Team Ketelsen Official Jerseys

 The front of our official jersey.

The back of our official jersey

The song and inspiration for getting jerseys made....

Must of Done Something Right

by Relient K

We should get jerseys cause we make a good team
But yours would look better than mine, cause you're outta my league

And I know that it's so cliche to tell you that everyday
I spend with you is the new best day of my life
Everyone watching us just turns away with disgust
It's Jealously, they can see that we've got it going on

And I'm racking my brain for a new improved way
To let you know your more to me than what I know how to say
You're OK with the way this is going to be
This is going to be the best thing we've ever seen

If anyone can make me a better person you could
All I gotta say is I must've done something good
I came along one day and you rearranged my life
All I gotta say is I must've done something right
I must've done something right

Maybe I'm just lucky cause it's hard to believe
Believe that somebody like you'd end up with someone like me
And I know that it's so cliche to talk about you this way
But I'll push all my inhibitions aside
It's so very obvious to everyone watching us
That we have got something real good going on

And I'm racking my brain for a new improved way
To let you know your more to me than what I know how to say
You're OK with the way this is going to be
This is going to be the best thing we've ever seen

If anyone can make me a better person you could
All I gotta say is I must've done something good
I came along one day and you rearranged my life
All I gotta say is I must've done something right
I must've done something right 

God's Blessings,

Joshua and Stefani.....Team Ketelsen

Thanksgiving 2010

Our Thanksgiving plans changed about a week and a half before the holiday. After about 4 months of unemployment Stefani's dad got a job. With the new job came no time off. We decided to take the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving with Joshua's family for the first time. After many phone calls and discussions the plans were set. We loaded up the car and headed to Ohio on Thanksgiving day. Joshua's family from New York was to join us, so it was decided to have Thanksgiving dinner on Friday night to give everyone a chance to travel. The weather, however, decided not to cooperate and the folks from New York could not make the trip. 

We had a great dinner with all the trimmings. Joshua encouraged Stefani to share the tradition her grandpa's oyster stuffing with the Ketelsens. Stefani also made green bean casserole and gravy. Everything was delicious!

The trip was short, but we enjoyed visiting with everyone.

God's Blessings, 


Joshua and Stefani

Chosen Conference 2010

We took our Senior High Youth to the Chosen Conference. The conference took place in Gaylord. We stayed overnight at a hotel which cuts down on the stress of driving back and forth.
The theme of the conference was "Stand". It was about taking a stand for one's faith. The message was good and sparked conversations.

The stage.

Hawk Nelson performing.

During a retelling of the paralyzed man being lowered through the roof they had a guy being lowered on a stretcher. 


The kids had a great time and so did the adults!

God's Blessings,

Joshua and Stefani

November Trip to St. Louis

Stefani made the long trek to St. Louis during the beginning of November. She enjoyed the wonderful weather and the leaves still being on the trees. 
Stefani's first stop was to see her best friend, Carolyn. She had a rough month and needed long over due visit. 
Next up was visiting the folks at Andrews Academy. It was so much fun catching up with her former co-workers. She also got see how tall her second graders are getting! They are 4th graders now! My how time flies!! After Andrews, it was time to visit Stefani's Grandma Marrah. She recently had knee replacement surgery and was homebound. Stefani also got bonus visits with her cousins Katie, Cynthia, and Mandi.
Friday was spent with Stefani's parents. After an afternoon of shopping together they headed to dinner with one of Stefani's friends, Sarah, for a mini baby shower since we missed her original shower. We had fun catching up. We can't wait to meet baby Sheppard!
Saturday, Stefani ventured to the Concordia Publishing House tent sale. She found great deals on books and Bible study supplies for Joshua. It was definitely worth the drive from Northern Michigan. After scoring book deals, Stefani went to dinner with her best friend, Christine, and her daughter, Alyssa. They enjoyed having a girls night out.

Alyssa at our dinner out. She is growing up so fast!

Sunday was Salem Lutheran's annual Sausage Supper. Stefani decided to volunteer to help out and visit with the folks from her home congregation. When she was finished she bought 3 take out meals and headed to her grandparents' (Gavisk) house. They had a good food and good visit. 

On Stefani's last day she went to the Zoo with her best friend, Carolyn, and her son, Noah. The weather was perfect for a day outside. 

Noah looking at the tortoises. He is walking and talking now. I can't believe it!

The tortoises!

Stefani really enjoyed visiting with everyone and catching up. 


God's Blessings,


Joshua and Stefani

End of October Activites

The month of October is Pastor Appreciation Month. So far, every year, the church has a potluck to celebrate. We received all sorts of wonderful cards and gifts. It is great that everyone took the time to thank Joshua for all his work. The kids even painted "Pumpkins for Pastor".

Our decorative pumpkins all in a row...

If you follow Stefani on Facebook, you know that a Hobby Lobby opened in Gaylord. She and three ladies from church made a trip to enjoy its awesomeness. Stefani will be finding more excuses to go to Gaylord more often. Especially, since a Tim Hortons/Cold Stone Creamery also recently opened in Gaylord.


Stefani had her first 456er (the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade youth group) events that she and Kim, the co-director, headed this month. The first was more of a Bible study. We are going to focus on Genesis and move our way through an overview of the most popular accounts in the Bible. The second was an "Octoberfest" party. We had Root Beer and Bratwurst, played games, and painted pumpkins. Our turn out was low, but we had so much fun! At the suggestion of a youth volunteer at another church, we played "Minute to Win It" games. The one that got the biggest laugh was "Nose Dive". (Click on the words and it will take you to a description.)  After the party we headed to a Senior High Youth bonfire at Mary Kay and Don's house. We enjoyed hanging out with the Youth huddled around the fire eating pizza and making s'mores.  


We had a busy, but fun October!


God's Blessings,


Joshua and Stefani

Onaway Homecoming 2010

One of the things we have picked up at these conferences about youth ministry is to build relationships with the kids. One of the ways to do this is to attend their activities. 
We decided to attend the high school's homecoming football game. The Onaway Cardinals lost, but it was fun to see everyone. Afterward, we had an impromptu get together at church with a few of the high school youth. 

One of our girls was on the Homecoming court. It was not a good night for formal wear. Brrr.

We also attended the 7th and 8th grade football game the next night. One of our boys plays and one of our girls cheers for them. This game was much better than the high school game. Although the Cards lost, they put up a fight. The only touchdown scored was by the young man that attends our church.

 

Stefani and Marina, one of "our kids". Marina is all ready for the dance. 

Players and cheerleaders with their parents on the field.

It was a chilly weekend, but we enjoyed it.

God's Blessings,

Joshua and Stefani

Michigan District Pastors' Conference

Joshua and Stefani headed to Traverse City to the Grand Traverse Resort for the All Pastors’ Conference. The subject of the conference was “All Who Wander Are Not Lost…”. The focus was the gap in attendance of the college age and the early twenties demographic. There were two dynamic speakers. Rev. Tony Cook, who is currently a professor at Concordia Seminary St. Louis. Our second speaker was Ken Ham. He began the Answers in Genesis movement and started the Creation Museum. We heard so much useful information and are excited to apply what we have learned. 
The conference wasn't all business. We had some free time to shop and go out to eat. Of course we went to Target. We also went to our favorite restaurant in Traverse City, Mackinaw Brewing Company. 
It was also great to see people from other churches we have met over the year. Stefani enjoyed catching up the ladies at the the wives lunch. She can't wait to see them again at the Katie Conference.

The view from the glass elevator. You can see Grand Traverse Bay in the distance.

We stayed on the 11th floor. The wives lunch was on the 16th floor. 

 

Our room...the bed view.

Our room...the view from the door. Check out the fall colors through the window.
 

Who needs a phone by the potty?
 

The view from our room. This does not do the trees' colors justice. 

The conference room that we spent quite a bit of time in.

God's Blessings,


Joshua and Stefani