Tamie and I have decided to part ways. The details are personal, as they always are, so I will not expand too much on my blog. We have essentially decided to pursue separate interests. It’s a difficult decision. In many ways we were compatible and really good for each other, but in other ways it was a difficult match. I suppose at some point, two people have to decide whether they want to build on the good and work through the difficult stuff or whether it would be better to pursue their own path.

Although I believe our separation is for the best, it’s been a difficult transition for me. It is not easy to lose a best friend and partner of two years. Not easy at all. I decided to come back to the States, returning a bit early from Alaska. I am landing here in Huron, South Dakota, staying with my parents, which has been surprisingly refreshing and comforting. I say “surprisingly” because going from the exotic and rugged land of Alaska to the flat Midwest didn’t sound as thrilling as one might think from reading the travel brochure. Still, it’s been great to connect with my parents and with my sister, who is getting married in the fall.

It has also been comforting to be in the quiet and calm Midwest. Coming back to the Midwest has been good, although I can definitely say that I am not a Midwest kind of guy anymore, even though it is the place where I have roots. For now, though, it has been great.

What’s up for me next? I continue the eternal struggle as to whether I want to pursue an academic career with ministry growing out of academics or whether I want to pursue ministry as a primary vocation and let academics grow out of ministry. Hhhmmm…I’ll continue to sort through that. For now, though, I will be applying to more grad school. Which ever way I resolve the eternal struggle, I feel really good about getting more education, either pursuing a Ph.D. or an M.Div.

Salutations from Huron, South Dakota.