Finding Faith ... in a back-to-school update

Even though the groans from the family were audible, I forced them all to take a family photo tonight because we are so rarely all together. ... But eventually they grinned and bared it just so that we could get on with going to supper. I think they were just hungry.

Consider this our belated and obligatory back-to-school update:

The big guy there on the left will NOT be going back to school for the first time in 17 years. He, instead, soon will be starting his first nursing job in the Twin Cities after having graduated from Augustan University last spring. ... Hopefully, we'll be sharing more news about that soon.

Anna (a.k.a. "A-Love or No. 5) and Garrett.

The one posing with the big guy in the next photo is Anna, whom we affectionately call "A-Love" or No. 5, as she's been a member of our family so long that she's long been one of the kids. She started school at the St. Thomas University School of Law a couple of weeks ago, and will be working on her law degree for the next three years. She also graduated from Augustana University last spring.

Then there's Carter, who will be a senior at Moorhead High School. Such a weird fall not seeing him play football, but we're glad that its been postponed and not outright canceled. We remain hopeful that they will get on the field in the spring. ... Also weird to now have our second high school senior, now that I think about it. ... Thanks a lot Father Time.

Ava, who is a sophomore this year, has started her own new adventure at a public online Minnesota high school. So we're now navigating through those new waters as a family too, figuring out what full-time online learning looks like. Meanwhile, she spends a lot of time with her horse "Rocky," whom now is part of the family too. Just that he doesn't live with us, and he never calls, just like the kids. Weird. ... And, yikes, only two more years for her in school too. Also weird. ... Can we pump the breaks a bit?

Then there is our "Littles." ... Siri started seventh grade at Horizon East, Moorhead's only middle school that holds all fifth- through eighth-graders. She will be in ice skating again this fall. ... Or, at least, she is signed up for ice skating this fall. We'll see what curve ball 2020 has in store next. ... She is now our fourth Spud to have gone through Horizon school, a streak dating back eight years. ... In two years, we'll no longer have anyone at Horizon. ... How is that possible?

Shelley is going back to school, so to speak, this fall too as she recently started a new job as a voucher coordinator at Fargo Housing and Redevelopment Authority. Let me tell you, that is a special calling all onto its own. I simply marvel at the Spirit-filled work that her office does. What a ministry!

As for me, I start my fifth year of seminary at Luther Seminary in St. Paul this fall. God willing and if the creeks don't rise, I'll finish my degree there about this time next year. ... It's been a long journey, and not always an easy one, but I am so grateful for my family's support these past five years. ... Wow, a half of a decade??? ... It seems that all of our kiddos grew up during these years, but they've graciously rolled with the punches. ... I am a lucky man.

Oh, and there's Gus Gus, who after a lo-o-o-n-n-g-g Labor Day week that he was forced to spend at home with Dad, returned to his favorite place in the entire world: Wags Stay 'N Play. ... Seriously, we are convinced that Gus just pretends to love us so he can use us to foot his daycare bill. True story. ... He is so loved there, that I secretly wonder if he doesn't run the place by day.

And rounding out the rest of the fam, Cody the trusty ol' husky, and cats Ginger, Sky and Gracie hold down the fort while we are all away. ... Well, which isn't as often as it used to be, but you get the picture: It's 2020. ... But one thing is for certain: All four of the rest of the pets are outwardly gleeful when Gus leaves in the morning. They, too, are happy we foot Gus Gus' daycare bill.

So, that's about it. ... An autumn full of new. An autumn full of change. An autumn full of unknowns. ... But we're riding it out together, which makes for a happy dad.

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97Nate Dybvig, Ryan Zambonimoped and 95 others 11 Comments Like Comment Share