Most memorable books I read in 2009 (in no particular order, fiction and non):

1. Watership Down by Richard Adams

2. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

3. The Bonesetter’s Daughter by Amy Tan

4. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver

5. The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver

6. American Gods by Neil Gaiman

7. Still Alice by Lisa Genova

8. In Her Own Rite by Marjorie Proctor-Smith

9. Nickolas Nickleby by Charles… Continue

It was a hot day, about 85 degrees F in the middle of November. No, it wasn´t an Indian Summer (to be politically incorrect), but just a normal day in Brazil. I was sweating on my way to work. As I approached the building I work in, I looked across the street to see a man and a woman sitting on a mattress on the sidewalk. It was obvious that this is where they had slept the night before; their clothes were dirty, their hair was matted and all their belongings were piled next to them. I glanced o… Continue

I arrived in the airport in Brazil, touching ground for the first time in South America. It was a scary yet thrilling experience. With two suitcases, a carry-on and a year ahead of me, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. And my limited vocabulary of “Hello,” “goodbye,” “thank you” and “you’re welcome” in Portuguese didn’t ease any of the nervousness. But, following the crowds, I somehow managed to make it from the plane to the luggage pick-up and, eventually, to my hotel.

My first month in Braz… Continue

Every Sunday the People's Press of Owatonna (the local newspaper) prints a small section written by one of the local clergy members of the town, called "Pastor's Perspective." This week is my week to write something, so here is the scoop - early, to boot!

Pastor’s Perspective

Intern Pastor Lydia Nelson

The Plot Thickens: Our Story and God’s Story


Sometimes I think that my life is one big story, and I have yet to figure out if it’s a comedy, tragedy, drama, fantasy, or all of the abov… Continue