My wife Dee was recently selected as one of the 100 Great Nurses in Iowa for 2011. She was honored for her excellent work in the area of Infection Control at the Spencer hospital and will be invited to a special event in Des Moines May 1st. I am, of course, extremely proud of her. She has quietly gone about her business for nearly 14 years, providing compassionate and innovative care to patients and offering creative and wise leadership in many areas at the hospital.
Most people at First Lutheran know Dee as "Pastor Bob's wife" and see her as a great compliment to the work I am called and paid to do. I don't think the congregation ever knew what kind of 2 for 1 deal they were getting. Dee so willingly shares in my ministry and the work of our congregation. But how many people really know what Dee does for a living, working 13 miles away in another community, sometimes removed from the issues and affairs of the Milford/Iowa Great Lakes area?
Her work as a nurse affords her an opportunity to express her own unique calling and vocation. The people she encounters on a daily basis provide her many opportunities to share God's gifts. She ministers hope and healing in ways I could never do sitting behind a desk or hiding behind a "clergy collar." She is out in the trenches, slugging it out with some of the nastiest infections and diseases know to humankind. She is the resident expert on all the really "bad stuff," that left unchecked, could really make life miserable for a lot of people.
As one who finds himself in the public eye/limelight often (it goes with the territory), Dee is one who faithfully works behind the scenes, doing great things and making a difference in a quiet and unassuming way. I am so very happy for her and appreciate her many gifts now more than ever before. I knew when I married this farm girl from West Central Minnesota, I had truly hit the Jackpot! God blessed me with a life mate who has compassion, wisdom and real backbone.
Congratulations Dear...Behind ever good pastor is a really GREAT nurse!
Your admiring husband,
Bob
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Turning 52
I celebrated my 52nd birthday on Sunday, February 27th with the great folks at First Lutheran. Dee even made my favorite Red Velvet Cake and shared it with the members during coffee fellowship. It's always fun to have my birthday fall on a Sunday. The only bummer of the day came when Amy Kueper asked the children during the Kids Sermon how old they thought I was. When the first child said 70, I was ready to pull the plug on the sermon and send the little "imps" back to their pews. Thankfully, a little boy name William came to my rescue by telling everyone I was 17. He is now my BEST FRIEND!
I also had a blast bowling in the afternoon with families from both Grace Lutheran and First Lutheran. What a great event! I bowled a 155 and 161. I even got a door prize for the most strikes. Not bad for an "old guy" who hadn't thrown a bowling ball for ten years.
There was great fellowship between the two churches and we hope to do more activities together in the future. I am convinced that congregations need to partner more and shift their paradigms from competition to cooperation. It's pretty special when churches can celebrate together and provide a common witness to the community.
After that, Dee and I met up with our son Erik on my day off and we skied at Mt. Kato in Mankato, Minnesota. It was there that I really felt my age. Erik flew down the black diamonds like he was sleep walking. It was impressive! I knew right then I had entered a new chapter of life - a chapter where Dad is suddenly being schooled by his children. It was humbling, but I'm now over it.
Ok, where are all these "thoughts while shaving" heading? As I reflect on my 52nd birthday, I'm reminded that time is on a relentless march. There is no stopping it. But I have to admit, it's sort of cool watching my own children surpass old Dad on a number of fronts, athletically as well as academically. I am so very proud of them for who they are and what they are doing in the world.
52 may not be one of those Big Birthdays divisible by 5 or 10, but it has left it's mark on me. Getting older isn't so bad. The old "machine" is still in pretty good working condition, and there is still plenty of time to embark on a few more adventures. God is good! Life is rich! Be thankful for the simple gifts!
I also had a blast bowling in the afternoon with families from both Grace Lutheran and First Lutheran. What a great event! I bowled a 155 and 161. I even got a door prize for the most strikes. Not bad for an "old guy" who hadn't thrown a bowling ball for ten years.
There was great fellowship between the two churches and we hope to do more activities together in the future. I am convinced that congregations need to partner more and shift their paradigms from competition to cooperation. It's pretty special when churches can celebrate together and provide a common witness to the community.
After that, Dee and I met up with our son Erik on my day off and we skied at Mt. Kato in Mankato, Minnesota. It was there that I really felt my age. Erik flew down the black diamonds like he was sleep walking. It was impressive! I knew right then I had entered a new chapter of life - a chapter where Dad is suddenly being schooled by his children. It was humbling, but I'm now over it.
Ok, where are all these "thoughts while shaving" heading? As I reflect on my 52nd birthday, I'm reminded that time is on a relentless march. There is no stopping it. But I have to admit, it's sort of cool watching my own children surpass old Dad on a number of fronts, athletically as well as academically. I am so very proud of them for who they are and what they are doing in the world.
52 may not be one of those Big Birthdays divisible by 5 or 10, but it has left it's mark on me. Getting older isn't so bad. The old "machine" is still in pretty good working condition, and there is still plenty of time to embark on a few more adventures. God is good! Life is rich! Be thankful for the simple gifts!
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