We
have had quite the year here in Northern Michigan. There is
never a dull moment in the ministry or our lives.
In
the Spring, Joshua had a bit of a health scare. He was taken
by ambulance to the hospital with extreme dizziness, a severe
headache, tingling in his hands, and difficulty speaking. The
emergency room had several theories about what was causing Joshua's
symptoms, but his general practitioner concluded that it was a severe
migraine caused by high-blood pressure and stress. He was put on
blood pressure medication and a strict low sodium diet. He had a
check up in November and the doctor is pleased with how the diet and
medication are working.
Joshua
completed his second year of ministry at Holy Cross and has settled
into a nice routine. He proudly confirmed his first confirmation
class in July, a group of seven teenagers. He also had six baptisms
this past year that, surprisingly, consisted of more adults than
infants. Joshua has built friendships with several pastors in the
Onaway area and in his regional circuit, and looks forward to the
regular camaraderie of his Onaway Ministerial Association meetings,
circuit meetings, and district conferences.
Stefani
has been busy working with Holy Cross' preschool. She currently sits
on the recently created school board. The preschool also hired her
part-time to take care of various paperwork and administrative
issues. She has really enjoyed learning more about the administrative
aspect of running a school. Stefani also keeps busy leading the
456ers (the 4th-6th grade youth group), hanging out with the
Junior/Senior High kids, and volunteering in various other
capacities.
This
summer we went on two major trips with the youth group. In June, we
took ten high school students to the Michigan District Senior High
Youth Gathering on Mackinac Island. We heard some great music,
speakers, and participated in a servant event helping clean a church
in St. Ignace. In August, we headed to the campus of Concordia
University Ann Arbor for the Michigan District Junior High Youth
Gathering. We took nine junior high kids. Again, we heard some great
bands, speakers, and participated in a servant event helping the
Detroit Rescue Mission. It never gets old seeing so many teens
worship together and serve others.
The
summer was full of visitors at the “Ketelsen Inn”. Joshua's
mother and sister, Sarah, came to experience an Onaway 4th
of July. In August, Stefani's parents took their vacation “Up
North”. We were all able to explore parts of the Upper Peninsula of
Michigan that we had never visited before, including the Great Lakes
Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point, Tahquamenon Falls, and the Soo
Locks. September brought Joshua's aunt and uncle from Iowa and
Stefani's Grandma and Grandpa Marrah. We always enjoy exploring
Michigan with our guests, regardless of whether it is our old
favorites or experiencing something new.
We
want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!
God's
Blessings,
Joshua
and Stefani
P.S.
To keep up with us all year round check out our blog
http://teamketelsen.blogspot.com. And to read some of the yummy
low-sodium recipes we have come up with, check out Stefani's cooking
blog at http://ketelsenkitchen.blogspot.com.
