Summer ending; ready for year 2

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Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak. Ephesians 6:18-20


The above passage was just one piece of the scriptures in this weekend’s worship services at Spirit of Joy in Clarkdale. I led worship there Saturday and Sunday, and it was wonderful to reconnect with our friends there. It seems like every time I’m asked to preach, the texts call me to pray on praying itself. What is this strange practice that we’ve been taught by our Lord and Savior to not only do, but to persevere in doing? Does it feel a bit redundant when God already knows what is on our hearts? What does it mean to pray in the Spirit at all times?

Seems like I’m spending a lot of time in prayer lately: for friends, for the nation and world, While the Covid-19 pandemic still rages, Mike and I have been vaccinated. That has freed me to start working again, as I continue to work with people with mental illness. With the spike in numbers, our staff is returning to N95 masks for our shifts. Unfortunate, but necessary as our staff tries to stay well. Mike and I have come through one lean season, and this year we will be preparing for others to come (CPE, internship). The plan still is to move to Chicago in May 2022, following the end of my second year of classes, for clinical pastoral education, ministry in context, and a final year internship wherever the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago sends us. In retrospect, pandemic pressures made it not only necessary, but also possible to be surrounded by the community that knows us as we respond to God’s call to ministry. Thanks be to God for even the strangest ways God works!

And now for some over-the-top great news! Our son Michael is engaged. He popped the
question to lovely Erica on Friday (the 13th) and SHE SAID YES! Besides adding this


wonderful young lady to our family, Erica has two sons, Logan and Nathan. We are so happy for all of them as they keep growing into a new household. We’re kind of biased, but August really is the best month of the year, with our wedding anniversary (36 years on Aug. 10), and Michael’s 31st birthday (today) on Aug. 23.

My seminary classes begin on Sept. 7 (the day after Labor Day). I’m really excited to be taking my introduction to preaching class. I’m sure it will be embarrassing to look back on sermons preached before I knew anything! That being said, why, LSTC, why would you schedule introduction to preaching at 8 a.m. Monday morning??? That translates to 6 a.m. here for two months. Somehow, I’ve heard, with enough coffee, one can even learn something at 6 a.m. I certainly hope so, since three of my four classes are scheduled at 6 a.m., Monday, Tuesday and Thursday!

We are so grateful to various benefactors who have helped us with money for books, supplies and whatever we’ve needed through this time: Emmanuel’s endowment and a handful of personal donors who have been unbelievably generous have helped us weather this time of changes. You’ve seen us, known us, and appreciated the challenges now and ahead. Thanking all of you for what you’ve done: financial support, as well as words of encouragement and prayer. We love you so much.

Segueing back to prayer, like most of you, we are praying for a light at the end of the tunnel to Covid-19, for the people of Haiti, for Afghanistan, and for those continuing to be affected by wildfires. We are praying for teachers, staff, and students, especially those who are too young or cannot get the vaccine. We continue to pray for Gail’s seminary colleague Rachel and her fiancé Nathi, as the situation in eSwatini (formerly Swaziland in southern Africa) is dire, and Nathi’s visa still is unapproved. For seminarians Michelle and Pam with personal challenges. We pray for the families of seminary colleagues from Myanmar, whose country exists under oppressive military control.

For what concerns, questions, and joys can we be in prayer for you?

God’s peace,

Gail & Mike

 

 

 

 

 

 


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