Meeting Mason

Sunday and Monday Aaron and I went to southern Nebraska to visit with Lori and meet her new baby Mason. She's adorable! Check out more pics click here. We talked the entire 5 hours home trying to figure out the next year and plans beyond, but as usual we didn't really figure anything out, if anything we just came up with more possibilities and more things we'd like to do. One question we debated is...does Washington D.C. figure into the total number of states one visits? Example - I've been to 31 states, but Aaron said it's really 32 because of D.C.. I argued that D.C. doesn't count because it's not part of the 50 states. Okay, enough rambling (see this is how we chatted for 5 hours yesterday) back to work, happy Tuesday:)

Tuna

It’s official I’m loosing it. I haven’t relieved or dealt with anything lately. Most of the ‘stuff’ is more in Aaron’s realm, but I think I’m internalizing my feelings as well as trying to take on and work through Aaron’s as well. Just tying this might help, so really, after you read this I’m sure I’ll be better for writing as you start to worry. Here goes a summary of the past two weeks. Two weeks ago today we were watching OSU in the Final Four when we got a call about a tragic accident involving four great aunts and uncles as well as grandpa on Aaron’s side. One aunt was killed instantly and we went to the Sioux Falls hospital to be with two great uncles and keep the out of town family informed of what was going on. Both died due to injuries. During Holy Week we traveled to Red Wing, MN for a funeral as well as Sinai, SD. Aaron did two funerals for folks at his internship as well as preached Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday. Following Easter worship we went to Mitchell, SD to visit with a cousin in her early 20’s fighting cancer. After most of the family left we were able to get a detailed report of her fight from her dad and we left with our hopes in medical treatment pretty much completely smashed. Monday we had the best day in a long time exploring Wind Cave in the Black Hills as well as driving through Custer State Park without tourists. Then it was off to a theological conference. Our time in the hills gave us a much needed break and time together, but now we’re back and I should be writing a sermon on Doubting Thomas for tomorrow. I’m also really concerned for my step-sister and her unborn baby. History shows that she can’t care for her children – she has two living in different families. When will she realize she can’t care for this one? All this leaves me exhausted. I haven’t been to the grocery in almost 3 weeks, but I have found a new recipe for tuna – when in need combine, diced sweet pickles, ranch (expiration date 3.21.07, but smell it first), mustard and corn serve on toasted stale wheat bread. Today if I get the sermon written and grocery shopping done it will be a good day.

Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Park

On our day off we toured some parks in the Hills. April weekdays are ideal, no crowds, animals are everywhere and you'll still see some snow on a 60 degree day.