The Twelfth Day of Christmas
Monday, January 5, 2009
Dear Family and Friends,
My grandfather has a file folder full of every Christmas letter he’s written since 1961. It is fun to read them and remember the years gone by. 2008 has brought “blizzards” and blackouts, blunders and blessings. Following in the footsteps of Grandpa, this is my recap of the year…
As of this writing, I have finished three semesters at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. I am working toward becoming ordained as a Lutheran pastor, like my grandfather, and my wife, Anne. During the middle part of the week, I stay with my brother Scott near campus. On the weekends I am at home in Crestview, (Northern) Kentucky, just south of Cincinnati.
Anne and I have settled into our house. When we are both home, we enjoy the simple pleasures of cooking for each other, watching movies, and playing on our computers. This summer we attempted to plant a garden—I was quite proud of our harvest of 34 green beans. Anne had more success with her flowers, which beautified our landscape during the spring and summer.
Our house got a little more crowded in May, when we adopted a new cat from Anne’s Mom (who in turn had adopted Tacko from Anne’s brother). Tacko is the most affectionate cat in the world. (Any typos found in this letter can be blamed on Tacko, who is sitting on my laptop keyboard as I type.) Tacko enjoys eating my homework and other important papers, going outside to eat grass, and helping make the bed in the morning. Our other cat Josie, who has a more subdued personality, takes naps on the guest bed and talks to the birds outside.
During the first eight months of the year, I worked part-time at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Crestview Hills, Ky. In addition I spent the summer months working as a student chaplain at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in nearby Fort Thomas, Kentucky. I ministered to the nursing home patients who reside there, including one World War II veteran. During the last four months of 2008, I have been supply preaching at congregations in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. When I’m not preaching, I enjoy worshipping at Anne’s congregation, St. Luke Lutheran Church.
The biggest event of 2008 for Anne’s congregation was the move to the “new church.” St. Luke’s final worship service at 3917 Alexandria Pike was in February. During the seasons of Lent and Easter, worship services were held Sunday afternoons at a Baptist church. In May, the first services were held at St. Luke’s new home at 4800 Alexandria Pike. The new building has accessible restrooms, classrooms, a nursery, and an office for the pastor. Anne has ably and gently led the congregation the past four years, during times of anxiety and trust, times of tradition and change.
Anne and I are blessed to have our parents living within a two hour drive north (Tom) or south (Anne) of Cincinnati, but we wish our other family members were closer. We have been able to travel beyond the Commonwealth this year: to Minnesota for Spring Break (complete with snow) to visit Anne’s sister Karen and her family; to Ohio’s Amish Country for a week-long retreat for pastors; an overnight in Hocking Hills in celebration of our first anniversary; a trip to New England with Scott during Fall Break; and a short trip to North Carolina to visit Grandma and Grandpa after Christmas.
We wish you blessings as this Christmas season comes to an end, and as 2009 begins.
Tom and Anne Pairan
