Like father, like son

The picture on the left was taken when I was about 2 years old and my dad was on vicarage in Woodbury, MN and we thought this would make for a “cute” picture (I put “cute” in parentheses because even though I’m a father with young children, it’s still un-manly of me to use that word without putting it in quotes). Actually, it seems fitting that on the eve of our return to Minnesota, Rome would be dressed the same as his father. You know, I’m not sure if it’s an indication of anything or not, but Rome sure looks a lot happier than I did when I had my picture taken. Perhaps the serious look on my face was my deep understanding for the significance of that moment. Or…maybe I was just bitter about my mop-top hairdo. Who knows. At any rate, my time at the Seminary is quickly drawing to a close. I’ve only got one major test left on Thursday then it’s graduation on Friday. The experience here at the seminary these past four years has been incredible…from the classroom with extremely gifted professors to the friends I’ve made to the ways I’ve grown in my Christian faith. God has indeed been good to us and we’re looking forward to all that He has in store for us in the weeks, months, and years ahead!

Our New Church

Buildings aren’t as exciting as people, but I found this picture of St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Bloomington where I’ll serve as Assistant Pastor starting in just a couple short months. As for the physical building itself, it’s very nice and I actually visited once for a technology conference when I was on vicarage in Minnesota. In fact, I told the youth director from my vicarage congregation “wouldn’t it be neat to serve here some day?” Amazing how the Lord works. Things are still going well here at home. Rome is finally back on a more regular napping schedule which makes life just a little less hectic. Kris and Jack are doing well and thankfully I’ve got a pretty light load to finish up classes so it’s not too bad. Graduation is only three weeks away and I’m scheduled to be ordained and installed on July 12th at St. Michael’s. We’ve already started looking at some houses online and I’ll probably be making a trip up in May with my dad to try to find something. Though in some ways it’s very overwhelming, this is a very exciting time for us and we can’t wait to get up to Bloomington. Please keep us in your prayers as we finish up school, look for a home, and make moving plans.

Happy Easter!

To borrow from Pastor Griffin’s (my Vicarage Supervisor) sermon, “what does the resurrection mean for us in terms of our everyday lives?” It means that Jesus is who he said he was…the Son of God. It means that because he has risen from the dead, so to shall we who believe in him. It means that any victory the devil, our sinful nature or the world may have over us is only temporary…for in his death and resurrection, Christ has defeated these enemies. Every day is a new life in Christ! What we have in him is eternal life and forgiveness of sins! Christ is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed! Alleluia!

The Big Easy

I just got back from a mission trip down to New Orleans to help with post-Katrina cleanup. It was a bit surprising to see that there’s still so much work to be done down there. But, considering the enormity of the damage, perhaps it’s not so surprising after all. It was an amazing experience that I know will have an impact on my life for many years to come. It really help put things into perspective. As you’ll see from the photos (though I didn’t snap many of the house we worked on) we were able to get a lot done…about 2/3 to 3/4 of the drywall was put up in about 3 days. We really lifted the spirits of the couple who own the home. However, I’m not sure if we helped them more or if they helped us more. Take a look at our photos page for more photos.

Merry Christmas!

We wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas & a blessed New Year! We pray for a safe journey for anyone traveling and hope you have a wonderful Christmas celebration. May you find comfort, peace, and joy knowing that on this day, Christ was born in the town of Bethlehem to become our redeemer from sin. May God bless you all this Christmas season and always!

Mary did you know that your baby boy would some day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you’ve delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy would give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when your kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.

Oh Mary, did you know?

The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb.

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven’s perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you’re holding is the great I AM!

“Mary Did you Know?” by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene © 1991

Merry Christmas Happy Advent

Okay, don’t get the wrong idea from the title of this post…I am NOT against Christmas (that should be pretty obvious considering the vocational path I am pursuing). It’s just that it’s technically not Christmas yet. It’s Advent. (Man, am I a theological nerd or what?) Even so, I decided to post some Christmas photos and our annual Christmas family newsletter. The photos can be seen on our photos page and the newsletter can be downloaded by clicking here. It’s in PDF format which means you’ll need a PDF reader (like the free Adobe Reader, which can be downloaded here) to view it. So, click on for your viewing and reading enjoyment!

Vicarage Information

We just found out where we’ll be headed for Vicarage next year: Trinity Lutheran Church in Janesville, MN. It’s about 20 min from Mankato, an hour from the Twin Cities, and about 3 hours from Sioux Falls, SD (our home turf). We give thanks to God that He’s blessed us with this wonderful opportunity to serve at such a warm and loving congregation. We’re very excited to get to know the people there and I look forward to serving with them in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

Christ is Risen!

He is risen, indeed! Alleluia! Though because of our sin we deserve punishment and death, God has had mercy on us and sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to become a man – to take our place. As 100% true man and 100% true God (a mystery we cannot understand), he lived a perfect life; He took our punishment upon himself – he took on our sin – he took our place on the cross – he was crucified, died, and buried…but he didn’t stay dead; death could not keep him bound. Today, on this glorious Easter Morning, we celebrate his resurrection when Christ conquered sin, death, and the devil to bring us new life. Jesus Christ – through his death and resurrection – has reconciled us to God and has given us forgiveness of sins and eternal life! Though we too will one day die, because of Christ, we also will be raised again. Thanks be to God! Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!

Baptism

Rome Alan Troester was baptized into God’s family today at 5pm at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Des Peres, MO. He was baptized by his grandpa, Rev. Jerome Alan Troester. His Godparents are Bernie & Karen Moore (Kris’ sister & brother-in-law) and Eric & Jen Estes (another couple from the Seminary). We praise & thank God that in the waters of baptism He has promised Rome the forgiveness of sins and life everlasting by connecting him to the death and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ!

I almost forgot…

I’m done with summer classes. Actually, I’ve been done for a little over a week now but I got so caught up in other stuff that I totally forgot to post this exciting news. I’m sorry to have kept you all hanging. Is anyone even reading this? Anyway, I learned a lot and now I’m officially “licensed” to preach. Too bad I don’t get to carry a cool badge or anything. We’ll be back in SD over Christmas break and I’m planning to preach on Christmas Day at our home church in Sioux Falls, Memorial Lutheran. Tickets are on sale now and the first 100 purchases will get a commemorative pin. Okay, not really – but you can keep the bulletin.