In other words, Happy Chinese New Year!(Although literally, it’s “Congratulations and prosperity to you!” One theory is that the first part of the greeting is connected with the idea of having survived the worst of the winter, while the second is the hope that things will soon pick up as the weather gets warmer. Apropos when you live in South Dakota!)
Greeting to all our dear family and friends!
Since so many of you sent such wonderful Christmas g
reetings, and since we wanted to assure you that we’re still here on planet earth, we decided to send out an update.We are grateful for the past year (“year of the rat” though it was). Andrew has been working hard, gnawing away at all kinds of things. In addition to his work at the church, he has been teaching classes at Augustana College: Theology and Philosophy in Dialogue, Critical Thinking and a little something called “Mad Science: the Lure and Fear of Biological Mastery.” Quite fun.
Both Dawn and Andrew were given the wonderful gift of several weeks of Sabbatical time this summer. This allowed us to do some much needed prayer and listening. We both have returned to begin our 10th (!) year of ministry at Prairie Hills with fresh energy and a renewed sense of our calling. God has blessed us and our church, but there is so much more we’re called to do! Dawn also completed her training as a spiritual director (someone who helps people listen to God).
Althea has had quite a year. She is three going on 25 or so. She now makes up (sometimes disturbingly plausible) stories, instructs her mother on driving technique and plans to lead worship team at church soon. She loves letters and words and displays a manual dexterity with things like scissors that her parents did not have until they were ten. (Perhaps that says more about us than her.) Anyway, she continues to be a tremendous conduit of blessing to some very thankful parents.
We also give thanks for all of you. Blessings to you in the “ox year” ahead!
