Call Day Memories

On Tuesday we'll fly to St. Louis for the vicarage call service. Adam and his classmates will all find out where they will be serving for the next year. For those non-lutherans..this is a sort of internship year when they will function in the pastor role...doing just about everything an ordained pastor would do. They have been able to give some preferences of where they'd like to go as far as area of the country , but they really won't know where they are going until it is announced at the service. You can feel the energy and excitement in the chapel as the seminary students and families assemble to hear their name and assignment announced.

It is really kind of strange to be reliving this from a Mom's perspective. You see....27 years ago, Bill and I were anxiously waiting to hear where we would spend the next year. My brother, also a second year sem student, was also going out on vicarage. My parents attended the service too. Now that I think about it.....they must have been quite anxious waiting to hear where their only two kids would be moving. Bill and I had some idea that we might be going to an inner city situation.....but ...hey....I was up for an adventure. How bad could it be? Ha....well.....can you say..."rats, and roaches, and slums...oh my!? That's another story for another day. As it turned out, we were assigned to inner city Baltimore, Maryland. My brother was assigned to a church in Colorado. A once close family was now going to be many miles apart. I know through the years people have said to my parents, " you must be very proud to have both of your children in the ministry?". I'm sure they are...but most people don't have any idea of the cost involved.

I get the same question in regard to Adam's choice to go into the pastoral ministry. And...I am incredibly proud of him. I'm excited for him as he moves on to fulfill God's purpose for his life...and it is SO obvious that this is what God has called him to. Wherever he ends up...I know it is God's plan and he will be blessed and be a blessing to others.Still.....the Mom in me is still praying that he will be closer than Colorado. Anyone know of any great frequent flyer mile plans ?;)