Belonging Under God's Care and Call

Throughout this decision and transition, I have prayed over my parents, Faith Lutheran, and Trinity Hudson. As I prayed, God kept directing me to a word: “Blessing.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer defined blessing as, "laying one's hands on something and saying, 'Despite everything, you belong to God.'"

9 years ago, a distraught, frightened, angry, and lonely 15 year-old moved to Kansas with her family and began her life in a new place. Our first year here, Dad dropped us off at school every morning and as he rolled up to the curb of the school, he would say, "Be a blessing." In a time of loneliness, change, growth, and what felt like the "end of the world" to my 15 year-old self, Dad reminded his daughter of the Christian calling - to be a blessing. Despite everything, I belonged to God. Despite everything, Dad reminded us to lay our hands on our loneliness, homesickness, and worry and claim the day as belonging to God's care and call.

9 years later, our family now grieves over leaving a congregation that has become a home. We rejoice in our time and our friendships here at Faith Lutheran. We are honored and grateful to have followed God’s call and serve the people of Faith Lutheran Church. 

Faith Lutheran Church - You are a blessing. You have cared and loved for my family well. You serve the community around you and participate in the global church. You graciously and generously supported our family's trip to Guinea - a life-changing experience for myself, my family, and I believe the congregation. You are a talented, spirited, creative, loving, and welcoming congregation. You are a blessing. Continue to be a blessing to each other, Pastor Jake, Pastor Martin, Heather, and the fortunate family that gets to be loved by you. Be a blessing to Topeka, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and wherever else you go. Continue to be a blessing.

Mom - Your faith and confidence in God's plan in your everyday living and in the future continues to inspire me. You have blessed me with your strength and unwary faith in times of trial. I pray to grow in the same bold faith you demonstrate every single day. You have blessed our family with your patience, love, and firm faith. You have blessed Faith Lutheran with your kindness, musical talents, and stewardship. You have blessed Topeka with your friendliness, creativity, joy, and warmth. I confidently believe you will be a blessing in Hudson. Continue to bless others with your faith, heart, and spirit.

Dad – I know it was painful to uproot your family and begin a new life in Kansas. But you heard God’s call and faithfully followed it. And here you are, following His call again amidst the pain of leaving another home and another congregation – places of abundant blessing. You have blessed Faith Lutheran with your humility, friendship, creativity, leadership, counseling, teaching, praying, and preaching. You have blessed my life with constant redirection to the Cross during times of trial and triumph. I couldn’t ask for a more knowledgeable and faithful pastor. I couldn’t ask for a more loving father. 

As you and mom, start a new life together in Hudson, WI, you will be blessed in new ways by new people and God will lead you to discover new ways of blessing others. Mom and Dad - despite everything, you belong to God. Despite everything, you will be blessed. Despite everything, you will be a blessing. God is calling you. Go in faith and joy. Be a blessing.