Charlye gets baptized!

"Something in the Water" [Song] by Carrie Underwood

 

He said, "I've been where you've been before.
Down every hallway's a slamming door.



 

No way out, no one to come and save me.
Wasting a life that the Good Lord gave me. 

 

 

Then somebody said what I'm saying to you,
Opened my eyes and told me the truth."

 

They said, "Just a little faith, it'll all get better."
So I followed that preacher man down to the river

 

 and now I'm changed
And now I'm stronger

 

 

There must've been something in the water 

 

Oh, there must've been something in the water

 

Well, I heard what he said and I went on my way
Didn't think about it for a couple of days

 

Then it hit me like a lightning late one night
I was all out of hope and all out of fight

 

 

 

Couldn't fight back the tears so I fell on my knees
Saying, "God, if you're there come and rescue me."

 

 

 

Felt love pouring down from above
Got washed in the water, washed in the blood

 

 

and now I'm changed
And now I'm stronger 

 

There must be something in the water
Oh, there must be something in the water

 

 

And now I'm singing along to amazing grace
Can't nobody wipe this smile off my face

 

 

Got joy in my heart, angels on my side
Thank God almighty, I saw the light

 

Gonna look ahead, no turning back
Live every day, give it all that I have

 

Trust in someone bigger than me
Ever since the day that I believed I am changed
And now I'm stronger

 

 

There must be something in the water (amazing grace)
Oh, there must be something in the water (how sweet the sound)
Oh, there must be something in the water (that saved a wretch)
Oh, there must be something in the water (like me)
Oh, yeah

 

 

I am changed (I once was lost)
Stronger (but now I'm found)
(was blind but now I see)

 

 

Charlye Price Carmack, Child of God.

12/14/2014.

 

Moving to Aitkin!!!

Well, it's official. We have successfully moved to Aitkin and are now Gobblers!!! (Yes, that is our mascot). It was a crazy couple of weeks as we said goodbye to ministry jobs that we both loved, and friends and family that we became accustomed to spending so much time with. The weekend before we moved, I had a great ordination service that so many incredible friends and family attended! Bishop Thomas Aitkin from the Northwest Minnesota Synod was the one who had the privledge of ordaining me, and the ordination was held at what I consider to be my home church, Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Stillwater (see previous post). 

Then, after spending the week packing up our offices and our apartment, we packed the moving truck and headed north to Aitkin...(Literally...all my belongings in one truck. Crazy). 

We were met in Aitkin by lots of people from our new church who were ready to help!! Michael went up a few hours before I did...I stayed back and cleaned the apartment with my mom and then picked up the girls from my aunt Terri's house and made the drive up. By the time I got to our house in Aitkin, the truck was almost unloaded and people were even starting to put together beds, dressers, book cases, etc. for us!! Oh - and did I mention that they brought us food too!!!??? yep! It was delicious! What a welcome! 

My parents and Brady stayed with us for the weekend and we slowly got things unpacked and moved in. We also got some things taken care of like grocery shopping...

And playing on the new trampoline...

And breaking in the toy room...

And exploring the local park...

And of course...catching up on some sleep on our new and fabulous couch...(well, some of us anyway...)

And as the week went on, we have slowly gotten settled in. We are so lucky that we have even had visitors in the past week that we've been here!!

Addi got to hang out with her cousin Claire for the afternoon on their way home from Itasca State Park on Monday, and we also got to hang out with the Ericksons last weekend for one evening as well!! We have a guest room AND an extra futon downstairs, so you are all welcome to come and stay with us anytime!! We love visitors!! 

So we continue unpacking and getting settled. One of the great perks of small towns is that we literally can walk everywhere and we love that!! We've headed into Brainerd twice already and still have yet to gas up our cars since we've been here! We've also scouted out some great little spots in town for food, ice cream, and coffee!! And as we've been unpacking, we've been finding some fun things...such as winter hats!! (no...I do NOT want winter to come yet, but the kids had fun trying them on)

Michael is adjusting to his new job as a stay at home dad (and is FABULOUS at it may I add!! He takes the girls to the park and library and everything!!) and I'm adjusting to my new job as the associate pastor to Children, Youth and Families at First Lutheran...so far so good! 

Yep...we are loving life in Aitkin!! God is good.  

August 2013: Ordination

Can you believe it? 

I'm ordained....

It's official (or should I say I'm Official!!...)

We had a great day celebrating my ordination with family and friends at what I consider to be my home church, Our Savior's Lutheran, in Stillwater. This is where it all began...

And I have such incredible family and friends who came out to celebrate my ordination with me!! 

And of course, we can't have a celebration without a party afterwards! My parents took all our family and close friends out to dinner at a new Irish Pub in Stillwater, and it was delicious!! And of course, it's not one of my parties if I don't take a million "selfies" pictures with people!!

What a great night of celebrating! Thanks to everyone who supports me in my ministry and spent the day with me! 

Get ready First Lutheran Church in Aitkin...I'm on my way!!