Fall is here officially

It's a beautiful 70 something here in St. Louis and the sun is out,..the trees haven't started turning yet (that happens a lot later down here) -- but it's so nice. I love this time of year.

Matthew is in his last "fall" quarter of school. It is a tough one - 5 classes this time. He is more busy than he's been for quite awhile. He still preaches at our fieldwork church, teaches confirmation, helps with sunday school, does hospital visits, and preaches at the local nursing home,..and goes to class, reads, writes papers,..............ok - so do you get it yet? We really don't see a whole lot of him right now. I really do think I forgot what it was like - he had two months off this summer, he spent lots of time with us, ate meals with us,...etc. So, we're back in Seminary mode. I'm so glad this is our last year - not sure how much more I could take of his nose in a book 24/7 and feeling like I'm talking to myself! He does manage to spend a few minutes with the kids every day and I think we had a date like a month or so ago! ha-ha!!

The kids are enjoying school. They have uniforms this year! Mom loves them - Elissa does not,...Sara really likes them too. It makes for much easier mornings in our house! ("what do I wear,...?") Elissa is in a musical next month. She auditioned and made it in the teens dancing and singing chorus. She is also in one dance class and is taking guitar from a seminarian friend of ours. Sara is in soccer this fall, and she is in one dance class and I am teaching her piano.

I have started a part time job working for the kids school: Christ Community Lutheran School. I am working in the kitchen. This started as a volunteer position (lunch mom) and then blossomed into a three days a week job for me -- paid! So I was excited -- the Lord just led me into that one! And the extra money will be nice -- I will try to save it to use for our moving expenses at the end of the year! whew!!!

Zoe is fine -- she's happy no matter where she is - as long as she's with us. And the cats are great too. You know cats,...they just kind of hang around! :)

That's about it -- for our update. We get to go home to Schaumburg next weekend - our friends had a baby girl and are having her baptized that weekend. We're so glad to be able to go home for that! Our next trips to Schaumburg will include Thanksgiving and Christmas! We'll be staying with "grandma and grandpa".

Thanks to all of you who continue to pray for us. Blessings to you!!!

The Peterson's

Summer is almost over?!

Well, friends and family,...we just returned to St. Louis to complete Matthew's final year at the seminary. We were able to spend the entire month of July "away". Most of our time was spent in Schaumburg, Illinois. We participated in the National Children's Ministry Conference, matt preached one whole weekend (5 services in 3 days!-whew!), we drove to Green Bay to see friends, we helped with vbs at St. Peter and I sang three times at St. Peter with the Praise Band,....whew! What a vacation,....we needed to come to St. Louis to get a break!!!! ha-ha!

We have been putting the house back together since returning. Our friend from the seminary stayed at our house while we were gone,..he needed a place,...and we were happy to let him stay here. He moved out yesterday, though. So Matthew helped him move yesterday - all day. Today we were back in the swing of things again here - I got a last minute phone call to sing at church on Sunday and Matthew got asked to lead Sunday school too! (good thing we came back!) lol.

We've been to the pool every day since we got back -- even if it's only at night for an hour to relax! It's down the street and has a lazy river (my personal favorite). It's very, very hot down here. (i do love Schaumburg's weather!) It's sopposed to be heat index of 110 tomorrow,....I can't wait! :(

The girls have their home visits with their teachers this week. School for the girls begins on August 14th. Matthew is off until Sept. 8th, - although he has a paper due by August 22nd still.

Enjoy the following pictures. They are all from the conference which was held at St. Peter. Our whole family participated!

This is Elissa up front in front of 500+ people interviewing Vice President Bill Diekleman.

This is me and Beth (our new Vicar's wife). We helped serve lunch and wondered which pop was winning,......coke or pepsi?!

Here's Sara hanging out in the hallway with me during a sectional.

Here's Elissa being interviewed by Pastor Roger Theimer (from King of King's Omaha) He then did a skit with her - once again infront of 500+ people. She loved being in the spotlight. When asked if it was a good thing being a "PK",...she paused,.....and then answered it correctly!! :)

It was a long, long day. Sara fell asleep during the last Festive Gathering,.....such an angel.

So here it is,...summer time! Time is flying by at top speed. Matthew took summer school for the first session - and it ends this week! He is in finals tight now - he has 2 papers, a sermon and a test to take! He's a little frazzled - but as always the Lord always sees him through!

Our family used some birthday money and bought season passes to Six Flags in St. Louis and we've gone many, many times!! It's so fun! The girls are each getting braver and enjoying the family time we have there. We also joined a local swimming pool this summer and have been taking advantage of that almost every day! (I actually have a little of a tan going!)

Next week we leave for Schaumburg, our "home". We will be spending Matt's birthday with his family and our friends. We are also going to help at/attend the national children's ministry conference which will be held at our home congregation, help with vbs at our home congregation, visit friends in Green Bay,...attend the annual Luau at our home congregation,...house/dog sit in one of the parsonages while our Pastor is away on visiting family. It's going to be a packed month -- but what fun to be able to go "home" for that long!!! (since Matthew has two months off before the next quarter!)

We had the girls dance recitals this month and visitors from "home". We are so blessed by our family and friends both here in St. Louis, Schaumburg and many other places around the U.S.!!!

Thank you for your prayers - we love you!

Does anyone read this anymore?`

Oh my,...it's been like five months since I wrote on here. I have a feeling that no one checks this anymore - you have probably given up on us! I apologize. Life is so busy here in St. Louis and very exciting indeed. Matthew recieved a deferred vicarage and that means we get the opportunity to stay here and he finishes his classes first -- and then we go out on our vicarage/call. Less moves,.....less stress,........we are very happy. Thank you Lord for granting this awesome opportunity for us!!

We are all doing great. We've been a lot the last couple months for home congregation events and two weddings,..one of which all four of us was in! We are now here in St. Louis for awhile - but are looking forward to returning "home" this summer to see family and friends soon.

Love and hugs!!!!