Korey's First Prom

Saturday Korey had her very first Prom! She has been dating Darian for a little over six months and they both looked very sharp! She sent phone pics to some of you after her hair was done and she and Darian have many more pics that we will try to post later. As you can see, she is growing up way too fast and giving Dad ulcers!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cub Scout Awards

Kristian and Casey worked all last month toward their God and Country Awards with Pastor Bob. This is a special award through the Cub Scouts and the cool thing is they have awards for all different types of religions. Theirs of course is Protestant, but it is neat that all religions are represented and can be obtained.

The boys also worked at our local Humane Society last week as a scout activity. That was hard as we wanted to take home every animal they had! Casey loved the puppies the most of course!

"V", the newest Avise-Rouse

Many of you know that Nicky, our Border Collie that was a part of our family for a little over 14 years, had to be put to sleep two weeks ago this Thursday. She had developed a tumor underneath her heart that was growing around her esophagus and windpipe, making it increasingly more difficult for her to eat and even breathe. Korey and I, as well as her boyfriend, Darian, and a family friend that took care of Nicky and Babie while we were away and couldn't take them with us, all went to say goodbye.

I wasn't going to get another dog until our summer vacation/running around/trips were done, but made the mistake of stopping at the Animal Rescue League Shelter where we got Babie just north of Marshalltown last week and fell in love with a Shepherd Mix. Here are two pics of "V", our newest family member. Too bad we aren't White Sox fans with those white feet!

He was very good over night for the first night in a strange place. I only had to correct him about where to use the bathroom(OUTSIDE!!!!!!!!!) 2 X. When I put him in the carrier for the night, he only whimpered once. This morning, I woke up, went to the bathroom, turned on the light, got partially dressed, and started talking to him before he made a sound! He seems very intelligent and it looks like he will be very easy to train.

Egg Dying 2008

Just had to put something on the site since it had been so long! We dyed eggs while Grandpa Jerry, Aunt Judy, Uncle Dennis and Denise were visiting the Friday before Easter. Both Kristian and Casey were very into tye dying their eggs this year. They turned out nice and we never ate them of course! Why do we dye eggs again???

New Washer

At least 6 years ago Dad found a washer and dryer sitting on a curb that said "FREE". He knew we'd be needing some soon since we were getting married and so we took them. They were stored at the Spence Farm for a few years while we lived in the apartment and then they got moved to Colorado with us. On Sunday, the washer finally quit working. Of course right in the middle of laundry. We had to run out and get a new one. We ended up at Lowe's and got the cheapest one they had. It's still a big step up from our old one!! Here's Doyle getting it in the tiny laundry room!

Adventure in moving recap...

Hi all,
We are pretty well moved in and I have begun my new ministry here in Columbia, IL.
I thought I would share with you all how it went down.
So, back in November we had the vote, signed the contract and scrambled to get everything packed and ready. We spent Thanksgiving afternoon and evening in the Northern Chicago suburbs visiting Kelly, Jill and the kids and being fed incredibly well by Stacy and Charlie (Jill's sister and brother)... Friday the 23rd: more packing; picking up the U-haul trailer (for things we needed to have with us and things the movers wouldn't take); oh and a wedding rehearsal. Saturday the 24th: more packing; a wedding and reception. Sunday the 25th: Sunday School, Worship, farewell lunch and open house til 3pm; more packing; begin loading vehicles and the trailer. Monday the 26th: the moving crew arrives at 8:30am, loads up and leaves by 12:30. We finished loading, cleaned the house a little, picked up the kids from school and drove south. Nicole, Casey and Murphy the Beagle in the van; Kristian and I in my Saturn Vue pulling a trailer as big as the Vue... Now, the Vue normally gets a little better than 22mpg, but on this trip I got 15. We got into Columbia about 10:30pm and settled into the parsonage which had not yet warmed up (we had space heaters provided by a search committee member) for the night. Tuesday we unloaded what we had brought with us and worked on things we could get done before our stuff arrived, and got rid of the trailer. Wednesday the 28th: the moving crew arrives at 8:30, moves our stuff in and is gone by 12:30 - Wow! Bekins is the best moving company we ever had. Since then we have been unpacking - and decorating for Christmas - and reconnecting with family and friends down here.

The whole thing was nuts, but we took very little damage to us or our stuff... I'm not sure this even qualifies as an adventure except for the way we pulled it together and pulled it off so quickly. We amazed each other, Nicole was awesome at getting stuff organized and packed and so on... so, here we are!

That's all for now,
Kristofer

Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving dinner. I even made a turkey for the first time, with Dad's help. We had mashed potatos and gravy, green beans, rolls and sparkling cider. After dinner Dad, Miah, Doyle and I played catch in the cul-de-sac while Korey held Tucker. Leia even got in on the game.

OHMYGOSH We are Moving in a WEEK!!!!!!!!!

Hi all,
After a VERY successful candidating weekend and a nearly unanimous vote we are OFFICIALLY moving to Columbia, Illinois one week from tomorrow - that would Monday, November 26th, 2007 (in case you are reading this in the future )!! Lots to pack, lots of details to wrap up and on top of everything else, I still have to do my old job until Sunday - including a Thanksgiving Eve Ecumenical service, a wedding, Sunday Service, a few last visits, and newsletter stuff. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! This is definitely going to be an ADVENTURE on a scale that only we Avise-Rousey types would ever dive into willingly and with eyes wide open. I believe that we have not only learned to define ourselves through our adventures, but that we come to know ourselves, each other, our world and even God through our adventuring in the metaphorical jungles, swamps, canyons and caverns of modern everyday living!!!

I think I'll get some sleep now (while I can).

Peace and goodnight,
Kristofer

Here we go!!!!

We are candidating in Columbia, Illinois THIS WEEKEND!!
Friday: "meet & greet" with the youth groups over pizza,
Saturday: same deal with the rest of the congregation over snacky stuff,
Sunday: I preach, they vote and the Search Committee takes us out to dinner - hopefully to celebrate.

We plan to move on Nov. 26th!!!!

I know I said before that I couldn't say where it was, but since the announcement has been made to the congregation, it is OK now.

WE ARE VERY EXCITED !!!!

Preaching from the Revised Common Lectionary is often a minor adventure... it is spooky how often the suggested text is just right for the situation. We (close colleagues and I) like to blame it on the Holy Spirit (though with the dumb choices the committee made about things to leave out, one has to seriously question how much they actually LISTENED to the Spirit!!). Sunday's Gospel lesson: Luke 21:5-19 includes the line, "This will give you an opportunity to testify." Which is an excellent text for a trial sermon.

Love to all,
Kristofer

Yay Tucker! and misc. ramblings...

Yay Tucker, Glad you are here!!
Not very nice scaring everybody and leaving Mommy with a sore scarred belly, but we don't blame you and we're really glad you are OK.

Yay Isabell! Nice tooth!!

Casey has lost his two front teeth (top ones) in three days. Yikes.

I really should put up a picture of my office at the church. It looks like a hurricane, or bomb, or well Kristofer hit it. I have packed about 1/3 of my books and papers (going to finish it after I finish blogging and eating lunch - yes, I AM multitasking!!) and EVERYTHING (of mine) is OFF the walls. Looks horrible (please read that as "HAAR-i-ble")!!

At development group yesterday morning we talked about my mixed emotions and the grieving/disengagement process for a UCC Pastor leaving a congregation. I seem to be doing most things the "right" way and am for the most part emotionally healthy - Yay me.

Oh well, back to work... I mean packing!!

Peace & Love to All,
Kristofer