Thanksgiving - Pete Style!

Thanksgiving is right around the corner…what do I have to thank God for??

·         Pazopanib!  This is the little pill that is doing amazing things to keep Shannon’s ovarian cancer at bay.  Over the past months her blood tumor count has dropped significantly and the tumor keeps shrinking!  It also has blessed her with a wonderful hairdo.    Thank you God!

·         Dr. Prema Peethambaram!  Shannon’s doctor has led her through nearly nine years of treatments with skill and compassion.  What a blessing to live so close to Mayo Clinic!  Thank you God!

·         Dover-Eyota Schools!  This school district has provided my son Ben with a great environment to gain wisdom and grow into a young man.  He has cross country and track coaches to challenge him, teachers to guide him, and a band director to inspire him (a shout out to Mr. Anderson!).  Thank you God!

·         Geeky friends!  Ben has surrounded himself with motivated guys who are proud to be called geeks!  Their engineering obsession serves them well.  Thank you God!

·         Peace Lutheran Church!  What a wonderful place to be a pastor.  I can’t think of many other congregations that are so open to listening to God’s call to the future.  Leaders step up to get things done.  Kids nearly overwhelm the service.  People enjoy getting together.  There is amazing energy around reaching outside the congregation to help people in need.  Thank you God!

·         Church buildings!  Sometimes I still marvel that I have an office to sit in…a worship space to walk into (and not set up weekly)…space to gather and linger.  This space has given Peace newfound visibility and a place to do great things.  Thank you God!

·         Turkey Trot!  How awesome that Peace could raise over $3000 to feed the hungry of southeastern Minnesota by doing what so many of us love to do: run!  Thank you God!

·         Running!  It’s been a wonderful year of getting in shape and putting in some miles.  I even won a couple races!  I never thought I would ever enjoy exercise so much.  It’s good for the body…the mind…and the spirit.  Thank you God!

·         South Sudanese Ministries!  I still have a hard time believing that the Southeastern Minnesota Synod is at the forefront of African Ministry in the ELCA.  In my role as Mission Director of the synod, I’ve gotten to know some wonderful leaders.  I even got to meet the vice-president of South Sudan!  As of right now there are six South Sudanese worshipping communities in southeastern Minnesota…but another one may be coming.  Thank you God!

·         Treefrog Treasures!  Shannon’s business continues to expand, causing her staff to grow to two amazing full time employees.  She even has a kiosk at Rosedale Mall!  Thank you God!

The list could go on and on.  God is good!