I'm a survivor!

The Advent Song Service was wonderful, at least that is what the congregation and other choir members and musicians report. My knees and hips held up better today than yesterday which is a huge relief. During the offering, Rachel played the piano and Suzanne the viola, playing "O, Holy Night", my latest addition to the funeral hymn list. Now for sure I have to go before Suzanne or it is a moot point! The arrangement the musicians used is quite lovely and I will get to hear it yet again next week as we take our show on the road to Victory. The bell choir was also very nice and I even "survived" having an acoustic guitar strummed during our song about candle lighting. Bonnie played the piano while the viola and guitar played the background music as Pastor read some paragraphs about the Advent candles and their meaning. We sang before and after his reading. As the director, Rachel, very nicely explained during rehearsal, the viola is a stringed instrument and the guitar is a stringed instrument......to which I nicely answered, "So, Kim, get over it already!!" and all laughed. Evidently I was the only one whose eyebrows went up when it was presented that we were having a guitar and amp for the service, which came as a surprise to me yesterday. Just so we do not get like my other friend, Kathy R. describes her son's church---the Jimi Hendrix church!!!! I am sure we won't but the door has been opened now....Come on, get with the program here!

*

After the service and saying 'good-bye' to all my Victory friends, we had to gather again in the church for our annual congregational meeting. Today the voters had to make decisions regarding the budget for next year, making the necessary cuts and to elect new leadership for the coming year. Fewer tears were shed this week than last although I really did feel like it myself. I hate to see the sad state of affairs our members find themselves in, some taking pay cuts, me included, while others have lost their jobs, with little relief in sight. Prayers are needed for all folks having the same problems as well as for their congregations who suffer right along with them.

*

Yesterday after rehearsal Rachel came up to me with a piece of music she wanted me to have. It had been on her desk for months, intending to share it with me for some time. She said I should read it at home because I might cry. The melody of the anthem was not that great, according to her, but she knew I would love the words. So far, I have not read through it, waiting for the right moment. Another friend from Victory, Audrey, brought me a book to read dealing with birth order. What? Well, when our group met at Victory a week or so ago to rehearse for the Ladies' Advent Service, Audrey and Bonnie were discussing their elderly parents, one in IL and Audrey's here with her now in FL. They are snowbirds and go back to the Milwaukee area where they formerly owned a restaurant along I-43. Bonnie's mom is giving her grief, even though she is not the only child, about being moved into assisted living from her own home. Audrey insists it all has to do with birth order and since I was puzzled about that concept coming into play, she brought me a book!!!! I hope she does not expect it back any time soon.....I am a slow reader!