Call Day 2007

Our excitement overflows as God continually reminds us of His gracious and kind blessings. After three years of study, we received such a terrific assignment to St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Rockton, Illinois. We are excited and looking forward to the opportunity for meeting fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, our new home in the beautiful parsonage, and serving our Lord. We ask for your prayers to our Father in Heaven for continued blessings upon St. Andrew, His children in the congregation, Pastor Richard Wagner that his service in the ministry remain strong and faithful to Christ, that our assignment to this congregation be fruitful in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and for all of the churches in the LCMS. We remember our home congregations of St. Paul's and Our Father's Lutheran churches and ask for prayers that God continue to guide and direct their ministry. We offer thanksgiving for the blessings that they have provided over the years to Nichole and I, and our family.

Please check out the link to St. Andrew. This is such an exciting time. http://standrewrockton.com

Call Day 2007 Continued

We were blessed to have Aunt Naomi and Uncle Dick, Mom (Gretchen) Ficken, Mom (Kathy) Brook join us in St. Louis, along with Wes and Karren Mack (Kris' parents). Dad (John) Ficken joined us in spirit as he granted his students a break from class in order to watch his sons receive their assignments via the webcast.

Picture by Richard Dassow

Call Day 2007 Continued

All praise and glory to our Father in Heaven who has blessed us with such grace as to grant a call to my brother Dave with his wife Kris at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Plover, Wisconsin.

Lucy's Favorite

Sunday is Popcorn and Movie Night at our House. Lucy is just hanging out enjoying her favorite snack. She cracks us up as she has such a wonderful disposition, just enjoying life.

Lily turns Four

What a birthday. Lily decorated cupcakes in her favorite color (Pink) as she geared up for a Strawberry Shortcake birthday party. The cupcakes, the candles, the singing, the presents, friends, and family, made the celebration very special. This next year brings new challenges of school and making new friends. She will love it and will do great. Lily is a wonderful blessing from our Lord!

Spring in MO

Tim has been finding wonderful hairy creatures called Forest Tent Caterpillars. They build tent like webs in the trees and eventually hatch as moths. He catches anywhere from 10-20 of these guys daily as they drop from the trees and are found all over our van, our porch, our sidewalks and driveways. He captured 11 of them and put them in a jar. He gets a kick out of placing them on his sisters and watching them wiggle more than a worm.