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

Tucker Allen Spence

Tucker arrived at 8:35 am Tuesday morning the 30th of October. We are home now and great, I'll tell the story and put up pictures on Tucker's Crib! www.spencezoo02.blogspot.com