R.I.P. Cole Cottage

Here's a picture of Cole Cottage that I found from our first trip ever to Nashotah House.

Cole Cottage Burns to the Ground

Historic Cole Cottage, on the Nashotah House campus, burned to the ground last night. Thank God that Father Henery and his family moved out last year! Nobody was currently living there. It was a really old, cool house, but it really was in disrepair. We used it for our rumage sale this past Fall, just after the Henery's moved out. As you can see from the picture, it was a raging fire. They have not found the cause, yet. Thank God that the firemen contained it and it did not spread to any of the other buildings near it!

Congratulations Rob!

Isn't this South Carolina Diocese flag the coolest ever! It was custom designed--the first of its kind--for us! Thank you so much to Rob's mom for arranging it all and giving it to us as a Christmas present. If you are interested in having one made for yourself, email me, and I will get you the details.

Congratulations to Rob who was recommended by the Commission on Ministry to be a Candidate for Holy Orders. This is a huge step in the process!

Zion Church, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

Praise God! We have a church! Since Rob is in his Middler year, he does his field parish study at a local church, which means we can stop church-hopping and get plugged in somewhere! Yay! We loved Zion Church from the moment we first attended last year, and thankfully Rob was placed here for his field study. He will be mentored by the Rector, Fr. Thad Butcher, serve in various ways on Sun. morning, and help in any way needed throughout the year. This church is full of the Holy Spirit and growing. Fr. Thad is an awesome preacher; I really learn a lot from his sermons. He actually has a connection to South Carolina, too! His daughter is married to the Rev. Iain Boyd, Assistant Rector of Trinity Church Myrtle Beach. It just feels so good to attend a church that is similar to our home church, St. Michael's Charleston. Check out Zion's website if you get a chance: http://zionpoint.org/index.htm

I know I say this in every post, but it's true--Rob is busier than ever these days. His work in the chapel along with his schoolwork is exhausting. In the next week his chapel work includes a matriculation, ordination, convocation, and a graduation. And yes, he still has classes and schoolwork on top of being a part of organizing all of that. It's during these times that the "f-word" gets thrown around a lot here. No, not the one that immediately comes to mind. Rather, formation, formation, formation. Around here it's got the same reputation as that other word, but it is poignant and true to life here. Rob will be more than prepared to serve as a parish priest (Robert as a P.K. and I as a P.W.). I mean really, could it get any crazier?

Thank you for your prayers!

Study, Daddy, Study!!

Daddy is slowly but surely figuring out that it's not always either/or, it's sometimes both! You don't have to either be a daddy OR be a student, you can sometimes be both at the same time! This works until the baby wakes up and starts getting all wiggly. Somehow The Moral Vision of the New Testament doesn't make as much sense when holding a squirmy baby as it does when holding a sleeping baby! Thank God for grandmothers, though. "Nona" is here for a visit and ready to take Robert in any condition whatsoever!

School Has Started!

Rob heads off to his second day of school this morning. Yesterday went well, and he seems excited about the new semester. He is taking the following classes:

Old Testament 1
Greek 3
Hebrew 1
Systematic Theology
Parish Ministry 2
Ethics and Moral Theology

He also continues his positions as Chapel Scholar and as a member of the chapel work crew. As I mentioned before, all students are members of some kind of work crew (outside, library, classrooms, chapel, etc.), and most students have some sort of scholarship position (Chapel Scholar, Choir Scholar, Dish Scholar Library Scholar, etc.). These positions, along with class, chapel services, Bible study, and other meetings and such that seem to pop up, keep Rob very busy during the days. His study/reading time doesn't usually start until after supper. And now, Rob has also to find time to spend with his new son, not to mention his wife! Please keep Rob in your prayers as he prioritizes and works out his schedule.

Baby, Baby, Baby

For those of you who have been diligently checking this blog for updates, thank you! I'm posting to tell you that this summer has been all about baby, baby, baby. SO, at least until school starts and we have non-baby related news, check the baby blog for current news.