Week of Sept 23-Sept. 30, 2007

This week was a busy one. At least the weekend was. During the week, Matt decided after much prayer to drop one class at the Seminary. It was too many hours, too much reading and not enough time for all the other commitments he has. He has many more responsibilites at the fieldwork church this year and the added vicarage meetings. So now he has one less class to read for,...yet he's still reading all the time.

On Monday night Matt led worship at The Lutheran Church of Webster Gardens. One of his professors gave Matt some great advise this week, "Jesus Christ already died for the church. We as future Pastors do not have to." In other words don't kill yourself with all the pressures etc. I think he liked hearing that.

On Thursday evening we had a visit by a seminary wife and her two children that we hadn't seen in awhile. Good friends and it was great fellowship. The husbands were too busy "studying"!!

On Friday night we drove one hour northwest of our house to a suburb called St. Peters, MO. There's a mega church there called Church on the Rock that was hosting a concert. We took the kids with us to go see Barlow Girl, Matthew West and Toby Mac. It was great fun,...LOUD!!! We did not stay till the end. We left at 9:40pm and got home at 10:30pm. (the girls had two soccer games the next morning!)

Saturday morning we headed out for Sara's soccer game at 8am. (ugh!) And Matt coached the kids. He was so cute out there with the little ones! And they won!!!

Then Elissa had a game at 10am. Matt coaches that team too. Got some great pictures. Remember when I said I was so proud that Matt didn't bring a book to the zoo,....well check out the picture attached today -- he's trying to read while playing soccer!!!

Saturday night Matt stayed in studying while I took the kids to movie night at our fieldwork church. They offer free hot dogs, popcorn, drinks and a movie to anyone who attends. They have a discussion on biblical views on the movie for the kids. It's really a lot of fun and a great outreach. The kids bring friends, and bring sleeping bags, blankets, pillows and lay all over the gym floor. We watched "Over the Hedge" this month. (they do this every month).

Today, we had to be at church by 8:30am to be presented to the congregation again. They introduced all the fieldworkers and their families today. We needed to be at both services for this. We met a lady and her husband who has a sister that lives in Schaumburg and has been attending our home congregation -- she knew all about us!! It's such a small world! Matt taught 8th grade confirmation and I sat in and watched. The girls attended Kingdom Quest upstairs. Tonight is my first night at my second part time job: doing set design at the Disney Store. I'm looking forward to that!

Praise be to God for you,...our friends and family, who are always encouraging us and lifting us up in prayer. Thank you!

This is the concert on Friday night! Over 6,000 in attendance,...it was sold out.

This is Matt, Elissa and Janet at the concert (Sara took the picture). I love Elissa's tshirt from Barlow Girl: "be a voice, not an echo"

Sara playing at her soccer game - KICK!

Here's Elissa playing soccer with her Dad. Notice the "Luther The Reformer - The Story of the Man and His Career" book in his right hand!

Week of Sept. 17 - Sept. 23, 2007

I can't believe it's time to write on here again. A week goes by fast doesn't it?!


The girls had the usual during the week - dance class, girl scouts, and soccer. Elissa made her first GOAL on Saturday - it was quite exciting!!! And Sara played very, very well also. We have to split up for their games - so I missed Elissa's goal! I hope she does another one when I'm there!


I worked three days and I also joined a gym this week. I have gained 20 lbs. since we moved here and I am determined to lose it! I joined a place where I can lift weights or do the aerobic machines. I went twice this week,....just have to keep it up! :) This morning I was asked to lead music for the Kingdom Quest Sunday School program. I showed up, got a mic on and was ready to go,...when I was asked to do two other things - short on volunteers?!! Can you believe it?! Does anyone else have this problem?!! ha-ha! So I was also in a skit playing two different female parts. I had to do a quick change and say a couple lines! It's always more fun when things are done last minute!!! I so enjoy leading the kids in song - what a gift from God to watch them grow in his faith through music.

Matt had a neat first time experience this week. Our fieldwork church has a "seeker" service on Friday nights for those 17 years in age - 27 years of age. It's called REACH 1727. They have a band, and have a message - but it's not really a "service". Matt got asked to help participate by giving the message for the evening. He really enjoyed this. He also taught confirmation again this morning.


This week was also the first of many "vicarage" meetings. (It's interesting how they want spouses to come, but don't supply babysitters,....yet for me to come I had to hire a babysitter and it cost us $30 to go to this meeting. The meeting was about living on a vicarage budget/pastor's budget etc. We just found that humerous.) The vicarage is the year in which we will spend "somewhere" (yet to be determined) as an internship. Then we return to St. Louis for one more last year of schooling before our call to a church. This meeting was a little intimidating and now my mind races about things out of my control and also a ways off. I really have to learn to really throw my worries on the Lord and trust in him. I know where we are sent is where he wants us. It's all just a little scary. Please pray for us and all the other Seminarians and families going through this same step - it is scary for all of us and we could use prayers!


Love and blessings to you!



This Wednesday the girls both had a half day and the four of us went to the St. Louis Zoo. Matt came along with us and didn't bring a book!!! (we were so proud!)

Week of Sept. 10 - Sept. 16, 2007

Well, the blog begins,....

This week began with going to small group last Sunday night. We joined a small group from our fieldwork church last year and are still with the same group. There were a few new people and we had lots of fun sharing stories and getting to know one another. Matt did a sermon at the local nursing home after church last Sunday, and taught 8th grade confirmation also.

Monday night the kids started dance classes at a new studio. I think they really liked it. Matt recieved some information on the upcoming Vicarage meetings this week too. Many meetings coming up - oh that reminds me I have to get a babysitter,...wives are expected to attend! I had Praise Band practice Tuesday and I sang today. I only sing every three weeks on rotation. What an awesome way to praise the Lord! (and fun!) I was asked to lead singing for the Kingdom Quest Sunday School next weekend - whew! It's always something! Matt is constantly reading - the Seminary is like a giant Book Club - read and discuss,...read and discuss. On Wednesday Matt and I went to Grant's Farm together ALONE! (the kids were in school) Wed. is the only day I don't work and Matt doesn't have class until 12:30pm - so we try to do something together! The weather has been beautiful - the hot weather is gone (for the moment). It's been in the 70's and 80's. It looks like we're getting the 90's again this week though - so it was short lived. Hurry up fall!!!!

Matt's classes are very intense this quarter and he struggles with the expectations of reading, papers and presentations. These coupled with his desire to still be a good father and husband - makes life difficult at times. He feels overwhelmed and also a bit of pressure,...he's gotten straight A's so far since starting - I think he needs to get a B or C,...to make him feel "normal". (ha-ha) He is teaching confirmation every Sunday morning for the next 4 weeks. And we just found out that in October he will be doing his first sermon at the fieldwork church.

I'm keeping busy - working 10-12 hours a week and volunteering at school. This week we went on a field trip to Lewis and Clark's Expedition Site and to the Lock and Dam in Alton, IL. (with Elissa's class) The girls began soccer this week too. Sara had a game - Elissa just had practice. Sara's team lost by one point! She was so cute out there! Matt is assistant coaching for both teams. (in his spare time) Blessings to you, our beloved friends and family - we love you!

Pictures of the week:

Sara playing at her soccer game yesterday.

This is Matt's 8th grade confirmation Class on Sunday mornings at Webster Gardens.

Sara & Elissa at their first night of Dance class this week.

This is Elissa's 4th grade class from Christ Community. This was taken on their field trip to the Locks and Dam in Alton, IL. Elissa is the first on the left in the back row.

Yeah! Our own Blog.

This is us when we began this process,...

Hello everyone!

We finally created a blog-site to keep everyone posted of what is happening in the life of the Peterson's while we are away at Concordia Seminary in Saint Louis, Missouri. Please check for updates as we will post new entries every Sunday night.

This will be a great way to communicate with our family and friends!

May God be glorified in all we say and do through his son Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. AMEN.