Rene' Full of Grace or Expanding the Genogram

I could tell you about walking around in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya this year or running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain the other week (and perhaps they'll find their way into a future post), but they'd probably just make you yawn after bigger news for the CPE: The Movie crew. Some might have thought we were getting together because it was the last week that the Sikora's will be Evanston residents before they head back to San Diego, some might have thought it was to celebrate the anniversary of the Scorpion necklace, but in truth Les and I and our spouses gathered for a much more significant reason.

It was to celebrate the big news from Rene'. She is pregnant! She's expecting around New Years and I'm sure she's contemplating right now which chaplain from last summer she'll name her child after. If you have a chance, drop her and Andrea a congrats email, or put in a gratitude prayer request for morning report at the hospital for her. Hooray for Rene'!!!

Mother Cheers, Dad Snoozes

In the lull between checking out of their Waikiki hotel and hitching their flight back to Central Illinois, parents of one chaplain featured in CPE: The Movie finally sat down for a viewing nearly 7 months after its release. Apparently the numourous acclamades, media attention, and pending lawsuits were not enough to spark curiousity with Anthony's parents until a need for filling time arose. Upon suggesting a viewing of the film, his mother and step father finally gave in after realizing the famed Honolulu fabric store, Fabric Mart, was closed. "It seamed obvious that this was going to be our only option for the afternoon, so we just decided to sit down and watch it", his mother said, tossing her aloha print fabric coupons in the trash. Both his mother and step-father appreciated the film's heartfelt summer memories by all chaplains, but questioned the film's off color humor; the quote, " very interesting music;" and the need for pick-up lines in a health care setting. In between cat-nap two of three during the 35 minute feature, Anthony's step father was jolted awake by the "Not So Glad You Came" sing along portion. "For a second I thought we were going to watch a Cheers re-run," he said before dozing off again. Overall, Anthony's parents said they enjoyed the film, but when asked if they would watch it again, quickly looked at their watches and headed for the airport.


(This report was only loosely based on actual events that took place on the afternoon of July 5, 2007......Have a good weekend everybody.......:)

where have all the chaplains gone?

Hello friends! I think you all need to start posting! Today was my first full day in the office and it was great. I think I'm really going to love this church. Going to be busy and have a lot to figure out, but they've been wonderful so far. Preaching the first time this Sunday, so still have to work on that. Anyway, just wanted to say hello, life is going well, and you all need to start posting. Seriously.

pics and link to the best blog ever

Here are two very special pictures taken from when Anthony was in town. I've got to work on figuring out the placement of the pictures, but they're pretty funny. Carrie's wedding was this past Saturday, and if you want to see some pics, you should check out my new blog at brookiewow.livejournal.com It was so much fun to see Joy and Jake there! Hope you're all doing well, and I'll talk to you later!

back in MN!!!

Hello all!! Sorry for being absent for so long. But I am now back in MN, hanging out at home until my house goes through (hopefully). But I have graduated, have moved, have been to Nashville for a preaching conference, and have been commissioned as a probationary elder in the UMC--wahoo!! Please refer to me as Reverend from here on out....actually, don't. :) But it is fun to joke about, except at parties where people don't know you. I had two retirement parties and a birthday party this weekend and some eleven people must have apologized to me for swearing or using phrases like "praise the Lord" when they were happy about something. We need to change this, or else parties are going to get really LAME really soon! I'll post a grad picture of me and Carrie, and maybe she'll post one of commissioning. I'll try and post some of her wedding when we get back, though I don't know how many I'll take with my camera. This isn't a very funny post, but this might make it funny: in Nashville, on my last night, I told Jenny (my former associate pastor at WCC) that I really wanted to ride the bull at this bar we had been to earlier. So we went and did, and I got rug burn on my back and a huge bruise on my thigh from falling off. Unfortunately for you, and fortunately for me, the pictures did not turn out. haha! a quote from someone without their ID "can I just get in? we're all pastors and I just want to go in and watch them ride the bull." she got in. Miss you all! Come to Minnesota anytime!

Happy June & Chaplaversary

Hello Friends! Just wanted to drop a few lines as we say in the biz (?) to wish you a happy June and blessed summer. If this were a yearbook, I would say something like "Stay Cool" or "Have an awesome summer" or "I'm sorry about the whole prom thing, I should have warned you I can't dance, hope we can still be friends........." I would then do my best to draw the Van Halen logo. Thankfully for some of us, we're home sweet home in 2007.

Can't beleive its been a year since our Lutheran adventure began! It has been wonderful staying in touch this year despite the distance. I look forward to seeing how God continues to grow and use us as the journey unfolds. I pray for those moving on to new chapters, cities, ministries, adventures in marriage and parenthood; and for those moving into the next phase of seminary: for God's continued care and guidance in your life. I wish you all the very best.

Here's a pic from Volcanos Park on the Big Island. We are standing on what used to be moltan lava in the middle of a, pardon my french, freakin huge volcanic crator. Yes, it's true, I am a dork. Christi and I took a weekend to check out the cities of Kona (home of Kona Joe's coffee, mmmmm) and Hilo. Gave us a chance to relax and see some amazing sites. Good times. Take care my friends and "have an awesome summer!!!!!!"

Kenya Believe It?

Well, I’m off to Kenya for a two week immersion trip tomorrow. (Enlarge the picture to see how far away it is!) It’s the focus of my summer class: Social Justice and East Africa. I can hardly believe it sometimes; it seemed so far away, so distant for so long, but time has a funny way of marching forward. So now this adventure awaits. Five needles and a prescription for malaria pills later, I’m ready. I vacillate between excitement and nervousness, between concern and trust. Story of my life in many ways I suppose. Please keep me in your prayers!