Happy Thanksgiving
It’s hard to believe that we have already been back in America for four months! Sometimes it feels like a dream that we had the opportunity to live in Germany for a year, and it’s been bittersweet looking at the photos from the past year as they pop up on our phones. We are very grateful for all the adventures we had and memories we made, but sometimes we miss our casual walks to the Oberursel Altstadt and eating at our favorite café.
At the same time, we are happy to be back in the U.S. and reunited with our family, friends, and our two dogs. Having our cars back is also a nice luxury—no more carrying groceries on foot, uphill, in the rain! But life in Fort Wayne has definitely been busy. During the Fall Quarter at Concordia Theological Seminary, Eric had a full schedule: Homiletics II, Confessions II, Confessing Christ in Today’s World, Dogmatics II, Pastoral Theology I. He learned about preaching different categories of biblical texts, the Smalcald Articles, The Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope, Luther’s Catechisms, the Lutheran understanding of missions, Christology, and the Lutheran theology and practice of the pastoral office. Returning to Zion Lutheran Church where Eric is assigned for field work has also been a joy for the whole family, and it has been great reconnecting with the congregation!
Eric isn’t the only one who has been busy. Curtis started kindergarten homeschool this year, and both Curtis and Samuel are playing basketball (on the same team) and learning the fundamentals of gymnastics. Susan has reintegrated with the Indiana La Leche League, while also continuing to assist mothers in Germany. And it’s crazy to think about, but Wilhelm will turn five months old in November!
The Winter Quarter at CTSFW begins on December 2nd, and Eric is looking forward to his next slate of classes: Church History II, Pentateuch I, Confessions III, Pastoral Counseling, and Theologia I (Baptism). And in addition to all the excitement in the Winter Quarter (Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, and the CTSFW Symposia), we will also have our pre-vicarage interview to help determine where we will be placed for vicarage next year!
In other exciting news, after more than nine years in the Marine Corps, Eric transferred in August to the Army Reserve in the Chaplain Candidate Program! It was a difficult decision, but Eric feels that this is the best way to continue his military service and serve other service members that also aligns with his pastoral formation. As he completes his studies at CTSFW, Eric will remain a Chaplain Candidate and can then apply to become an Army Chaplain in the Reserves after he spends some time in a parish as a pastor.
We pray that you all have been well these past few months, and we especially pray that during this seasons of thanks, we can all give thanks and praise to God for giving us His Son Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for our sins that we may have forgiveness and everlasting life. And now we enter into the season of Advent, where we reflect on when Christ came in the flesh, His current coming to us in the Word and Sacrament, and His future coming in glory.
Soli Deo gloria!
Add comment
Comments