Archive | July, 2011

‘naners.

25 Jul
You know about my ‘naners, right?  [Dancing Bananas/high school friends/ring a bell?]
I was so grateful that three of them were able to celebrate with me yesterday.  And herein is the only group photo I took of the day –

[Krissy, right, insisted that she stand there and her twin sister, Kim, stand on the left so it would be a Poff sandwich.  I argued that the Poff girls should have stood in between the bread of Lynn and I because who has a wheat sandwich?  Rye?  No.  You call a sandwich by what’s on the inside.  Oh well.  One battle I lost, obviously not influenced or helped by the magical powers I received earlier.]
Many of you were snapping away and for that I am grateful!  It would be super awesome if you could email me the photos you have so I can blog, facebook, and print them off to share!  [Please and thank you?]

formal vs. casual.

25 Jul
I meant to blog about this a few days ago but, well, time slipped away.  Something about an ordination?
I received a package towards the end of last week.  The return address was Stillwater; the last name was Gieseke.  I knew I was in for a treat.
Inside the package was a bag of all sorts of practical things any pastor needs.  Emory boards, whale playing cards, note paper, glow sticks, and more.  Plus a can cozy.
Yes.  A can cozy.
This can cozy was designed especially for me, to showcase both the formal and the casual sides of being a pastor.  You’d best bet I put it to use last night in the celebration at my house that followed the ordination.  Both formal and casual characters were documented.  I’ll let you figure out which is which.  Good luck.

crying and smiling.

25 Jul
There’s that Dr. Seuss quote that gets around – “Don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened.”
That’s not working out so well for me in regards to [whispers] the ordination.
It’s not all tears – I am smiling.  I’ve been smiling since guests began arriving yesterday.  My friend, Sara, arrived to my house early afternoon yesterday, followed by Cassie.  Dawson folks arrived at church shortly after [including a wonderful surprise as Sharon walked into church!], and then congregation members, call committee people from Austin, family, and more friends.  I smiled when Keith, the custodian from Grace, greeted me with a smirk, a hug, [note: oxford comma] and a “Sunshine!”  I smiled when Miss Molly Bea [my 6th grade cousin and goddaughter] conquered her public speaking fear to read during the service.  I smiled when my mom put the stole around my shoulders, and felt great moments of support and comfort through the hands that were laid upon me.  I smiled when Kendall said, “I’ll be right back,” dipped down into the pulpit, and came back up with three gnomes to teach us lessons.  [More on that to follow.  I will share the gnomes and the lessons with you!]  I smiled during the special music and when I handed bread to my cousin, Sam, during communion as he giggled.  I smiled at how lovely the ladies of the church set up the reception that followed, complete with fancy coffee servers and a quilt/prayer shawl gift for me.  And many hugs.  So many hugs.  I love hugs.  It was a good day.  [More stories certainly to follow.]
But now this morning, I’m crying too.  I cried in the days leading up to the ordination, causing me fear that I wouldn’t be able to remain dry-eyed during the service.  Miraculously, I did.  [I recall this from my last Sunday in Dawson, too.  It’s not because I’m a rock and have no emotions – I think my body holds out on me and keeps me pretty level-headed when I’m in front of people.]  I’m crying because it’s over and because of all the people who traveled and supported me on this day.  I felt so incredibly loved yesterday!  I’m crying because for the last few weeks I’ve been able to say to many of my geographically-distant friends, “I’ll see you soon!”  Now I don’t know when I’ll see them next.  I cry at the wonderful notes that people wrote in the cards I received [“Lindsay, You have been on my daily prayer list for years and you will continue to be on that list.”], and cry at how wonderfully my friends from home and family [some of whom are not so favorable towards church] tell me they’re proud of me and support me.

It was a big day.  A good day.  An emotional service and wonderful celebration.  A ginormous thank you to all those who came, who hugged, who participated, and who were thinking about me yesterday!

I felt the love.  Thank you.

[want to hear a rap about the ordination?  of course you do and my rapping friends, Joel and Melissa, provided!  it’s awesome.  as usual.  “so/ the sun is setting as I write this rhyme/ can you believe it’s almost time/ four years at seminary/ a couple interviews/ hey/ did you hear the great news?/ Lindsay Stolen gettin’ ordained on Sunday afternoon/ near the end of July/ the month after June/ with joy we dance to a little tune/ your feet hit the floor/ the plans have been made/ cold oatmeal with almond milk/ is your breakfast of trade/ a robe called an alb/ a stole/ you’re a pastor/ how the time flies much faster/ how do you feel? … well we’ll just ask you/ you’re a firework/ a dance party rocker/ blogger extraordinaire/ a tight rope walker/ so what we’re trying to say/ through all these words and phrases/ may God bless you this day and always/ for new trails you blaze/ peace and love to you.”

AND if you weren’t able to attend, here’s a section of the service, lovingly prepared and taped by my soon-to-be southeastern MN colleagues.  they’ve already invited themselves over to my house for dinner on sept. 12 and much shenanigans will ensue.  thanks to Lauren, jD, and Paige for this creative greeting!  I am blessed with such awesome friends, all around.  seriously.]

[the sound?  the baptismal font.  love it.]

it’s here.

24 Jul
I’ve been a bit absent [again] as I’ve been busy preparing for today.  [and for a cousin’s graduation party yesterday.]
It’s here.  It’s time.  People are on their way …
[whispers]
the ordination.
I’m nervous as all get out.  But excited too.  It’s down to those last minute details like where the clergy will vest and who will use what microphones.  It will be okay.  God will show up.  I will be ordained.  There will be many tears and much rejoicing.
Prayers welcomed.  Stories to follow.

acceptance.

21 Jul
I received my oh-so-very official letter of call to Red Oak Grove in the mail a few days ago.  It has a gold seal and everything.  By putting a letter of acceptance in the mail tomorrow, I accept the call to serve as their pastor.  This is my job description:
“To preach and teach the Word of God in accordance with the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions; to administer Holy Baptism and Holy Communion; to lead in worship; to proclaim the forgiveness of sins; to provide pastoral care; to speak justice in behalf of the poor and oppressed; to encourage persons to prepare for the ministry of the Gospel; to impart knowledge of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in American and its wider ministry; to endeavor to increase support given by our congregation to the work of our whole church; to equip the congregation for witness and service; and guide the congregation in proclaiming God’s love through word and deed.”
I love it.
Game on.

bulletin: complete.

20 Jul
It was a big day in the world of ordination planning for this girl.  Knowing that the bulletins need to be printed tomorrow meant buckling down on the project that has consumed my life.  Picky and particular about spacing, layout, and fonts, I spend way too much time on things like this.  But I was also able to add something to the bulletin today which was quite thrilling for me –
Special music.  With word this morning that the entire staff of Grace in Dawson is coming [enter jumping up and down, a three-fold amen, or something to signify the excitement], I realized I had both a talented piano man and strong voice to put to use.  Last minute, I know, but I’m super excited that Chris and Jon agreed to do a music piece for the offering.  [Likely another moment I’ll cry during the service.]
I made lots of detail phone calls today.  I spoke with the woman of the church who is putting together the reception that follows.  She wondered how many to plan for at the service.  75?, she asked.  I said, well, with my family and friends from outside the church alone, I bet we’re looking at fifty.  [Fifty?!  I’m so excited!]  I spoke to Red Oak Grove [check out this strange looking girl on their website] to learn if they were or were not coming to present me.  [Answer still unknown.]  Facebook messages, emails, and texts were sent and received, all leading up to a fairly concrete and appropriate service, neatly arranged on four sheets of folded paper.  To the printer tomorrow and then I won’t look at them until Sunday for fear of finding a typo.
It was a great check-things-off-the-list kind of day and simply a day to get extremely emotional about what is to come.  I spoke to Tammy on the phone and she told me, “I’m so excited I can hardly stand it!” Me too!  My red stole [sewn by my mother] hangs on the door to my bedroom and as I look at it, I realize I’m trapped in a glass case of emotion.  One minute, it’s tears.  The next, pure unhinged excitement.  I can’t stand it!
[I also went to Madison for a haircut.  Baked a batch of cookies.  Went swimming with the cousins whom I picked up from daycare.  Made cakepops with Aunt Kari and cousin Connor for his grad party on Saturday.  Long day.  Exciting day.  Time for night-night.  Sleep well.]

shoes.

19 Jul
I’m going to get all girly on you right about now.
I’m so excited to begin working again in a congregation.  I’m so thrilled to think about doing ministry again as a pastor.  I can’t wait for many reasons [new people, children’s ministry, a house] but one of those reasons is pretty silly.
I miss wearing heels.

I miss dressing up on a daily basis.  Last year, while on internship, I discovered I loved heels with a nice pair of Gap trousers.  First of all, the pants are too long for me to wear without heels.  [I’m short.]  But second, I just feel much more put together and I know I carry myself taller when I’m propped up a few inches by my shoes.

I loved the feeling of a fun pair of heels on my feet while wearing a robe leading worship.  [It’s nearly the only part of me that people can see, not covered by the alb.  Might as well make it fun and my style.] There were many Sundays people commented on the shoes.  Many times the women loved them and often time, the men made fun of them.  
I still remember wearing my shiny black pointy-toed heels for the first time on a Sunday.  As I recessed out with Kendall at the end of the service, an usher stopped me in the narthex and asked me if I had a license to carry a lethal weapon.  “What?” I asked him, seriously confused.  He pointed to my shoes.  “You could hurt someone with those.”
Wearing heels requires some strategic planning.  To not wear the ones that clicked the loudest on the hardwood floors of the altar area at funerals was often a part of my thought process.  In the winter, to transition from the actual funeral service to the graveside meant a quick switch of heels to boots or flats.  Often times, I actually just kept my heels at church, especially in the winter.  They sat in a line behind my desk in my office and I would wear my boots to and from, changing when I walked in the door.
I don’t have much cause to wear heels right now.  I’ll be honest – most days I don’t do my hair and some I don’t even change out of my sweats.  It’s pretty lowkey here on Aarback as I make cakepops and prep the ordination bulletin.

But that doesn’t mean I haven’t added to my heel wardrobe in the last few weeks.  I scored a pair of red low heels as ordination footwear [The color of the day is red.] and the other two pair I bought today, all mega on clearance.  I figure they’ll be put to use once I’m back in the parish.  Or maybe tomorrow, just for kicks [get it?  kicks.], I’ll wear them when I go off to Madison to get my hair cut.  [My hair needs a major boost of life.  It’s pretty dead.  Hopefully Mallory can help me!]

we do weddings.

18 Jul
My home congregation is currently in interim and the interim has been on vacation for the last couple weeks.  I had a few clergy/wedding questions that I found no answers to online so I decided to visit my grandparent’s church in town and speak to their pastor.  
Pastor Jim was willing to sit down with me and answer my questions.  [Turns out, as a member of the clergy, I don’t need to register with the county/state in order to facilitate weddings.  Weird.]  We then began talking about what was coming up for me and for him, which led to ordination talk and more wedding talk.
My friends, Lynn and Kyle, are getting married at this church in September by Pastor Jim with me in some sort of assisting role.  I’ve done it before.  My friends, Kim and Mike, were married there a few years ago.  I assisted and preached the message.  [Kim is always quite thrilled to tell people that I blessed her.]
And so Pastor Jim and I talk about Lynn and Kyle’s wedding.  He mentioned that he spoke to Kyle earlier that day about pre-marital and beginning to make final decisions for the big day.  Kyle brought up my role in the service, reminding Pastor Jim that both he and Lynn want me to be a part of it.  
Pastor Jim said, “Oh, sure.  No problem.  Lindsay and I do weddings.”

Love it.

I wish –

18 Jul
I’ve been away.  There has been much blogging delay.  
I wish I could say that I’ve been busy hanging out with the hopeful new friend whom I emailed last week but nope.  I think he found me creepy and has yet to respond.  [I’m a wee bit bummed about this.]
I wish I could say that I’ve been busy replying to all of you who have written me emails.  But that’s not true either.  [Responses will come, I promise!]
I wish I could say that I was finishing up the final touches on the latest Cooking Pastor episode but that’s not the case.  I’m working on editing it but this one is taking me a bit longer.  It will be here sometime soon!
I wish I could say that I spent a couple hours at the theater watching the final installment of Harry Potter. I haven’t seen it yet but hope I will find time/friends to see it this week.
I wish I could say that I’ve been steadily focused on ordination and now all of those pieces are in place but that’s just silly.  If everything was ready, what would I have to do/stress about this week?  
Those are the things I have not been doing.  So where the hay have I been?
Playing a healthy and therapeutic dose of Apples to Apples and CatchPhrase with a picnic table full of cousins.  

Celebrating Tobacco Heritage Days in Edgerton.  It’s our summer festival and my way of celebrating included participating/helping at a family rummage sale on Friday, going out with friends on Saturday night, and watching the parade on Sunday.  Perhaps some of you know about my history of stripping [tobacco].  This year, the parade featured a series of floats [read: tractors] that explained the growing,  harvesting, and stripping processes of tobacco.  This is how I used to strip: [you can kinda see the dry-leafed plants hanging upside down.  remove leaves.  put in tobacco presses shown.  press.  bundle.  done.]
Catching up with old friends.  Twins Melanie and Megan joined Kim, Kay, and I for the parade in this lovely 90+ degree day.  Melanie and Megan were two years younger than us in high school but we became friends when they hosted an AFS student, Oksana, whom we all dearly loved.  Seeing Melanie and Megan, sitting at the parade with them, and catching up on each others’ lives seriously warmed my heart today.  
Following the parade, I celebrated with Marj, the mom of another high school friend, Jenni, at her birthday open house.  It was great to see Marj, other friends, and Jenni, who now lives in Indiana with her husband and foster children.  So wonderful.
Rolling, dipping, and decorating 250 cakepops.  Friend Krissy is getting married in three weeks and I said I would help her make cakepops for the reception.  We began at 4pm and I returned home after 11:30.  [My feet hurt.]
That’s where I’ve been.  I hope to be a more consistent virtual friend for you this week as the icky humid heat keeps me indoors.  I’m also fairly certain I’ll need the therapy of writing as my emotions grow out of whack in anticipation of [whispers] the ordination.

be honest –

14 Jul
Am I creepy?
Sometimes I wonder.
I understand I can be quirky and a bit strange.  For people who don’t know me, that may translate to creepy.  I sincerely hope not, but I wonder.
It’s coincidental and ironic that right about a year ago, I wrote a facebook message to someone I barely knew and asked him if he wanted to be my friend.  And it worked out.  Friends we became.  We played games and ate dinner and watched movies together.  We had fun together.  [At least I thought we did.  We’re not quite friends anymore so decipher what you will.  It makes me sad.  I miss him.  But that’s another story for another day.  Or never.  I probably scared him with my creepiness.]
It’s coincidental and ironic because I did it again.  I wrote an email last night to someone I have only briefly met once and, essentially, asked him to be my friend.  I really, really hope I didn’t creep him out.  I just casually mentioned that I know what it’s like to be a new pastor in a small town [yep.] and if he ever wanted to play Scrabble or talk to someone who wasn’t a member of his congregation [it’s sometimes nice.] that he should let me know.  It was both me offering to be a friend to him and me really hoping he will be my friend.  I could really use a friend who wants to play a board game on a random night or talk about church stuff.  Or go see the last Harry Potter movie.  [I’m Harry Potter friend-less.]   It would be swell.
But good news – if I did creep him out, all he needs to do is not respond and I don’t think we’ll ever really see each other again.  No harm, no regrets, and I tried.  [Unless he approaches my grandma at church and tells her what a creepy granddaughter she has.  But I don’t think he’d do that.  Or unless he comes to my ordination as a local clergy person.  He might do that.]
← Older Entries
Newer Entries →