These have been exciting years. We have lived in Boston, MA (1969-1971); The Bronx, New York (1971- 1974); Staten Island, NY (1974-1984); Schaumburg, IL (1984-2006); and Huntley, IL (2006-present). We hav made three major additions to our family: Three lovely daughters: Anna-Kari Joy, b. June 26, 1971; Lizbet Dori, b. February 6, 1973; and Aili Marta, b. August 20, 1975. III. FACING THE FUTURE TOGETHER, 2006-PRESENT These three daughters have found three wonderful husbands and live respectively in Chicago, IL; Hastings, MN; and Minnetonka, MN. The future continues to unfold with breath-taking speed and in surprising ways: Eight grandchildren (three girls and five boys), which includes eight Baptisms, three Confirmations, one High School graduate, three drivers’ licenses, musical instruments, athletic teams, academic recognitions, defeating Grandpa and Grandma in “Sorry” and “Parcheesi” and stumping Grandpa and Grandma with riddles and questions! These three daughters have found three wonderful husbands and live respectively in Chicago, IL; Hastings, MN; and Minnetonka, MN. There are four (4) reasons. we became a part of “the family” of Grace. Reason #1 I had visited Grace Lutheran Church of Lily Lake one time, perhaps around 1990. Pastor Rex was working with a Seminary Intern at Grace. I was working with a Seminary Intern at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Schaumburg. There were perhaps 10 or 12 Pastors and Interns in the Chicago/Rockford area doing the same thing. The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) set up a Support Group for these Pastors and Interns, which met perhaps six (6) times during that year. One of these meetings was held at Grace of Lily Lake. I liked the setting, the area, the building, and the ladies of Grace gave us an outstanding lunch! This was the first time that I met Pastor Rex and the first time I saw the Grace building and grounds. Reason #2 The closest ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) congregation to where we live is Shepherd of the Prairie Lutheran Church in Huntley. We attended this Church one of the first Sundays when we moved to Huntley in 2006. We knew 19 people there, some of which had been former members of Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Schaumburg. We thought it would be more fun to join a Congregation, where we hardly knew anyone. Reason #3 The third reason has to do with the internal polity of the ELCA. As you know I am an ordained Pastor of the ELCA. The roster of ordained Pastors of the ELCA is maintained by the individual Synods. There are 65 Synods, so there are also 65 synodical rosters. It is continually discussed and sometimes debated within the ELCA whether a Pastor should be rostered. . . . .1). . In the Synod where he/she lives; or. . . . .2). .In the same Synod where the congregation (the congregation to which he/she belongs) is rostered; or. . . . .3) . .In the Synod where he/she received his/her present (or last for retired Pastors) Call. This is especially an important question for Synods that are home to some large Church institutions, such as colleges, seminaries, social service agencies, Churchwide administrative offices, etc. The Metropolitan Chicago Synod is home to Lutheran School of Theology; Churchwide offices; Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, etc. While I live in Northern Illinois Synod, I did not want to lose my place on the Metro Chicago Synod roster. It was attractive to us that Grace is in the Metro Chicago Synod. Reason #4 Pastor Norm Nelson, whom I have known as a friend for a long time, was twisting my arm! The future continues to unfold with breath-taking speed and in surprising ways: Eight grandchildren (three girls and five boys), which includes eight Baptisms, three Confirmations, one High School graduate, three drivers’ licenses, musical instruments, athletic teams, academic recognitions, defeating Grandpa and Grandma in “Sorry” and “Parcheesi” and stumping Grandpa and Grandma with riddles and questions! Submitted April 29, 2022 by Pastor David and Carol Langseth