Call Day was April 22nd. Now that it has been a few days since then, we have more information about Joshua's first call. Joshua has been called to Holy Cross Lutheran in Onaway, Michigan as the sole pastor. The town has a population of 900. The town is on the smaller side than we are used to. We spoke to the Chairman of the congregation on Thursday afternoon. From the conversation the congregation seems eager for our arrival. The church has a parsonage that we will be living in. It has 4 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, a newly renovated kitchen, a finished basement, and 2.5 car garage. The house is "in town" and 2 blocks away from the church. As more information comes we will pass it on. Right now we are just letting it all "soak in". Joshua still has a month left of classes, graduation (May 22nd), and ordination.
It has been a while since our last post. We have been busy preparing for Call Day.
Joshua has had four interviews. Stefani was fortunate to be a part of each one. Each congregation seems like they could be a good fit. The first interview we had was in January with Our Redeemer in Moorhead, MN. Moorhead is near Fargo, ND (the cities are like Kansas City, KS and MO). Our second interview was over the phone with St. Mark in Brunswick, OH. Brunswick is a suburb of Cleveland and about an hour from Joshua's hometown. The third interview was with Divine Shepherd in Omaha, NE. And the last interview was with Redeemer in Manitowoc, WI. The city is right on Lake Michigan. As you can see we have some great possibilities. The decision is in God's hands. We and everyone else will find out April 22nd.
Onto family news...Stefani's dad will be a having outpatient surgery on his heart on Friday April 3rd. He has a congenital heart issue that causes palpitations. This surgery should solve the problem. Please keep him in your prayers.
That is the update for now. Stay tuned for moving information when we receive it.
God's Blessings,
Joshua and Stefani
January has been a roller coaster ride for Team Ketelsen.
The month started out with a visit to Ohio. Which was very enjoyable. We had a great time visiting Joshua's family and attending a church service at Zion.
The day after we got back to St. Louis Joshua had his first interview with a congregation. The congregation is in Moorhead, MN. The head pastor and call team came to St. Louis to interview potential candidates. Unfortunately, Joshua was extremely ill during the interview. He was then sick for the next week.
We had a week of calm and then we were hit again with a challenge. Stefani's dad took a trip to the emergency room for a heart palpitation. He was able to get his heart rate down by himself. The doctor believes these episodes are caused by a congenital issue with his heart. It will require surgery to get it under control. Please keep him in your prayers.
The weekend brought more enjoyable events. Stefani had a Tupperware party. She officially feels like a suburban wife. We also went to a great dinner party at the home of our friends from the Seminary. It was a night of great food, great people, and a fun game.
Stefani came down with a cold that really knocked her out. Luckily, there were 2 snow days which offered Stefani some "free" down time. Just as Stefani was getting well, Joshua came down with a nasty virus. After a trip to an Urgent Care center, a day in bed, a sick day taken by Stefani to take care of Joshua, and frozen Powerade cubes he is on the road to recovery.
Between the sickness that plagued Team Ketelsen, Joshua had second interview with a congregation. This interview was over the phone with a congregation in Brunswick, OH. Please keep the Call process and those involved in your prayers.
As January comes to a close we are excited to see what the rest of the year holds for us.
God's Blessings,
Joshua and Stefani
Hello faithful readers! Team Ketelsen has been hard at work getting ready for Christmas. The house is coming together nicely.
We started off the season going to "Grandma Theabeau's Birthday Party". This phrasing freaks Joshua out. When my great-grandmother was alive we would celebrate her birthday every year in early December. The tradition has continued as a great excuse to get together. Here are a few pictures from the party.
This is Stefani's cousin Jen and her son Logan. She and her husband, Chris, are expecting their second son in April.
These fine ladies are Stefani's great aunts and grandmother. From left to right: Aunt Anne, Aunt Nancy, Aunt Teresa, Aunt Pat and Grandma Marrah.
And of course here is Stefani and Joshua looking adorable as usual. =P
We seem to be the hosts with the most this season. The Marrah parents are coming for Christmas Eve dinner, most of the Marrahs are coming over to celebrate on Decmeber 27th, and the following day Stefani's godmother, her family and the Marrah parents are stopping by for some holiday cheer. After all the hosting Team Ketelsen will be on the road to Ohio to visit the Ketelsen/Rost/Schmidt clan. It should be a great two weeks of time with family and friends! We will be sure to post pictures of all the events.
Speaking of pictures...We have a few of our humble tree and mantle decorations.
We borrowed the tree from Stefani's Grandma Gavisk. The white lights are courtesy of Joshua's Aunt Mary. 
Here is a close up of our tree skirt. 
A picture of our awesome mantle. Here is where we are displaying our nativity art collection. And yes, the white bust to the very right is Martin Luther. He has a festive bow on his head.
We hope you have a safe and wonderful Christmas!
God's Blessings,
Joshua and Stefani
Joshua after he received his Theological diploma.
Joshua with his favorite professor, Dr. Dost.
A view of the crowd getting ready to watch the ceremony.
The beginning of the processional. The guy in the corner is our landlord. 
Joshua in the processional.
All the graduates together for one last time before they spread through out the country.
Joshua waiting to get his hood., the fancy sash thing.
Joshua walking back from receiving his hood and diploma. 
Look at the happy graduate.
Joshua with his Masters of Divinity degree.
Stefani has been waiting to get this specific picture for 3 years. 
