View from Vining, 10-18-06

I was recently given a new title as an employee of Luther Seminary: "deployed staff;" which means that I do most of my work from home. As my blog testifies, I do continue to travel, meeting with prospective students where they are, and am on the campus of the Seminary at least four times a month, but the rest of my work I do from my desk in the family room of my own home.

My husband, whom I married in April of 2006, is pastor of a four point parish (four churches sharing one pastor) in Vining, Minnesota. Vining is located in north central Minnesota (between Fergus Falls and Alexandria for those of you familiar with MN geography), approximately 3 hours from the Seminary. Population 68.

Yes, it is the smallest town my husband and I have ever lived in, but as the saying goes, "size isn't everything." In the short time we have lived here we have enjoyed getting to know our neighbors, congregational members, the rhythm of the town and the general area.

So when I am not bringing you news of my travels or happenings on the campus, I will bring you the "View from Vining." For example, the Bookmobile stopped in town today. Our town does not have a public library, as a number of the small towns in the area do not, so this provides us access to most of the features a public library would have. It stops, I believe, every two weeks for a half-hour in front of the post office. Reading is one of my hobbies, so I appreciate having this service available to me.