Yes, I think I am ready for a sabbatical or at least summer vacation.
I went to a track meet tonight and saw some of the most impressive running I have ever seen. Pure joy, pure beauty, pure smoke!
Jacob received an academic award for Algebra II and scored in the top 4 for the district, Julian recieved a blue ribbon for his saxaphone solo and Jackie received "All Year Terrific Kid" award. Judah is receiving the award of "surviving my mom as my teacher!" : )
-Jenny
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Yes, Redeemer is having a Sabbatical Too!!!
Last night we had dinner with Stephanie and Foster Pilcher. We made our own pizzas and shared stories of trips we have taken. Each of our kids shared what they were looking forward to or dreading on our sabbatical...
Stephanie and Foster were both members of our sabbatical planning team. Foster will be giving our Redeemer Congregation updates during our sabbatical and reminding Redeemer of the sabbatical they (you) will take along side of us - the Dorsey Family.
Sabbatical to the church.
Redeemer's Sabbatical will explore three themes:
1. Identity,
2. Family Renewal, and
3. Urban calling.
1. Identity:
One of the ways we'll explore the theme Identity is by walking through the book of Nehemiah during the summer sermon series and looking at who God has called us to be? Who are we as God's Sons and Daughters? and what is our calling?
2. Family Renewal:
The Sabbatical committee sees part of this Sabbatical as Family Renewal for Redeemer. This is a time to get to know one another's stories as we practice seeing God at work in us and among us.
In community groups we'll be answering questions such as, "How have I seen God moving and working in Redeemer? in the city?"
This summer each of you will be given the opportunity to tell your story through some tangible creative expression whether it's a photo, painting, poem, or written story.
3. Urban Calling:
Our journey to explore our Urban calling will take place through trips and as individuals.
Several trips will take place this summer to Kenya, Huntsville, AL
and Encounter with Indy. Each one will look at what God is doing in these urban areas.
As individuals we'll have opportunity to reflect and have conversations with the question, "How does God want me to be, 'in the city and for the city'?"
CONCLUSION: Worship
We hope that this Sabbatical will lead us to a place of Worship. As we look at our identity as sons and daugthers and step into our callings may it bring us to Worship. As we hear one another's stories and see God at work in us and among us may it lead us to a deeper place of Worship and as God answers the question in our hearts about what it means to be in the city and for the city, may our obedience flow from our Worship.
More details from Foster to follow...
Stephanie and Foster were both members of our sabbatical planning team. Foster will be giving our Redeemer Congregation updates during our sabbatical and reminding Redeemer of the sabbatical they (you) will take along side of us - the Dorsey Family.
Sabbatical to the church.
Redeemer's Sabbatical will explore three themes:
1. Identity,
2. Family Renewal, and
3. Urban calling.
1. Identity:
One of the ways we'll explore the theme Identity is by walking through the book of Nehemiah during the summer sermon series and looking at who God has called us to be? Who are we as God's Sons and Daughters? and what is our calling?
2. Family Renewal:
The Sabbatical committee sees part of this Sabbatical as Family Renewal for Redeemer. This is a time to get to know one another's stories as we practice seeing God at work in us and among us.
In community groups we'll be answering questions such as, "How have I seen God moving and working in Redeemer? in the city?"
This summer each of you will be given the opportunity to tell your story through some tangible creative expression whether it's a photo, painting, poem, or written story.
3. Urban Calling:
Our journey to explore our Urban calling will take place through trips and as individuals.
Several trips will take place this summer to Kenya, Huntsville, AL
and Encounter with Indy. Each one will look at what God is doing in these urban areas.
As individuals we'll have opportunity to reflect and have conversations with the question, "How does God want me to be, 'in the city and for the city'?"
CONCLUSION: Worship
We hope that this Sabbatical will lead us to a place of Worship. As we look at our identity as sons and daugthers and step into our callings may it bring us to Worship. As we hear one another's stories and see God at work in us and among us may it lead us to a deeper place of Worship and as God answers the question in our hearts about what it means to be in the city and for the city, may our obedience flow from our Worship.
More details from Foster to follow...
Spiritual Heroes
There are many men who have been spiritual fathers and heroes to me over the years.
One living spiritual father/hero of mine is Otto Sather, the Norwegian pastor, who has prayed for me since I was born, who gave me my first job as "youth pastor" at Sammish Island Memorial Chapel (where, at age 18, I preached my first sermon). Otto is an example to me of faithfulness to God. Over his sixty years of ministry, he has been the pastor of two congregations (the first in Plain, WA; the second on Sammish Island).
Another spiritual father/hero is Dr. Miller. Dr. Miller was the professor of theology at Western Baptist College (now Corban College, Salem, OR) which I attended from 1987-1991. Dr. Miller was everyone's favorite professor. He made the Bible and theological truth come alive. I became best friends with his son Scott (we played on the same baseball team in college). It was Dr. Miller who introduced me to the doctrines of Grace and has been, for me, a living model of a grace-centered life. Dr. Miller and his wife, Koyce, took me in as an adopted son and have remained in my life over the years.
In seminary, Dr. Harold OJ Brown was a spiritual father/hero. Not only was he a world class scholar, and not only did he give me a deep and rich appreciation for unitive Christian orthodoxy, but he took time with his students, developing relationships. He took us skiing and rock climbing. His life demonstrated the "hilaritas" - joy and laughter - that are part of the life of grace. Dr. Brown passed away a number of years ago, but his memory lives on in his students lives.
Another spiritual father/hero was Peter Deyneka, Jr. Peter, and his wife Anita, were old family friends. They were also world-class leaders of missions to the Slavic people: first with the Slavic Gospel Association and then with Peter Deyneka Russian Ministries. But, in spite of their significant roles, Peter and Anita took me in to their lives and family (I lived with them in Wheaton, IL and Moscow, Russia). And they gave me a model for partnership in the work of God's kingdom. Peter has passed away; I'm currently honored to serve on the board of Russian Ministries and contribute in some small way to their ministry to Russia.
Another spiritual father/hero was Rev. Jack Davidson who pastored Cascade Presbyterian in Eugene, Oregon. It was under Jack's preaching that I began to see that the gospel is not just the way you begin the Christian life but they way you grow as a Christian. Jack's preaching pounded the gospel into our heads and hearts... After two years of this pounding I came to realize that to be a Christian was to "glory in Jesus and place no confidence in the flesh."
All of these men - and others - have had a huge impact in my life.
One aspect of my sabbatical is to take some time to reflect on the life and urban calling of a few of my other heroes: the baptist preacher Charles Spurgeon, the political leader William Wilberforce, The Scottish Presbyterian Thomas Chalmers, the professor and writer C.S. Lewis, and the Welsh Preacher Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.
I hope to reflect on their lives and ministries in future posts. But today I wanted to pay tribute to the other spiritual fathers/heroes who have had an impact on my life.
- Jason
One living spiritual father/hero of mine is Otto Sather, the Norwegian pastor, who has prayed for me since I was born, who gave me my first job as "youth pastor" at Sammish Island Memorial Chapel (where, at age 18, I preached my first sermon). Otto is an example to me of faithfulness to God. Over his sixty years of ministry, he has been the pastor of two congregations (the first in Plain, WA; the second on Sammish Island).
Another spiritual father/hero is Dr. Miller. Dr. Miller was the professor of theology at Western Baptist College (now Corban College, Salem, OR) which I attended from 1987-1991. Dr. Miller was everyone's favorite professor. He made the Bible and theological truth come alive. I became best friends with his son Scott (we played on the same baseball team in college). It was Dr. Miller who introduced me to the doctrines of Grace and has been, for me, a living model of a grace-centered life. Dr. Miller and his wife, Koyce, took me in as an adopted son and have remained in my life over the years.
In seminary, Dr. Harold OJ Brown was a spiritual father/hero. Not only was he a world class scholar, and not only did he give me a deep and rich appreciation for unitive Christian orthodoxy, but he took time with his students, developing relationships. He took us skiing and rock climbing. His life demonstrated the "hilaritas" - joy and laughter - that are part of the life of grace. Dr. Brown passed away a number of years ago, but his memory lives on in his students lives.
Another spiritual father/hero was Peter Deyneka, Jr. Peter, and his wife Anita, were old family friends. They were also world-class leaders of missions to the Slavic people: first with the Slavic Gospel Association and then with Peter Deyneka Russian Ministries. But, in spite of their significant roles, Peter and Anita took me in to their lives and family (I lived with them in Wheaton, IL and Moscow, Russia). And they gave me a model for partnership in the work of God's kingdom. Peter has passed away; I'm currently honored to serve on the board of Russian Ministries and contribute in some small way to their ministry to Russia.
Another spiritual father/hero was Rev. Jack Davidson who pastored Cascade Presbyterian in Eugene, Oregon. It was under Jack's preaching that I began to see that the gospel is not just the way you begin the Christian life but they way you grow as a Christian. Jack's preaching pounded the gospel into our heads and hearts... After two years of this pounding I came to realize that to be a Christian was to "glory in Jesus and place no confidence in the flesh."
All of these men - and others - have had a huge impact in my life.
One aspect of my sabbatical is to take some time to reflect on the life and urban calling of a few of my other heroes: the baptist preacher Charles Spurgeon, the political leader William Wilberforce, The Scottish Presbyterian Thomas Chalmers, the professor and writer C.S. Lewis, and the Welsh Preacher Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.
I hope to reflect on their lives and ministries in future posts. But today I wanted to pay tribute to the other spiritual fathers/heroes who have had an impact on my life.
- Jason
I'm Taking Dad Fishing on the Campbell River!
I'm taking my Dad - who took me salmon fishing on Camano Island, who taught me how to tie a salmon line and fasten a herring to my hooks and keep my pole tip up when I had a salmon on my line...who taught me to love early mornings on the sound, the smell of salt and spray and the cry of gulls - on a two day salmon fishing trip at world famous Port Campbell River on Vancouver Island.
We'll spend two days fishing...being together. It's just a small way for me to say "thanks" and "I love you."
- Jason
We'll spend two days fishing...being together. It's just a small way for me to say "thanks" and "I love you."
- Jason
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Prayer...
Barb was a member of our sabbatical team and wrote this prayer for us. Please pray for us now while we are leading up to our trip as well as remembering us during our sabbatical time.
I pray that God gives you precious times with him in many places, times that are unique to that place you are visiting, so that you come home refreshed spiritually as well as in other ways. May he send people to you that truly minister to your heart as well, bringing refreshment, renewal, growth, and healing that are also gifts from each place you go. And may he also give you peace of mind and may he oversee the details and logistics and provide for you, so that you can enjoy rest.
--Barb
I pray that God gives you precious times with him in many places, times that are unique to that place you are visiting, so that you come home refreshed spiritually as well as in other ways. May he send people to you that truly minister to your heart as well, bringing refreshment, renewal, growth, and healing that are also gifts from each place you go. And may he also give you peace of mind and may he oversee the details and logistics and provide for you, so that you can enjoy rest.
--Barb
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Walking Shoes and Fishing Buddy
I visited Stouts shoe store in Indy this morning. Stouts claims to be the "oldest shoe store in the U.S.A." La Donna, a friend from Redeemer, was working there. I bought a pair of multi-purpose walking shoes/sandals...they had to be stylish enough for a fancy dinner in London and durable enough to make the grueling 14 mile coastline hike from St. Johns to St. Ives (western tip of England). It feels good to check this off my "to do" list.
Another highlight of the trip...last month in Miami I met a fellow PCA pastor, Shane Sunn, who, it turns out spends, his summer vacation fishing at the Cluxewe resort, Vancouver, BC. This July he is bringing a boat all the way from his home in Colorado. Shane, his wife Jean, and children will be at the Cluxewe resort the same time we will be!
-- Jason
Another highlight of the trip...last month in Miami I met a fellow PCA pastor, Shane Sunn, who, it turns out spends, his summer vacation fishing at the Cluxewe resort, Vancouver, BC. This July he is bringing a boat all the way from his home in Colorado. Shane, his wife Jean, and children will be at the Cluxewe resort the same time we will be!
-- Jason
Keens...
Jason and I both bought Keens today...I feel like I am wearing pillows on my feet!
Looks like we will only take one pair of shoes. The Keens we bought can be worn with or without socks and can be washed as well!
We also started a trial run on packing our back packs. I thought I was packing light and was a little discouraged to note that I would still like to carry even less. I am beginning to feel a freedom from my possessions and don't want to lug anything around with me that will be tedious.
-Jenny
Looks like we will only take one pair of shoes. The Keens we bought can be worn with or without socks and can be washed as well!
We also started a trial run on packing our back packs. I thought I was packing light and was a little discouraged to note that I would still like to carry even less. I am beginning to feel a freedom from my possessions and don't want to lug anything around with me that will be tedious.
-Jenny
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Family Pets
Today I purchased 50 lbs rabbit food and 3 cases of canned dog food (72 cans in all). I know, our dog is spoiled...but she can't eat dry dog food due to her 14 year old teeth!
Our lizard will have to have its supply of crickets purchased fresh every couple of weeks as I can't seem to figure out how to store them that long and keep them alive!
-Jenny
Our lizard will have to have its supply of crickets purchased fresh every couple of weeks as I can't seem to figure out how to store them that long and keep them alive!
-Jenny
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Tears...
During the last song of our worship service today, my eyes filled up with tears thinking about not being at Redeemer for 12 weeks. That's a long time to be away from my community, spiritual family, and the worship of God.
My body and mind will be at rest but what about my spirit? Redeemer is not just a job, not just a church - it's a place where I encounter the living God, walk in community and am fully known.
I will miss you and have to trust that God will meet me each Sunday and fill my heart with his presence.
-Jenny
My body and mind will be at rest but what about my spirit? Redeemer is not just a job, not just a church - it's a place where I encounter the living God, walk in community and am fully known.
I will miss you and have to trust that God will meet me each Sunday and fill my heart with his presence.
-Jenny
Saturday, April 17, 2010
36 Days till Sabbatical...
I had my first sabbatical nightmare...dreamed I was trying to catch the train (which looked more like a roller coaster ride) and I had a bunch of handbags which held all our clothes - which kept falling out...the place we purchased our ticket was not the same location where we caught the train. The sign telling us where to park our car was pointing the wrong direction but we were able to run fast enough and caught the train, in the nick of time and some how, all our clothes, which were falling out - landed in our lap, as we buckled up, as the train took off!
Phew!! It was only a dream...
-Jenny
Phew!! It was only a dream...
-Jenny
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Backpacks
Last week I stopped by Goodwill on a haunch I might get a good deal on a back pack. Jason needed one to carry his Baseball gear in while he rides his bike to practice.
Sometimes I give him a ride...which we get quite a laugh from every time I drop him off. I drive up to the school gate and have to check in with the guard. He asks my business and I say, "I'm dropping off the baseball coach!" Same goes for when I pick him up after practice...right along side of all the other kids waiting for their parents to pick them up!) Did I say we are a one car family right now?! And actually, Jason doesn't mind getting extra time to goof off with the kids!
Sure enough, I found a brand new backpack for Jason ($2.99). Turns out it will be perfect for our trip. So, this week I thought I might try again and found a brand new back pack for myself! It has great shoulder and lower back padding. Cost $2.99.
We have gone back and forth between real hiking backpacks to Rick Steve's travel suitcase/backpacks. At the end of the day, I don't care how nice the pack is, I just don't want to be lugging a giant pack on my back!
I'll probably post a packing list for all of you who are curious on how little we will actually take. : )
-Jenny
Sometimes I give him a ride...which we get quite a laugh from every time I drop him off. I drive up to the school gate and have to check in with the guard. He asks my business and I say, "I'm dropping off the baseball coach!" Same goes for when I pick him up after practice...right along side of all the other kids waiting for their parents to pick them up!) Did I say we are a one car family right now?! And actually, Jason doesn't mind getting extra time to goof off with the kids!
Sure enough, I found a brand new backpack for Jason ($2.99). Turns out it will be perfect for our trip. So, this week I thought I might try again and found a brand new back pack for myself! It has great shoulder and lower back padding. Cost $2.99.
We have gone back and forth between real hiking backpacks to Rick Steve's travel suitcase/backpacks. At the end of the day, I don't care how nice the pack is, I just don't want to be lugging a giant pack on my back!
I'll probably post a packing list for all of you who are curious on how little we will actually take. : )
-Jenny
Monday, April 12, 2010
Follow up with Teachers
Today I checked in with Tech, Attucks and School #14 to let them know we will be taking the kids out two days early. No problems so far and finals are all scheduled to end on May 20th, Thursday. There is no school on Friday, as it is a snow make up day, which only leaves May 24, Monday and May 25th, Tuesday!
Judah is plowing through home schooling and our goal is to get through our text books by May 1st. We are planning on a tour of the library, art museum, President Benjamin Harrison's House and observing how our government works at the state capitol. Judah is also going to get a mini unit on home repairs. Judah will finish up his schooling by reading books that take place in the UK such as Robin Hood, James Herriot, King Aurther, Harry Potter... any one have any other good suggestions of books to read?
-Jenny
Judah is plowing through home schooling and our goal is to get through our text books by May 1st. We are planning on a tour of the library, art museum, President Benjamin Harrison's House and observing how our government works at the state capitol. Judah is also going to get a mini unit on home repairs. Judah will finish up his schooling by reading books that take place in the UK such as Robin Hood, James Herriot, King Aurther, Harry Potter... any one have any other good suggestions of books to read?
-Jenny
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Cash Flow Ideas???
Does anyone know what is the best way to carry cash in the UK? What about tipping...
-Jenny
-Jenny
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Practice uploading pictures...
I've been figuring out how to use our camera and picasa. What fun. I just figured out how to mark our photos on a map.
Now I am going to practice inserting a photo...
Hmm, this is a little harder than I thought. Must do more research!
-Jenny
Now I am going to practice inserting a photo...
Hmm, this is a little harder than I thought. Must do more research!
-Jenny
House Sitter found!
Today I received confirmation that we have a House Sitter! This is really great because we did not know what we were going to do with our dog Zoe. Options were looking bleak and our kids were not very enthusiastic about our trip.
Our House Sitter comes with their own dog! This should keep Zoe occupied and distracted from missing us. Can I just tell you how happy this makes me and that I now feel free to begin enjoying our upcoming sabbatical.
Our House Sitter comes with their own dog! This should keep Zoe occupied and distracted from missing us. Can I just tell you how happy this makes me and that I now feel free to begin enjoying our upcoming sabbatical.
Friday, April 2, 2010
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