I’m admittedly an idealist at times, something that tends to clash with what I refer to as my realism (not pessimism) about life. One of the ideals I had as we cast loose of our settled life to start traveling and sharing with partners around the country and waiting for deployment to happen was that… Continue reading Helping Out
Author: mrpaulnelson
I've been blogging for over twenty years on one platform or another, and my favorite topics are cross-sections of faith and culture and everyday life. I'm an ordained minister with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod - among other things. Welcome!
Reading Ramblings – October 17, 2021
Date: 21st Sunday after Pentecost – October 17, 2021 Texts: Ecclesiastes 5:10-20; Psalm 119:9-16; Hebrews 4:1-13(14-16); Mark 10:23-31 Context: A challenging group of readings in a culture where earning and buying is how we are taught to define our worth. In a culture where display of what we have accomplished (or what we want others… Continue reading Reading Ramblings – October 17, 2021
Book Review: Introducing Indonesia
Introducing Indonesia – 3rd edition, published by the American Women’s Association, 1975 This was a short and fascinating read. Short mostly because at least half the book is a phone directory of services and businesses in Indonesia – particularly the island of Java and the city of Jakarta – that might be of use to an… Continue reading Book Review: Introducing Indonesia
Virtually Settling
As mentioned a couple of weeks ago, we remain somewhat in limbo since the sale of our home and the uncertainty of when we will deploy overseas. The usual things that determine where you reside or more technically where you domicile don’t apply to us. We don’t own or rent a home, have utilities in… Continue reading Virtually Settling
Beginnings
It’s early morning here on the West Coast. The rest of my family is still sleeping soundly when my alarm goes off at 5:30am. I stumble about, getting dressed, making a cup of hot tea, fiddling with the settings on my phone and WhatsApp – the application I’ll be using shortly to do something I’ve… Continue reading Beginnings
In Faith Dependent, Anderson Island
When we seized the opportunity to spend some time in the Pacific Northwest we also hoped we’d have the opportunity to visit with some Lutheran congregations. Although that focus is slowing somewhat as we pivot in prayerful anticipation of our visas being issued, it’s still a joy to meet fellow Lutherans and brothers and sisters… Continue reading In Faith Dependent, Anderson Island
New (Temporary) Home
After 1500 miles, several days of travel and a brief ferry ride, we’ve arrived in our new, temporary home of Anderson Island, WA. We unexpectedly found a halfway reasonably priced furnished rental here since summer is over and the crush of tourists has passed. We decided after four months in the summer heat of Phoenix… Continue reading New (Temporary) Home
Grace, Henderson
This morning we were blessed to worship with the saints at Grace Lutheran Church in Henderson, Nevada. Henderson is a suburb of Las Vegas, just to the south and east and has experienced sustained and dramatic growth over the last 20 years or more. Rev. DiLiberto was gracious enough to allow me the privilege of… Continue reading Grace, Henderson
Book Review – A Brief History of Indonesia
A Brief History of Indonesia: Sultans, Spices & Tsunamis: The Incredible Story of Southeast Asia’s Largest Nation by Tim Hannigan How many colons are you allowed to have in a book title? I feel like Hannigan has exceeded his limit but, then again, he’s published a book and I haven’t. So I’ll just be quiet. This… Continue reading Book Review – A Brief History of Indonesia
Almost Done!
Today was very exciting. After an acceleration of our efforts to finalize our initial visa application for Taiwan, we confirmed via a Zoom call with Office of International Mission that we have all the necessary components for the application. Tomorrow, I go to the bank to get cashier’s checks for the application, and then we… Continue reading Almost Done!
