So, on top of the deployment/non-deployment of my sister; the other exciting/big/suprising news of our lives is the decision to move to Hastings, Nebraska. Steven has accepted a call to serve as pastor at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Hastings. www.lcgs-hastings.com
We have spent the better part of the year in conversation, prayer and relationship with them, in order to best determine what their needs are for a new leader; and our needs for the next congregation for Steven to serve.
We hope, with the help and guidance of God and the Holy Spirit, that LCGS is the place for us to be. The most difficult part was last week, as Steven prepared an eloquent letter to our current members, telling them of his decision and the work of the Holy Spirit which is guiding him in a new direction. I'm incredibly proud to say that he is my husband... it's been a delight to walk with him through this journey!
So, we will depart from Stanton County on September 22, after saying our adieus and bidding our friends and family farewell... The journey never ceases to amaze us... and although we're given a few of the directions to how it will lead us... trust and guidance is about all we can go on... there is not GPS created for the life of ministry in the church.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Shout Out to United Airlines
So, the quick summary is that my sister is no longer deploying to Iraq. Just 2 weeks shy of the deployment, the military had a change of plans...
Here's what we had already decided... we'd all fly into Philadelphia, I'd shoot up to NYC to see old roommates and then meet the family back at the airport when they all got in. As a family, we'd go to Cape May, New Jersey for a few days of R&R before Steph's depature. Hotels, flights, cars, everything was booked/reserved/paid for.
Sunday night, Steph calls to let us know we're not coming to see her; she's heading back to Warren AFB, Cheyenne, Wyoming. Ok.
I was booked on United Airlines. I called in last night to the reservations desk, asked to speak with a manager, and was politely given to Simon. I explained the deployment situation, asked if there is consideration for military order changes in their cancellation policy; politely asked if fees could be waived given the circumstance. He quickly said, "No Problem, Mrs. Peeler. Please use your original reservation number in the future. There will be no fees accessed, no penalty or rebooking fee. Your original flight cost will be put toward your future flight. Should the next flight have a different price, the difference will either be refunded to you; or you would need to pay the difference. You may have to show correspondance for this flight change; but it shouldn't be a problem."
HOLY COW... is this the same airline industry that daily is getting jabbed at/ridiculed/degraded and seems to have the worse press coverage in the history of consumerism? I quickly called my folks to see how they came out with their respective airlines (in which I will not mention by name, as their experience was not quite as quick, expedient, clean and helpful...) If nothing else ever matters again, and when fares are comparable, I will choose United Airlines. If nothing else, but for their respect of our service men and women who have chosen a career in which to save and protect us, and the airline system (HELLO!!!!).
Here's what we had already decided... we'd all fly into Philadelphia, I'd shoot up to NYC to see old roommates and then meet the family back at the airport when they all got in. As a family, we'd go to Cape May, New Jersey for a few days of R&R before Steph's depature. Hotels, flights, cars, everything was booked/reserved/paid for.
Sunday night, Steph calls to let us know we're not coming to see her; she's heading back to Warren AFB, Cheyenne, Wyoming. Ok.
I was booked on United Airlines. I called in last night to the reservations desk, asked to speak with a manager, and was politely given to Simon. I explained the deployment situation, asked if there is consideration for military order changes in their cancellation policy; politely asked if fees could be waived given the circumstance. He quickly said, "No Problem, Mrs. Peeler. Please use your original reservation number in the future. There will be no fees accessed, no penalty or rebooking fee. Your original flight cost will be put toward your future flight. Should the next flight have a different price, the difference will either be refunded to you; or you would need to pay the difference. You may have to show correspondance for this flight change; but it shouldn't be a problem."
HOLY COW... is this the same airline industry that daily is getting jabbed at/ridiculed/degraded and seems to have the worse press coverage in the history of consumerism? I quickly called my folks to see how they came out with their respective airlines (in which I will not mention by name, as their experience was not quite as quick, expedient, clean and helpful...) If nothing else ever matters again, and when fares are comparable, I will choose United Airlines. If nothing else, but for their respect of our service men and women who have chosen a career in which to save and protect us, and the airline system (HELLO!!!!).
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Tornados and Other Scary Weather
Last night... the night that we had tornados all over the Eastern part of Nebraska... and Western Iowa... according to our weather guy, Jim Flowers; he hasn't seen anything quite so active or deadly since 1988... and only then was it one large one in Gretna, killing 2 people.
As we watched, there were sightings and touch-downs of funnels in the Lincoln area through to Omaha metro and onto Iowa... the worst one, which killed 4 Boy Scouts at the Little Sioux Boy Scout Camp.
We have campers in Ashland again this week... and funnels were going through there again as well... Summer camp and tornados shouldn't go hand-in-hand.
We live in tornado alley. We know that... and it's what we take with the good...
Our prayers to Iowa... for the recession of their rivers and the healing to the families of the Scouts.
As we watched, there were sightings and touch-downs of funnels in the Lincoln area through to Omaha metro and onto Iowa... the worst one, which killed 4 Boy Scouts at the Little Sioux Boy Scout Camp.
We have campers in Ashland again this week... and funnels were going through there again as well... Summer camp and tornados shouldn't go hand-in-hand.
We live in tornado alley. We know that... and it's what we take with the good...
Our prayers to Iowa... for the recession of their rivers and the healing to the families of the Scouts.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Summer in Nebraska
I think summer has officially arrived... actually, maybe not quite yet... but the rain has come and gone; and returned again and again and again. I'm grateful we're not flooded, quite like my dear friends in Iowa; but the ground is beyond saturated, the fields are still holding water with no where to go... crops will be affected... no doubt about it.
But there is the flip-side... my family in Texas desparately needs rain. An equilibrium of sorts would be helpful... not likely, but it's always a nice idea! :)
The new pool is lovely to go to in the evenings, and the weather is just fabulous... we've had fantastic temperatures... very helpful considering our air conditioner is not up and working... needing a new motor. We pray they find one before the 'heat wave' arrives!
Weekend festivals are starting... that's always the signal that summer really has arrived...
But there is the flip-side... my family in Texas desparately needs rain. An equilibrium of sorts would be helpful... not likely, but it's always a nice idea! :)
The new pool is lovely to go to in the evenings, and the weather is just fabulous... we've had fantastic temperatures... very helpful considering our air conditioner is not up and working... needing a new motor. We pray they find one before the 'heat wave' arrives!
Weekend festivals are starting... that's always the signal that summer really has arrived...
Grandmother Update
Grandmother has returned to the hospital, after suffering a mild stroke last week. She is weak and the family plan is to take her to supervised care after she is released from the hospital.
Unfortunately, grandpa doesn't suspect that she will make it through the summer. Heart-wrenching, but none the less... reality of a 96-year-old.
Unfortunately, grandpa doesn't suspect that she will make it through the summer. Heart-wrenching, but none the less... reality of a 96-year-old.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Grandmother Update
I didn't realize that my last blog had been my grandmother's hospitalization.
I am happy to report that she did come home about a week later. They put a pace maker in her... yes, doctors rationalized a pacemaker for a 96 year old woman!
She's doing well... stubborn as ever and refuses to move out of her own home.
Uncles and aunts are rearranging schedules to figure out how to be at their house more, to help my grandfather take care of her.
So... it'll be a bit longer before I see my extended family...
Maybe by the time she does become grave, Steven adn I would have some exciting news to share... but until then...
I am happy to report that she did come home about a week later. They put a pace maker in her... yes, doctors rationalized a pacemaker for a 96 year old woman!
She's doing well... stubborn as ever and refuses to move out of her own home.
Uncles and aunts are rearranging schedules to figure out how to be at their house more, to help my grandfather take care of her.
So... it'll be a bit longer before I see my extended family...
Maybe by the time she does become grave, Steven adn I would have some exciting news to share... but until then...
Crazy Month of May
It's been a while since I've blogged... and the month of May seemed to have never ended with parties, Confirmations, Graduations and rain.
We confirmed 2 young ladies at St. Peter's; and 4 young ladies at St. Luke's, graduated off a few from Stanton High School and retired a teacher as well.
Somewhere in there, we also managed to get a quick trip to Hastings, to see my great-aunt and uncle... I've only seen them once in the last 3 years. Aunt Georgie is my mother's maternal aunt... my grandmother died in '93, so it's been interesting to see my aunt age... and see the family resemblances!!! My gosh!!!
Hastings is a fabulous and quaint midwestern city... population is 25,000 approximately. It has an adorable and thriving downtown with personality and specialty shops; and the Blue Moon coffee shop... a must for any idea of survival! But at the same time, Hastings is growing and boasts the chain stores of a super Wal-Mart, huge Menard's, and the chain stores that typically follow suit. It's located along the Platte River... mostly known for the migratory patterns of the cranes in late winter/early spring. One of these days, I'll see them... hundreds of thousands of cranes holding time along this shallow and wide river; waiting for the warmth to come to Canada, to go home. Fascinating!
Memorial Day weekend, we had the opportunity to attend the Memorial service at the cemetary... a first for me... and it was a bit windy and chilly; compared with the day before... of 80s. But it made an impact on me... as I considered the fact that my sister would be one of those soldiers in Iraq, so very soon.
After the ceremony, we took part in the ribbon cutting of the new Pilger Swimming Pool... a $750,000 undertaking... I commend the village for taking this on... not an easy one; but one that is a key piece in the chance of a future of the village.
And we'll finish the month out in Grand Island at our annual Nebraska Synod Assembly. What a priviledge that I get to spend my 34th birthday at a conference... surrounded by 1,000 of my closest friends... :)
Steven heads to camp on Sunday, to kick off the summer, with 10 young ladies... confirmands from both churches. Camp isn't his best gift or strength; but it's really one of those, 'once he's there, it's enjoyable.' and when all else fails, he finds himself in Lincoln at Barnes and Noble for a bit of introvert time.
We confirmed 2 young ladies at St. Peter's; and 4 young ladies at St. Luke's, graduated off a few from Stanton High School and retired a teacher as well.
Somewhere in there, we also managed to get a quick trip to Hastings, to see my great-aunt and uncle... I've only seen them once in the last 3 years. Aunt Georgie is my mother's maternal aunt... my grandmother died in '93, so it's been interesting to see my aunt age... and see the family resemblances!!! My gosh!!!
Hastings is a fabulous and quaint midwestern city... population is 25,000 approximately. It has an adorable and thriving downtown with personality and specialty shops; and the Blue Moon coffee shop... a must for any idea of survival! But at the same time, Hastings is growing and boasts the chain stores of a super Wal-Mart, huge Menard's, and the chain stores that typically follow suit. It's located along the Platte River... mostly known for the migratory patterns of the cranes in late winter/early spring. One of these days, I'll see them... hundreds of thousands of cranes holding time along this shallow and wide river; waiting for the warmth to come to Canada, to go home. Fascinating!
Memorial Day weekend, we had the opportunity to attend the Memorial service at the cemetary... a first for me... and it was a bit windy and chilly; compared with the day before... of 80s. But it made an impact on me... as I considered the fact that my sister would be one of those soldiers in Iraq, so very soon.
After the ceremony, we took part in the ribbon cutting of the new Pilger Swimming Pool... a $750,000 undertaking... I commend the village for taking this on... not an easy one; but one that is a key piece in the chance of a future of the village.
And we'll finish the month out in Grand Island at our annual Nebraska Synod Assembly. What a priviledge that I get to spend my 34th birthday at a conference... surrounded by 1,000 of my closest friends... :)
Steven heads to camp on Sunday, to kick off the summer, with 10 young ladies... confirmands from both churches. Camp isn't his best gift or strength; but it's really one of those, 'once he's there, it's enjoyable.' and when all else fails, he finds himself in Lincoln at Barnes and Noble for a bit of introvert time.
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