a very long time. So thank you.

Planning and Prayer

This week has been a lot of making contacts. Early in the week I made up and sent out a newsletter to every household with children in middle school and high school. Then I emailed every email address I could find in my office as well as add every student I could find on Facebook. Not to mention fielding new text messages from students who now have my number via my newsletter. It is sort of strange to put so much effort in putting myself out there just hoping people will respond to me without actually having met me or having only met me briefly.

One major accomplishment for the week was buying and assembling my bookshelf. I needed another bookshelf in the office because I just have a lot of books (didn't even bring them all to the office!) There is a scratch in one side, but other than that it turned out pretty well considering I did it all on my own.

The other major accomplishment was beginning to plan for my first joint event with another church - See You At the Pole. It is a nation-wide event where students gather around the flagpole at their school early in the morning to pray. They pray for their teachers, leaders, coaches up through state-wide, national and world leaders. It was something I did in high school and I'm excited to take part in it again.

Thursday night I went to a board of education meeting. Basically, I teach the high school Sunday School class and then later Sunday afternoon - they see me again for youth fellowship. That's a lot of Katie in one day, I think. Especially considering I have to come up with stuff to do - they don't have any sort of expectation or curriculum for me to use. It has been suggested to me that I write my own curriculum or to study a specific book - so perhaps I will come up with a few options and discuss them with the students on Rally Sunday.

On a slightly more interesting and fun note, my parents and my brother's children came to visit today! It was so great for them to be in my apartment - I think I got the seal of approval from the kids. Randi really liked my bathroom and my shoe racks...random I know. Randi and Jacob also liked sitting on my balcony and eating their strawberry fruit bars. Lizzie enjoyed the park across the street. Overall - a successful trip.

I have a lot to look forward to this coming week. My first home sporting events, friends coming to visit and Lifelight is next weekend - first youth activity for me. Pray for me. Please. :)

First Week

I cannot believe it is already Friday! This week went by very quickly. I have been to a couple of meetings which, more than anything else, remind me that I have a job now. I have been able to talk with a variety of people about the youth group and get some very helpful input. As a new person to the church and town, I am relying on the grace of others to point me in the right direction as far as who to contact, etc.

I have been fortunate enough to make a friend of my neighbor in the apartment building. She is a teacher at the high school, but only lives in Milbank during the week. She spends her weekends in Doland with her husband, so her apartment is her second home. She is very good about stopping by and asking how my day was. Yesterday we went for a walk between rain showers. I am very grateful for that company right now.

I also finally met my landlord yesterday, the infamous Dewey. In the whole process of looking for and renting and moving into this apartment, I had not met him. He finally got some rent out of me and he fixed the tub in the bathroom - I would say that is a "win, win, win" situation. :)

My Dad was also in town yesterday and brought with him some fresh garden produce. It was so nice to sit in my livingroom chatting with my dad about my new job. He was also able to see my office and sit on the couch in there as well. I think my office couch is more comfortable than my apt. couch - but perhaps that is just me :)

Tomorrow I am off and off to Watertown to do a little shopping. After a week of work, there are certain things I realized I need - such as a day planner, a ready supply of candy, etc.

I feel a little overwhelmed, but to borrow a phrase from Steve Foss, this is all a "learning experience" and I am grateful for it.

Discover your values

Thought this was interesting...

There are 16 main values a person can have:

freedom, fun, faith, positive attitude, leadership, knowledge, integrity, respect, accomplishment, family, money, friendship, service, empathy, influence, and love

Which one value would you give up to keep the other 15?

Which 5 values would you give up to keep the other 10?

What 4 values would you give up to keep the other 6?

What 3 of the 6 remaining values would you give up to keep the other 3?

Which 1 of the 3 remaining values would you give up to keep the final 2?

Your core values are:

_______________________________________________

From the desk of...

I have a desk. I have an office. I have a job and later today I will have a couch and loveseat.

This summer I spent so much time sitting around and waiting and now I am here and I wish I had more time to figure out what I am doing. That's how things go, though... at least for me. I was introduced to the church on Sunday in both services. My mom is awesome and stayed with me Saturday night and went to church with me on Sunday. What a trooper!

I am looking forward to the many challenges and opportunities this job will provide. I ask that if you follow this blog that you will pray for me. Pray for wisdom, insight, energy and infinite patience. Pray also for the youth that they may grow this year. Perhaps don't pray to give them energy, however :)

I will try to update this blog once a week about the events in my life as it will now become exponentially more interesting than it was this summer.

I GOT THE JOB!

I got the job. Praise the Lord.

Everything in His time.

My Mission: Do Something

I've spent most of this summer doing very little. My excuse: waiting. Recently I have decided to keep myself busy while I wait and therefore have had some great experiences. Let me show you.

First - I've been baking again.

This is raisin pie. We saw someone make it on the Martha Stewart Show, so Mom and I thought we would try it. It's the first pie that I've made with a top crust, but I'm not sure I should claim it since Mom actually made the crust. Pretty good pie, though.

This was my first attempt at making a two-layer cake. It's devil's food chocolate with white frosting in the middle and a chocolate frosting with chocolate chips on the outside. Very yummy. Not pictured is the birthday cake that my mom and I made for my Grandma Henry. Also very good.

Speaking of my Grandma Henry's birthday, which is on the 4th of July, here are some pictures from that day. This one is my sister-in-law Machelle with a large griddle behind her head.

This is my brother Dan. He taught me how to ride a four-wheeler that day. Now I have an open invitation to ride his four-wheeler whenever I would like. So far I have only taken him upon it once, when Emily and I hung out together.

This is my mom and my little niece Lizzy. I love this picture. Lizzy actually loves getting her picture taken. Any time she sees a camera she'll pick it up and say "Cheese!" but she won't smile. Goofball.

This photo was taken on a hay ride prior to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant in DeSmet, SD. The lady with me is my aunt Karen.
This is the whole gang who went to the pageant based on the novel "A Long Winter" by Laura Ingalls Wilder who lived in DeSmet with her family. With me is my cousin Stacy, my aunt Karen and Stacy's daughter Jaiden. Stacy currently lives in Texas, so the cool night air was a little too much for her and her daughter.
I'll end on this super adorable shot of my dog Chester. How can you not love a face like that? :)

I have plans to go to Kansas City this weekend to visit my seminary friend Anna. Hopefully I will take some pictures and have some fun stories to relate. Until then...

Working on Patience

I had planned to write on this blog again when I had some good news. Well, it seems that good news is slow in coming, so I will write with what I know now.

I have interviewed twice for a youth ministry position. My last interview was a week and a half ago and today I received a phone call that was positive, but informed me that a decision was another week or two away. It probably wouldn't be so trying for me except that the last time I had to wait an extra week or two resulted in me not getting the job.

Pastor Sarah and I were discussing my impending job situation before I left MA. In that discussion, we realized that God has always provided jobs for me with relative ease on my part. I have never experienced the anxiety of waiting quite like I have the last two months and it's difficult.

I really would love this job. Working for the church sure trumps an office job for a girl like me. While I love organization, I love God more. While predictable hours and coworkers have their appeal, so does playing games and music and digging into the Word as my job.

Please pray for me. I need it.

Pray for:
- Patience so I don't lose heart
- Understanding so I don't lose patience
- Love for the church in Milbank no matter the outcome

Hopefully the next time I post I'll have more to say.

Pine Ridge Trip

I'm going to cheat a little and copy an email I wrote to a friend about last weekend. Nealy and I went out to Pine Ridge to visit our friend Emily who has been living there for the past two years as a volunteer at Red Cloud High School. It was a fun weekend, but it definitely gave me a lot to think and pray about.

So I left on Friday in a panic because I couldn't find my debit card. My mom and I tore the house apart looking for it, then went down to my grandma's in case I dropped it in her car, then to the bank in order to get cash. Turned out that it was stuck in the dryer - oops! Then I drove 1.5 hours to Sioux Falls to meet up with my friend Nealy. I hope that if you take trips with your friends that you have a friend like Nealy - she's so prepared. She brought all kinds of snack food including an entire cantaloupe that we finished off on the way there.

It takes about 5.5 hours from Sioux Falls to get to Pine Ridge. We drove along the end of the Badlands for part of it. I'm not sure if you have heard of the Badlands, but they are really cool.

Saturday we hung out and had pumpkin cookies and then went to a powwow. I've never been to one of those before - didn't really know what to expect. Basically it is a dancing competition. There are 3 different types of dancing for men and women. Men can do traditional, fancy, or grass dancing. Women can do traditional, fancy shawl or jingle. My favorite is the men's traditional because that is what I think of when I think of native dancing, but I also really like the grass and jingle dancers. The least exciting is the women's traditional because they stand in one place and bend their knees to the beat. Perhaps they will rotate a bit, but that's about it.

Sunday we went to church then went to this place called "Bette's Kitchen" which is a restaurant that is run out of Bette's house. Bette lives in a double wide trailer house in a town called Manderson. What is really cool about this place is that you can eat outside and look over some amazing scenery. Western South Dakota is so different than where I am from - much more interesting.

The whole experience was eye-opening for me. It was like being in another country in my own state. I saw some very historical sites including where the Massacre of Wounded Knee happened. I encourage you to look up that story - it's heart breaking in so many ways. How we have treated the natives is horrendous and has certainly taken its toll on these people. It is a place of poverty and violence and is only beginning to reclaim its proud heritage.

Sad News

Just wanted to let all of you know that I heard from the South Dakota Humanities Council about their program director position. I didn't get the job. I'm okay with it. It's hard to be rejected, but in the end I am confident that God will provide. Thank you for praying for that job and I ask you to keep me in your prayers as I continue to look for a job. Right now I am applying for a youth pastor job in Milbank, SD.

This weekend I am heading to Pine Ridge with Nealy to visit our dear friend Emily. So excited for this little road trip! I'll update again once we return.

Until then....

What fills my time...

Here is a list of things I have done or watched recently:

- Going for walks in the country.  Well, that is until the weather decided June should resemble late March...

- Watching North and South which never gets old.   

- Finishing an application for a job as a youth minister.

- Going camping at Lake Oakwood in the rain and cold

- Watching Roger Federer win the French Open!!!

- Laughing at http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com

- Watching clips from Late Night with Jimmy Fallon 

- Attaining Professional status in Wii Bowling

- Going out to eat and playing Wii with my friend Jill and her daughter Cayli

- Talking to various friends about their "youth ministry philosophies"

- Waiting to hear about a job - now I won't find out until June 16th.  Ugh.

I hope this post finds you in the middle of doing something fascinating.

Welcome to Arlington

Grandma Henry's house at the edge of town.

One of the three grain elevators in our town.  This one is the biggest.

More grain storage.  Down the street from my house.

I used to live here until I was 5.  Hard to recognize the house with all the "stuff" hindering your view.

This is not technically in Arlington.  I have a lot of field pictures from outside of Arlington as well as our trip to Flandreau and the surrounding country.  This might located near Trent, SD.

Mainstreet on a Saturday afternoon.

Every town has a watertower with its name on it.  Our tower has the school mascot - the cardinal.

The city park.  In the distance is the swimming pool, tennis court, and sand volleyball pit.

This is a section of town that is being developed.  The mass of trees in the distance is the cemetary.  In South Dakota, if you see a group of trees - they are serving a purpose.

This is probably my favorite picture of the day.  The parking lot for the Lutheran Church.

This is the shed where we keep the bikes.  Mine is currently at the camp so we've restored my mom's bike and I've been using that.  I actually like it a lot better than my own bike.

My dad sells and services fire extinguishers.  We have a few.

Last picture of the day - our house from the back.  

For those of you never fortunate enough to visit Arlington, I hope this gives you a little glimpse into prairie life.

For those of you who have been fortunate to either visit or live in Arlington, I hope this allows you to see your town in a new light.  

the map in my mind

Today is Natalie's birthday.  Happy Birthday!

Today Jen left for Uruguay.  Safe travels my friend!

Today Machelle learned the due date for her baby - her birthday.  Congrats!

It has been a pretty quiet day for me, despite the previous list. 

Sometimes I imagine a map of the United States in my mind.  It would be something akin to the map on the movie Men in Black.  Don't mock me for my movie references, please.  :)  On my map there are pins that mark all of the people I know or have known.  I imagine what they are doing right now as I sit in my room in South Dakota.  Sometimes the map is larger - to include all of my international friends.  Lately, it has included Africa when I think and pray for Jana.  It includes Germany when I think and pray for Fabian and Anke.  

If you are reading this, more than likely you have a pin in my map.  I am thinking of you and praying for you.  I have a lot of time to do that as I wait to hear about a job.

__________________________________________________

Yesterday was Memorial Day.  I was going to write and post a beautiful picture of our Avenue of Flags.  However, it was very windy and they took down the flags 3 hours before they said they were going to, so I wasn't able to get a picture.  Without the picture, the post didn't happen.  That isn't to say I didn't celebrate.  I have always loved Memorial day and now that both of my grandpas have passed away - it is even more important for me to celebrate and remember.

oh what a beautiful day!

Today we had people over to our house for lunch in honor of my seminary graduation.  It was a very informal thing, but I was really glad my parents suggested doing it.  There were little kids running around, I saw friends and cousins and aunts and one uncle :)  that I haven't seen since Christmas - which was great.

I also dug out my mom's bicycle from the back corner of an old shed we have.  My bike is currently at the camp and will stay there until I get serious about getting it.  Until then I will ride my mom's awesome bike.  This bike has been through a lot.  When I was a little girl, we were on our way camping and were pulling a camper and our boat.  All of our bikes were in the boat and something happened that caused the boat to tip over while going down the highway (I don't remember what caused it).  Anyway, my mom's bike took the worst beating (the seat is held together with electrical tape.)  Other than that, it is in great condition and I'm excited to ride it around.

For those of you who were admiring my pies - they went over well.  The strawberry pie was gone right away and I got raves on the strawberry rhubarb pie as well.  The rhubarb custard was pretty good, too.  It was sure fun to make them and would be glad to have an excuse to make a pie again!

Finally, I think I fixed the issues with leaving comments on this blog.  If you have tried and didn't succeed - try and try again.  If it still doesn't work - email me at kjrowen@gmail.com

Until next time...

I dreamed of days like this...

I used to sit in my room at seminary and ponder all of the things I could do once I returned to South Dakota.  Today was a day filled with those small wonders and I actually documented most of it with a camera (not typical for me!)  Enjoy some snapshots into my life...literally.

Mom bought a motorcycle in the fall.  Today was the first time she rode it.  For all of you who find it difficult to imagine my mother on a motorcycle - this is for you.

This is Elizabeth (Lizzy).  It should be illegal to be this cute.

As my mother says, it's nearly impossible to take a bad photo of Randi.

I baked three pies today.  Starting at the top and moving clockwise:

1.  Strawberry Pie

2.  Strawberry-Rhubarb Crumble Pie (this was the inaugural pie in my "pi" plate)

3.  Rhubarb Custard Pie (Randi asked me if that was celery pie.  haha.)

Waiting and Hopefully Not Wasting

Welcome to my new blog.  Since I am no longer a seminarian - I didn't feel it was appropriate to write on my seminary adventure blog.  One could argue that life after seminary is part of the adventure that is seminary - but when I enter a new phase of my life - I start a new blog.  

A little snapshot into my day:

Today I helped my mother who was filling in at my sister-in-law's daycare for part of the day.  Lunchtime over there is chaotic with six children - two of them infants.  I was feeding babies, cutting pizza into smaller and smaller pieces, laying kids down for naps, picking kids up because they were crying, on and on and on.  Let's just say I have a whole new level of respect for Machelle.  

My niece Lizzie sat on my lap, though.  We sat and watched tv.  I take joy in these little moments as I wait to see where life takes me next.