Listen to their sending by AoC
March 2, 2007
Greetings from St. Louis!
I am writing to all of you in a state of relaxation and peace as I turned in my last paper of the winter quarter last night. What a relief. I’m sure some of you can imagine how sweet it is to have such anxiety lifted from the shoulders… whew! In ten short weeks the spring quarter will be over and I will be free from books and preparing for our move to where ever my vicarage placement is located.
School this year has been a challenging and rewarding experience. I have journeyed with Paul to Galatia, listened to Isaiah and the Oracles of Yahweh and pondered the grammar of Luke in my exegetical courses. I have discussed the importance of imagery and post modern preaching, written and executed lesson plans for seventh grade religion class and developed various types of devotions for my practical courses. I have studied the Trinity, Christology, heresies, and Pieper for my Systematic courses and focused on the 30 years post Luther’s death for my historical classes.
I have written paper after paper, worn out several mechanical pencils while taking exams and been personally responsible for the destruction of several acres of rain forest as I make copies. My butt hurts from sitting in one chair after another. I have gained weight from my stationary lifestyle of eating, reading and sitting and then eating again. I am not sure what a good nights sleep is as it has been a few years and I have more gray hair then when I came here.
But this has been a worthwhile endeavor as I prepare for the Office of Holy Ministry. All of my classroom experience has prepared me for the coming year of vicarage and I am excited to practice what it is that has been preached to me for these past three years. So, I sit here and write to you all thankful for the tremendous support that you have offered.
Without your financial support this would have been a far more taxing experience. The support you provide to us has reduced our financial burden so that I am able to focus on my studies and Liz is able to be at home providing a nurturing and supportive environment. Ascension has been a blessing and I am not sure I am able to do justice in words what your sacrifice has done for us.
Here is just a bit of what we have been up to:
Theresa is doing exceptionally well at school. Her reading is progressing nicely and she is a star speller – which is a far cry from her dad. She has just celebrated her 7th birthday and is already talking about her 8th. She is growing up so fast and I am wondering what I am to do when she wants to borrow the car…hmmmmm.
Kaijala is very spirited and I can only describe her as vivacious. Skipping, giggling, twirling and poking her younger sister are favorite pastimes. She appears to be on the cusp of genius when it comes to school and I am terrified of the day when she realizes that she has her dad’s sassy humor and mom’s stubbornness.
Olivia has learned to say ‘no’ and has begun to appreciate the value of running from her parents when we walk toward her in order to take some implement of destruction from her hand. Stuffed animals have become her friends and she is starting to see the value of a good hug. What more could I ask from an 18 month old.
Liz is the lynch pin for this entire family. She is able to balance all of the acts of mom with grace and professionalism in our dinky apartment. Between the Brownie meetings, car pooling, MOPS, Bible studies and various other activities it is amazing that she has any energy left at the end of the day to listen to me….ok, she usually falls asleep while I am talking to her. She is looking forward to the change that vicarage will bring but I know she secretly dreads the move. Perhaps the magic moving fairy will appear and make it a snap for both of us (our parents fit the magic fairy category).
I have been invited to go to India this summer. I thought and prayed about it and have decided to throw my hat into the ring. Dr. Raj, one of the faculty here, is leading this trip back to his homeland in an effort to show us what it is like to be the Christian minority in a country filled with pagans. We will study at a seminary and tour Bombay and several cities only reachable by plane. His hope is that we will walk away from this experience better tuned to the power of the Gospel and recognizing the importance of the Ablaze program. I am excited and looking forward to the trip.
Each night our family prays for our home congregation. We ask for God’s blessings and protection to be granted to all as we know that you are doing the same for us. We take time in our family devotions to recognize the special gifts that you have provided in your financial support but also discuss the importance of the prayers we know you share with God the Father on our behalf. We are grateful and thank God for your support.
We are planning a trip home sometime in March and look forward to seeing all of you in the very near future. May the Lord bless you in this Lenten season and grant you the courage to stand strong in the faith and keep you in his protective embrace.
The Burakowski Bunch
Jltkbunch@hotmail.com
Photos
Photos are from the Farewell Sunday as they left for St. Louis
