Chapter Two: Vicarage

Needless to say, the last couple of weeks have been flooded with activity! After three grueling weeks of packing up our home in Fort Wayne, we hauled half our belongings to storage and loaded the rest in a little red trailer for vicarage. Kevin and the boys navigated the truck and trailer while Erin followed in our little hatchback, which was packed door to door—saving only enough room for herself and our mini dachshund, Shelby. The boys beamed with a sense of adventure as we programmed Saint Joseph, Michigan into the truck’s GPS.

The two-hour move hardly seemed intimidating having previously traveled more than 800 miles from Fargo to begin seminary. Yet our patience was tested again...and again; first as we waited out a severe thunderstorm upon getting the trailer loaded; and again while delayed for nearly an hour due to a rolled semi trailer on the interstate just outside of Fort Wayne. Thankfully, despite the unexpected complications, we finally arrived with all bodies, tires and cardboard boxes intact at 915 Wolcott Avenue.

We approached our new home with both excitement and apprehension, knowing little more than the street address. After several rounds of arranging and rearranging, the four of us fit surprisingly well into this 850 square foot home. We’ve been welcomed very warmly by the members of Trinity Lutheran Church. Shortly after arriving, several people stopped by to unload the trailer, one pastor’s wife dropped by to say hello and later that evening the assistant pastor delivered some warm KFC for dinner!

After some very diligent unpacking the first 24 hours, we couldn’t resist a visit to the beach on our second day in this new city! The weather was beautiful and the boys—well probably all of us—were due for a break. Later that evening we were surprised to learn that a babysitter had been lined up for us the next morning! We didn’t hesitate to accept and we thoroughly enjoyed a drive around town, a walk on the pier and a delicious meal at an Asian Grill downtown. Later that afternoon, the assistant pastor also gave us a brief tour of the town and showed us some of the various beaches, parks and shopping venues.

In between outings, the unpacking continued fervently. And at the end of our first week, Kevin had to trade in his cargo shorts for a tie and begin his first day of work. We still had a few boxes lying around the house, but the greater challenge at home proved to be the adjustment of not having Kevin around again. Now four days later, we are finally starting to fall into our old rhythm again.

Sunday, July 17, Kevin was installed as vicar of Trinity Lutheran Church, under the supervision of Pastor Michael Roth. We were welcomed with a reception following both services on Sunday morning and treated to some grilling and a boat ride on Pastor Roth’s bay liner that afternoon. It was pretty amazing—according to the boat thermometer, the water in Lake Michigan was 77°F! Despite the persuasion of two of the pastor’s older kids and the principal’s two daughters, Caleb wasn’t ready to let go of the boat ladder for a swim in the 40’ deep great lake…this time.

Earlier this week, we unpacked the last box and we’re looking forward to making Saint Joseph feel like home. Kevin is preaching his first sermon to our new congregation on August 7 (the same sermon at both Sunday services and the Monday night service) and the boys will start school in just over a month (eek!). Let the excitement begin!