Out and About

Mommy and her baby

Leah with Cousins Hannah and Christian

Kelly

ALL DONE!

Yesterday I turned in my last paper and attended my last class. I'm all done! It's nice to be finished with seminary classes, although I'm sure I'll wish I paid more attention once I'm away from here. For now, life is good. Graduation is May 28. We're waiting to hear if the Orofino, Idaho parish wants to fly us out for an interview. Peace

No cowgirl jokes, please

Anne and her new nephew, Drew

Aunt Rachel and Kelly

News on First Call

I met with Bishop Martin Wells this morning and he's a great guy. Very personable. He wants to put my name in for consideration at a place called Orofino, ID. It's kind of in the middle of the state and is a 2 or 3 point parish shared with another pastor. The details are unclear at this time, but it sounds like a beautiful place. More info soon. We are very excited! Please pray for us.

Big News

We're having another baby! Due the end of November. 2006.

Visiting the Zoo

We all went to Como Zoo today. Here's some of what we saw:

Mommy, are the lions dead?

Practicing her own giraffe stance.

Riding the golden turtle.

New Member of the Family

Leah and Kelly have a new Cousin: Andrew Gerald Athmann was born on Saturday, April 15, 2006 to Anne's brother Ken, and his wife, Jen. Congratulations!!

Andrew Gerald Athmann

Baby Andrew gets a whiff of my armpit.

Interesting Link

This guy is crazier than I am...

Hot Wheels Fanatic

Leah's Birthday Party

Leah's 3rd birthday is April 2. Today we had a party for Leah at the Eagle's Nest, a local gathering place for youngsters.

Opening presents

Leah's friend, Soyung, and her parents Hyun Ah and Seok Hwan.

Cousin Christian

Leah and Ruth

Ruth

Leah and Soyung

Happy Birthday Leah!

Misc Pics

Kelly and Aunt Lisa

Uncle Tim, your hat is on...well...if you look in the....oh... never mind...

Having fun with Grandma Joyce

Having fun with Grandma Dorothy

Guaranteed not to stain

girls have cooties

Dancing

See no evil, hear no evil, say no evil

No New Info on First Call

As of last week, I've not heard anything about our new call in Eastern Washington/Idaho synod. In a way that's okay because I have school work to focus on. But I'd also like to know what's going on behind the scenes. The bishop had suggested flying me out for an interview with the synod staff, but that didn't materialize. At any rate, I will try to enjoy these last months of school and our life here. Things will change dramatically soon enough. I don't look forward to the process of moving, but I do hope we can throw some things out along the way to make the load lighter.

The Falling Man

Please read this article about the picture of the man falling upside down from the World Trade Center on 9/11. Caution: It contains a graphic picture that may not be suitable for all viewers.

The Falling Man

Snow

We got some today...and it was great!

Pics

Talkin' on the phone

Expressing the dancer within

The Park at MOA

Formerly, Camp Snoopy, we visited The Park at MOA today so Anne could do some mystery shopping. She couldn't tell me what she was doing because it was all a mystery. Anyway, Leah and Kelly and Mommy and Daddy got to ride some rides for free.

This one time, at Band Camp...

The Rev. Manz

Not me, The Rev. John Manz, Lutheran pastor in St. Paul, MN. I knew about him but finally met him on Friday. He led a seminar for senior seminary students that I attended. I introduced myself and he couldn't believe I was a Manz. He said he'd never met another one. He was interested in my background and where my family came from, etc. He is the son of the world famous Lutheran organist, Paul Manz, who lives in Minneapolis with his wife. Pr. Manz asked me to visit his church sometime and let him know I was coming so he could have his dad there to meet me! Pretty exciting stuff! I would love to have my parents meet him, too. Though I'd never met him, he seemed very much like a kindred spirit. He had a soft, calming voice and a very personable way about him. He was teaching a seminar on Prepare/Enrich, the tool used with engaged and married couples to strengthen their relationships. We must be related somehow with all that we have in common.

Eastern Washington/Idaho

This is the synod where we're going! We're excited, although sad to leave our loved ones and IKEA. I guess there's always the catalog. But, um, yea! We finally heard the news. Please keep us in your prayers as we gear up for a move out west. I'm hoping for Yakima, myself....God's Peace

Barney's Dead

Collage

To enlarge, please click on any picture.

Mexico

Hail to the Chef (Boyardee)

Leah and Daddy's friend, Paul.

Saying goodbye to the old house.

I can sit in a regular chair just like all the big people.

Leah and Daddy's friend, Bruce, (aka Greg from The Wiggles) at the Train Show.

Sailing the S.S. Feathersword.

Leah and Kelly's new 3rd or 4th cousin, Kate, born in Grand Forks recently. Congrats Paul and Julie!

SOLD!

We signed a purchase agreement last night for our house on Talisman Curve. We are very excited. The buyer is a single guy who we know little about. We got 6K less than we were asking, but obviously it was still enough. Deal should be done by April 3.

House For Sale

We finally have our house on the market in Roseville, MN. See this link:

Matthew and Anne's House

We are hoping for a quick sale, of course. Though it was hard, it was fun getting it ready for market. Any offers?

North by Northwest

We found out that we are going to the Pacific Northwest. That means Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon or Alaska! We're very excited to see what this new adventure brings. We are sad to be leaving family and friends. We feel very strongly about serving God where the church needs us. Apparently, it's out West. We find out on March 2 where we will be assigned more specifically within that region. I was excited when I saw Region 1 written on my letter inside my special envelope on Tuesday. It means going to live somewhere where neither of us have lived before. It means all kinds of new experiences. It means leaving the comfortable and familiar. It means truly following our calling. Thank You, God.

Mexico

Whale watching off the Pacific....and


Los Cabos...."the Capes"....on the southern tip of Baja California, Mexico. Anne and I were there for a week for a vacation recently. It was great! We did nothing upon nothing. We enjoyed the break as a pre-celebration of my finishing school and our five-year anniversary. The girls were fine without us but seemed glad to have us back. It was a much-needed break. It's back to reality now.

We are currently getting our house in Roseville ready to sell....we've been renting it out for the last couple of years and it needed some new paint, etc. We will be sad to see it go. We look forward to our next adventure, though, as we find out at the end of February what part of the U.S. we've been assigned to. Please keep us in your prayers. God Bless.

The Focus

The focus of our lives is reflected in how we live. If we live with concern for others and the greater good, it shows. If I claim to be a Christian, my life should reflect that fact. The greatest way to live is to be focused inside AND outside of yourself. To have the most complete sense of happiness and purpose, you cannot be only inwardly focused. This is certainly true for those of us who are Christians, it is also true for everyone else. It is who we are as God's Creation.

Approved, Part II

My synod approved me for ordination. I had to meet with them twice, but the second time was the charm. It was a good meeting. They quizzed me on my senior paper, my theology and my personal well-being. It was stressful but good. Mostly, I'm just glad it's done. Now on to assignment. On February 20th, the bishops get together and decide what region each graduate gets assigned to. From there, we are notified a few weeks later about synods within each region. I look forward to the adventure of ministry.