Counting the days.

Getting a little claustrophobic in the lower level!!

Plowing a path to the shed in the backyard.

We've had a couple more showings of the house, but still no offer. Good news, however, is that we have friends who are in transition also, and would like to rent our house for a couple of months. So they will stay here (with very minimal furniture) and will keep the sidewalks and driveway cleared for us. If we get a buyer, they'll make other arrangements.

Keeping the sidewalk and driveway clear have been a challenge for Wayne. He plowed a path to the shed in our backyard last Friday and today it was all filled in again. Thankfully it was still fluffy and he's got it cleared again.

We are getting lots of things sorted, packed, and eliminated! I took a tip from another person who moved recently and got some colored tape. Bright hunter orange tape to mark the boxes that go to storage!

The "good byes" have started and will continue for the next week and a half. The congregation will have a sending blessing for Wayne at each of the 3 services this coming weekend. There will also be a farewell reception after each service. My last day at Hospice will be Feb 9th.

More of the Same.....

Nothing major to report. We have another showing of the house this evening...but so far no offers. We're trying to be patient. I would like our house hunters to see what the yard looks like in the summer- maybe that would help.

We have both been busy with work and making preparations for the move. The good folks down in Tea have a crew of volunteers scheduled to be on the road Friday, February 11 at 5:30 AM!!! They'll be here by mid-morning and will help us load a professional moving truck. The truck will be driven to Tea by the company driver and then the volunteer crew will help us unload down there on Saturday!

Oh yeah, did you hear that the Packers are going to the Super Bowl?

The Latest

Just a few updates. As you can see, Wayne has received and accepted the official "Letter of Call" from Trinity Lutheran Church in Tea, SD. His last Sunday here at the church in Watertown will be February 6. He'll have a few duties the following week and then will be packing his office.

We'll be packing up our household goods in coming weeks and then on February 11 a crew of volunteers from Tea will arrive to load a moving truck. When the truck arrives in Tea, the crew will be there to unload at both our apartment and the storage unit. We will have a pretty large storage unit for keeping our "excess" stuff and and Wayne thinks it will be a good place to have a work bench and hang out (aka dog house!).

Debbie has accepted the position of receptionist at the Information Desk at Sanford Hospital. Her start date will be Feb. 14 beginning with orientation. This part-time position will be a good start at Sanford and will also allow time for unpacking and being Grandma!

So things are really coming together and these next weeks will go fast. We're still waiting on a buyer for the house and our realtor will be having an open house on Jan. 22. We are hopeful.

Update

Trinity Lutheran Church, Tea, SD

Five days into the new year and it already appears that 2011 will be a very special year for us. At the congregational meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 4th, the congregation of Trinity Lutheran Church voted to call Wayne as their associate pastor. He is waiting for the official paperwork, but has told them that he will accept that call. We'll know a starting/moving in the next weeks, but it will most likely be mid-February.

In anticipation of what we hoped would be a positive vote, I made arrangements to see several rental units in Tea early this week and Wayne and I decided on a place today. I also had been submitting job applications and have been called to interview for two positions at Sanford Medical Center. One is at the information/reception desk and one is in admissions. So hopefully one of those will work out. We've had a few showings of our house and are hopeful that we'll get a buyer sometime soon.

Meanwhile, we enjoyed some fun time with the little Gallipo family while we were in Sioux Falls. Aubrey had another gift opening session and loved all her gifts. One was a little doll that sings "I'm a little tea pot" and since Aubrey had been learning that song at daycare, it was a real hit. Here's a little video ... at the end you'll hear her asking to see it. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP2H7dc-lPM

House for Sale

As most of you know, we are waiting for the next step in our pending move. One week from tonight, on January 4, the congregation of Trinity Lutheran Church will have a meeting. At this meeting they will have the opportunity to meet Wayne (and me) and ask questions if they wish. Immediately following the "meet and greet" and the dismissal of Wayne and me, the congregation will vote on whether to extend a call to Wayne... asking him to come and serve the church as their associate pastor. We feel pretty confident that the congregation will extend a call, but of course we need to hear the final word.

Meanwhile, in anticipation of the pending move, we have our house for sale. We have to keep things nice and tidy to be prepared for house hunters! And we continue to be busy with work and activities.

We appreciate your thoughts and prayers as we are in this time of discernment and expectation.

Christmas Snapshots

Here are a few pics of our fun Christmas Day in Aberdeen. Unfortunately I didn't catch everyone with the camera... but here are a few. Needless to say it was great to see everyone and enjoy some great food and lots of fun.

Another special performance at the Goss

We enjoyed great company and superb entertainment at the Goss Opera House last night. Doyle Dykes was here to share his music. Here's just a tidbit......

Its nice that the bunnies can enjoy the remnant of my flower bed. I appreciate that they didn't bother it in the spring and summer, so now I hope they are finding some good things to eat!

Coming soon....... an update on our lives. Looking forward to seeing many of you on Christmas!