Greetings everyone! Ok, we know it has been a really long time since we have updated our blog, but we are doing it now! Well, things are going well for us here in southern MN and we are still getting used to our new life as ordained ministers. We have now been living in a house for four months now and we love it! It is so much better than apartment living.

Our days are busy keeping track of the activities at our four churches which make up The Prairie Land Lutheran Parish. Much has been accomplished in the last few months. We have established a new office, started a youth group, performed five weddings, six funerals and started a men's Bible study.

Helena is doing well, but she will need a heart catheterization in two weeks at the Minneapolis Children's Hospital. The heart cath will determine when her next surgery will be. More than likely the surgery will need to be done within the next month or two. About a month ago we discovered that Helena was quite anemic and so we have been working to increase her iron level.

Helena has recently discovered the joy and wonder of a television show called Sesame Street. Her face lights up whenever she sees Big Bird and she shouts, "Ba-Ba." Aaron has also been busily working to make Helena a U2 fan - so far so good!

Aaron has been busy fulfilling his childhood dreams. First, he joined the local fire department and has been taking firefighter classes. Aaron also joined the ambulance service in St. James and is on call two times each month. Last weekend he took an emergency driving class and learned how to operate the ambulance with lights and sirens! Mary likes to make fun of Aaron and is unsure if it is good that he is fulfilling so many childhood dreams at once!