A Post-Middler Year Update and a Bunch of Pictures

Hello again!  If you came here looking for some soul-searching reflections, keep reading.  If you just came here for Jason updates (no judgement from me), then just read these first few sentences:

Jason continues to grow and become more hilarious every day.  He is two and a half and still a very laid-back guy.  His big moments this past semester include receiving the Eucharist for the first time at the Easter Vigil at Nashotah, staying in a cabin for the first time, and learning how to use the potty.  He's a special kid, and we continually ask ourselves how we got so lucky to be his parents.

TJ had quite the second semester.  Before seminary, I didn’t realize that the road to ordination is long and filled with lots of “things”, which he has been working on along with his regular school stuff.  As part of his ordination process, he needed to complete an internship at a church other than our home church.  So, we attended Trinity Episcopal Church in Wauwatosa, where TJ was mentored by the priest there.  He had regular mentoring sessions, he participated in the liturgy nearly every Sunday, and he had opportunities to teach and give sermons.  He has also been in discussion with the diocese of Milwaukee in regards to placement in a church after graduation.  A LOT has been happening, and it's a whirlwind.  I’ve often found myself thinking “yay, we only have one year of seminary left!” and then, ten minutes later, I’ll think “we STILL have one year of seminary left?!”  I don't know how this guy does it, but he's doing an amazing job. 

Here are some pictures from our past few months:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We celebrated Jason's second birthday with family in Missouri while we were there for Thanksgiving, and again with friends at Nashotah.  The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train came through town on his birthday, which was the perfect present for a two year old:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winter was loooooong, but we made the most of it with lots of playing and sledding:

 

 

 

 

The following are a few pictures from various celebrations at Nashotah.  Saint Nicholas/Dr. Anderson visited all the children on St. Nick's Day:

 

 

 

Holy Week is really incredible around here -- I was amazed last year because I had never experienced anything like it, and this year was no different.  I snuck a few pictures here and there, including this one from our Maundy Thursday service:

 

 

After the Maundy Thursday service, there is an all-night vigil in the smaller Red Chapel.  The community takes turns in hour-long shifts to sit with the sacrament.  I caught this peaceful scene as I was leaving the Red Chapel:

 

And here is this goofball on Palm Sunday:

 

 

During their middler and senior years, students have opportunities to preach short sermons during the morning prayer and Eucharist.  Here is a picture of TJ during one of his sermons!  (From this angle, the chapel looks almost empty, but I promise there were people there):

 

 

Here is an adorable picture of Jason backing up the procession during the Rogation Day beating of the bounds:

 

 

For my birthday, we spent a few days in a cabin in the woods of Galena, Illinois.  We had an amazing time exploring and hanging out in this awesome cabin.  Here's a picture of TJ and Jason taking in the view:

 

 

And -- finally -- summer came to Wisconsin!  We have been enjoying lots of beach days:

 

 

We've been on this crazy journey for two years now, and I still feel very much energized but also sometimes feel like I've been run over by a truck.  I went in to this whole adventure with one major goal for myself, and that was to live the most authentic life possible.  I had been feeling stifled and guarded, and I wanted to completely live in to the life I was being called to.  For the most part, it's been pretty easy.  I feel like I finally took the lock off the closet door that's bulging with things, and now they're all pouring out -- things I had been wanting to do but couldn't find the time or the creative juices, things I had been wanting to say and believe but was scared of being judged, things that I wanted to experience but had never had the opportunity. 

With that being said, I definitely don’t want anyone thinking that this “spiritual journey” my family is on has been easy.  I know our blog is full of awesome stories about exploring our new state and how much fun we’re having (and cute Jason pictures).  But, oh my gosh, has this journey been hard.

As my faith grows and changes, I am discovering my brokenness even more.  I'm having to come to terms with the fact that perhaps, before I started down this path of "realness", I might have damaged some of my relationships because of things I said or didn't say.  I am also discovering that I have to be okay with not pleasing everyone.  I have to be okay with the fact that I've changed a lot.  Amidst all the amazing things we've gotten to experience, there have been times when I've never felt more alone.
 

 

 

Making this shift in our lives was necessary.  We needed to do it.  We chose a hard path, and it has come with incredible gifts and intense heartache.  But -- again -- it was necessary.  God doesn’t promise us an easy life – we know we’re going to bear some great burdens.  We are just learning to live in the push and pull of excitement and hardship.  We are learning to be real and honest about what we need and how we feel.  It totally doesn’t look like a perfect life, but it’s authentic.  I need authenticity more than perfection.  And it's such a huge, huge blessing.

So, friends, thank you for following us on this journey so far.  I hope that TJ and I can continue to be real with you.