Preach It!

Dan is officially a minister in the Presbyterian Church of America (PCA)!!!!

 Y'all, if you know anything about the PCA, you know that this is no small thing! Not only did he complete four years of seminary, he's completed internships, served in missions, done youth ministry, he's written exams, met with committees (where he was drilled), then stood in front of pastors from Alaska, Washington, Oregon and Idaho where he was drilled, yet again. It's been a long road but one filled with so many challenges and lessons which have prepared him for this job. 

I have the highest respect for our denomination and the care they give to their congregations. Becoming a pastor in the PCA is tough. I know without a doubt that these men have been through the ringer, but they do it because they have been called by God to care for His people.

{vowing to submit to those above him and to care and serve those below him}

{being prayed for by amazing examples of leadership in the church}

{announced as a minister!}

{his first benediction!}

I am so proud of my husband, not because he accomplished all of these things and was successful in this work, but because he has always humbly followed the Lord, no matter the cost. I am honored to be led by him both in our home and in church!

Graduation Weekend - Recap

It began just hours after returning from our Tennessee hills vacation. Dan's mom arrived and activities ensued. Between the baccalaureate service and the actual graduation ceremony, the boys were up super super late all weekend. We had many moments where kids took care of themselves because their parents where too busy, ha!

The boys got dressed up and we had an awesome time watching daddy walk across the stage.

The rest of the weekend was spent enjoying the sunny weather and all the free things St. Louis offers their visitors.

Art Hill at the St. Louis Art Museum

 "Mom, so that's a real live dead person who's really here in this world? That's so gross. AND AWESOME!" - Elijah about the mummies

Dinner at Dan's restaurant - Brasserie

Elijah hogged all the muscles. That kid...

Playing with grampy and uncle Jeff at the fountains.

It was fun to share our city with Dan's side of the family. They rarely get out here so we had plenty to do! We've had a few quiet days here as a family of four, but Elijah's big birthday weekend starts on Friday. Here we go!!

Top 10 - Why I'm Proud

There are so many reasons why I am absolutely proud of my husband, Dan. I know you'd like to read about alllllll 1,968 of them (yawn), but I'm going to narrow it down to just 10.

10. He was supportive. When I started two businesses in the middle of his seminary career, he was not only on board, he was excited for me!

9. HOW he supported me: helped me with my Etsy shop markets and skipped classes and work to watch the kids while I was attending births. At one point, he even spent 2 days with our new foster girls all by himself-an intense job I can assure you!

8. Worked many difficult jobs to support our family.  By the end of our first year in seminary, he had worked 3 jobs! He's tutored, washed windows, and waited tables at various restaurants. Although it's been hard, he's never complained, but often praised God for providing work and income for our family.

7. He kicked BUTT in all his classes! This man will not brag, but I'll do that for him. Dan is an excellent student, often at the top of his class and graduated magna cum laude.

6. He got a free ride! Due to his excellent grades and hard work, Dan was nominated and chosen for a full scholarship given to students in their last year. He was 1 of 12 students to receive this gift.

6. He has grown as a father. We showed up to seminary with a 15 month old Elijah. Lazarus was born during a 4 day break between a summer Hebrew exam and the first day of his second semester. In our last year, he fathered a total of 4 children who were not his own, as well as his bio sons. Talk about practicing what you preach!!

 

which brings me to number.....

5. He was selfless. Sure, Dan's not perfect and we're all truly selfish at the core, but this man put others first in more ways than one. He often helped his fellow students, tutoring them in difficult subjects. He helped people move on his day off. He began preaching at the senior living center in our neighborhood and taught the youth at our church. He invested in difficult relationships when it would have been easier to play the school card and check out.

4. He involved us. When Dan considered going to Zimbabwe for his internship, going alone was not an option. Even though 3 other guys worked the 6 weeks without their families, Dan made it a priority for all of us to go and serve together. Not only did this offer the boys and I a much needed vacation from America, but it kept our family going. We NEEDED that time together to refresh us for our last two years of seminary!

3. He was faithful. If school got tough, he stayed up late and finished his work while saving precious daylight hours for his family. He didn't hesitate to ask us for help or extra space and time, but he also didn't hesitate to drop his books and focus on the people in front of him. It was quite the balancing act, and he did it well.

2. He worked hard on our marriage! 4 years of seminary could have easily made him into a prideful man, one who believes he's arrived and learned it all. Thankfully, Covenant Seminary does an amazing job at humbling you while encouraging you towards Christ. At a time when he could have been tempted to focus on himself, Dan grew as a husband.

1. He answered God's call on his life. He could have run away. He could have given up when we were broke and the dream of opening a taco truck were just at his finger tips (true story). But he didn't. He trusted that God was calling him into a life of ministry, and he followed.


This weekend has been so busy with family in town, late night ceremonies and services and graduation parties. This week, I look forward to enjoying the new normal as Dan no longer rushes off to class or stays up until 2am writing a paper. I am so so so proud of this man and I am so so so thankful it's over!!

PROUD!

8 Semesters. 1 international internship. Countless late nights, exams and papers.

2 proud children.

1 proud wife.
1 seminary graduate.

It was a long four years, but our Lord carried us through. It is because of Him that we moved to St. Louis. It is because of Him that we had food to eat and the power to continue through really hard times. Our God is so great!!!

The End of a Chapter

When we moved to St. Louis four years ago, we had one of these:

Since then, we've welcomed another, cared for many and now anticipate the arrival of another!

I remember when we bought Dan's desk and got him all set up for his first semester of class. I had NO idea what the next four years would hold!

I also had no idea that we'd get rid of Dan's office in our fourth year to make space for a playroom of all things!

The last four years have been nothing short of challenging, but we've come away with a deeper marriage and a better understanding of who we are in light of God. We are so blessed!

I am so excited to spend this week celebrating Dan's graduation with his family in town. We've got lots of busy nights ahead of us, but hopefully we'll get to squeeze in a date night?

Serve God, Die and Be Forgotten

This Sunday's sermon was about Bethlehem, an insignificant city that was made significant through God's holy purposes. Our pastor went on to apply this theme to our personal lives. It's funny, because what some of us might know about ourselves (that we are insignificant, a drop in a bucket) is not always how we feel about ourselves.

As toddlers, we demand to be served. IMMEDIATELY! There is something in each of us that tells us "I'm the sh@#". But the truth is, we are insignificant. We are one of millions. We are fleeting. And yet, God gives our lives meaning. He gives us our significance by using us for His holy purposes. We are annoying little selfish people who are changed into people with important jobs to do.

Our pastor shared a quote by Nicolaus Ludwig Zizendorf who said "Preach the gospel, die and be forgotten". He would tell this to the refugees he was training to become missionaries. It kind of sounds depressing, but it's actually freeing. We are already insignificant and will most likely be forgotten anyways, but we are free to follow the Lord and let HIS significance become our own.

Since coming to seminary, I've struggled with my role and honestly, my own significance. Dan has a clear calling. One that allows him to be educated (much more than me!) and to become an expert on certain subjects. He gains a voice that I will never have. At times, I am jealous, but when I remember that we are both equally insignificant in this world without God, well our significance in Christ is equally important.

Dan is called to serve God through preaching and teaching, but God has given me a very humble yet significant role to serve. God is using me in my children's lives and in the community where I work, shop and play. If there's no pressure to be remembered, well I can get pretty busy being significant in the laundry room and kitchen! He can use me on the playground and in the coffee shops, in hospital rooms and at craft shows. If God's purposes are always my goal, then He will make those interactions significant. That is how I intend to serve God, die and be forgotten.

It helps, too, when it's finals week and I have no profs to impress, but instead get to spend my days with these two little men!

3 Seminary Wives...

Three wives with husbands in school and consumed

They each had small children with nothing to do

They all got together in someone's back yard

to swim and eat pizza so no one would starve.

Hoping for more Tuesdays like today!

Semester #5

Dan began his fifth semester last month and so far, so good. This semester is supposed to be his heaviest but I feel prepared. He will definitely get busier as the weeks go on but for now, we've been able to have a few dinners and even lunches together so I am not complaining.

Since moving to St. Louis, I feel like we've barely been able to keep our heads above water. Starting the year off last August with Lazzy's birth was incredibly difficult. This time, I feel like we are all in a boat, working together and breathing much easier. We spent so much time together this summer and life with two boys (vs. a toddler and newborn) has gotten less hectic. I feel encouraged and energized, ready to support Dan through this difficult time. That's not to say we won't be ready for fall break next month. AND Thanksgiving break. AND Christmas break!

3 down, 5 to go

Dan finished up his third semester on Tuesday evening. To celebrate, we tried to have dinner at Benton Park Cafe, keeping up with tradition. Elijah was being awesome (as he usually is when we go out to eat) but Lazzy was troubled. I'm still not sure what's wrong with him, but he's been acting funny lately. Perhaps a growth spurt. Anyways, we are incredibly relieved to have another semester under our belts. This one was especially difficult. It began two days after Lazzy was born and ended with Dan and Eli sick with the flu.

Let's just say, it's been a cranky 3 1/2 months for me! Still, God has been so faithful to carry us through a very difficult time. He's provided friendships for me during a very lonely time. He's given us time with friends and family, refreshing our souls through worship and fellowship at church and in our home. He's given Dan great study partners and so opportunities to deepen relationships. We feel blessed to be in St. Louis and to have so many praying for us and supporting us during this time. We really couldn't do it without the people of God walking along side of us.

Here's Dan letting loose with the boys (Dog Pile!). It's been great to have him back!!!

So Proud!

(Dan, ready to go preach for class)

Dan took a few less credits this semester. We all hoped it would make it a little easier for Dan to do well at school while also working and being a dad of two boys. I've learned that fewer credits do not automatically mean an easier time at school. I also learned that my husband is amazing. Not only has he managed to be four people in one, he does a pretty good job at it. At the beginning of this year, he was a barback for a fancy restaurant in town. Within a few months, he got a position as a server and is doing a great job of it. He continues to study hard and receive good marks on papers and tests. He's a sweet husband to me and best of all, he is such a good dad. He spends a lot of time playing football, reading stories and painting airplanes and angels with Elijah (random combo, I know). In the midst of it all, he still manages to put in some cuddle time with littlest.

It's been difficult balancing school, work and family. I still don't think we get enough time with him, but I know Dan is working hard to do his best in all things. I appreciate his efforts and am so thankful he is my husband.

Dan the celebrity

Lately, Eli has been calling Dan by three names: dada, papa and daddy. Dada is still the one that comes most naturally to him, but if he's been hanging out with his friend Eden, he will suddenly switch to papa, which is what she calls her dad. Daddy is very very new and is only used when he thinks long and hard about it. Either way, this little guy loves his dada and can't get enough of him. There is no doubt that Elijah loves me like crazy, but he treats Dan like a celebrity. In Eli's eyes, Dan can do no wrong. He is superman!

Most mornings, Dan is late running out the door to meet other seminary students in the park for car pool. This happens because he can't wake up with his alarm, but also because he and Eli get distracted with activities and games. Everything takes a few minutes longer to do because Eli is involved-making breakfast, grinding coffee, brushing teeth, etc. All of these thing are opportunities for Eli and Dan to have fun.

There is no telling what kind of silly games Dan and Eli will make up at 7am.

Three to four nights a week, Dan is home in time for dinner, evening play and Eli's bath. I am so thankful for these times together as a family, because I know of other families that have less. Even better, about every two to three weeks, we can spend an entire morning or sometimes day together as a family. These are truly a treat for both Eli and I.

Last week, we spent a morning at the Soulard farmer's market. After shopping for cheap and delicious produce, we grabbed pulled pork sandwiches from a vendor and had lunch at a nearby park. Elijah ran around while Dan and I caught up. There was a pond with ducks and swans, too. Eli kept asking the ducks to talk to him, but when they quacked, he got scared. The swans were beautiful though and we had fun teaching Eli all about them.

If you think about it, please pray for Dan. He feels weighed down and has a lot on his plate. Pray for our family as we go another five weeks with very little time together. I look forward to this summer and know that it will be a time of refreshment and reconnecting as a family, but right now, summer feels so far away. Still, I have no doubts about being here in St. Louis so Dan can go to seminary. Our schedule is unbalanced here, and we all just need to adapt. This too shall pass. There is a break coming soon and God will sustain us until then.

Back to School

After a much needed break, Dan goes back to school tomorrow morning, refreshed and ready to learn. He had a great first semester and did well in his two week long Greek class over the break. He is truly in his element.

We both feel so blessed to be here in St. Louis. I think it's obvious why Dan is so happy to be here, but it has taken some time for me to figure out the exact source of my happiness. Over the last two years, I have struggled with having too many desires (all of them good) but having to choose between them, or rather allow God to lead me towards one and away from another. It has been God's way of teaching me to be a good wife and mother and to follow Him no matter what. He has taught me to desire what HE desires for me which often times comes with loss. The biggest loss for me relating to Dan's seminary education has been not finishing my own. It has been hard to let go of my own desire to finish my BA, but I am glad that I did. I could not possibly have been a good wife, mother and student all at the same time. It would have meant a lot of stress for our family, putting seminary on hold and thus pushing back our hopes to minister through missions in the future. I know myself and so I had to choose.

As well, I truly believe that God is leading our family through Dan and his strong calling to minister to the church through missions. I really am blessed by following him and supporting him through seminary. I know that God will use it for all of us, not just Dan, and I am thankful for that. I am so proud of Dan and I pray that God will prepare my heart for ministry with him, either through school or other experiences.

With all that said, here is Dan with his books (actually, there are more on the list that he didn't get!) for this semester. Please pray for him, that he would be able to balance his time well, that he would study hard and would be a blessing to his classmates and community.

To our supporters: THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for generously giving with joy and carrying our family through this time.

One down, seven more to go

I have the time to post tonight because Dan is out with a fellow seminary freshman, celebrating the end of their first semester. The strange thing is, I am glad he is out enjoying himself while I stay at home with Eli. This is a huge testament to the Lord's faithfulness to us over the last few months. Just the other night in the midst of finals, Dan asked me if I was lonely. I told him that I was, but that it was okay.
My biggest fear about coming to St. Louis for seminary was that I would never see Dan and we would be back to the beginning of our marriage, which was bad. It's true that Dan has been busy with classes and numerous jobs. But somehow, we have managed to spend time together as a family. We've begun to find the balance. Between papers, late nights and Greek flash cards, we've had home made dinners, weekend vacations, and family walks in the park. God has been so good to us, so gracious toward us. He has blessed us during this transition and has calmed my heart about the future. We have gotten through the first semester of eight. I know that this might be the easiest of them all, but I am thankful even if this was only the quiet before the storm.
Today, we celebrated Dan by sleeping in, going out for a delicious breakfast and taking a very long walk through Benton Park. It was a cold but beautiful day. Dan and Eli had fun throwing sticks at the frozen pond. We "hiked" and chased our giggling little boy. It was so wonderful.