What did I learn there? As I would lie in my bed at night trying to organize my thoughts from the day's events, the words "zeal" and "gratitude" came to mind. I will return to this in a later post but now, a recap:
Last Thursday Linda, Lynn and I drove across the state of WI to LaCrosse for the convention, stopping in Fond du Lac at Schreiner's Family Restaurant for lunch. There I picked up a large peanut square and a molasses cookie which would later serve to be my morning bites the rest of the weekend.
It was good to see Lori again and to show Linda her lovely home in Holmen. She got us squared away in our sleeping rooms and then we got to sit a bit before Linda and I had to head to the convention center about 20 minutes away.
Since we did not know the lay of the land yet, Linda and I allowed extra time for finding the parking garage, getting from there to the Center, and then to find our seats in the arena. We did well with this plan and would park in the same stall every day of the convention.
The opening service was incredible, an amazing and moving experience complete with the Lord's Supper being served to nearly 1700 people. The singing together was something I cannot even describe. Even before the service began, I had tears running down my cheeks as I read in the service booklet that we'd be singing "Jerusalem, the Golden" at some point that weekend. Oh my!
On the way out of the service I spotted Carolyn W., from the N. Florida Circuit of which I am part, and she took a photo of Linda and me. Later I was to see two more ladies from our Circuit but only enough to wave at.
My phone had several messages on it including two from friends looking for Linda and me at the registration tables. We chose to register after the service so missed the two folks who were watching for us. I asked my friend, Mary P., how she knew Judy R., who was also watching for us. She said she did not know her before, but overheard Judy talking about her friend, Kim, coming from FL, and they put two and two together and came up with a shared friend! Love that!
David greeted us at the door when these two tired and spent ladies got back to Lori's house. I just love that guy! We visited for a while before heading to bed as Linda and I had to be back up again around 6:00 a.m. to get to the convention. Fortunately David woke me at 6:15 or I'd have really overslept! I had brought some bagels and cream cheese along for Linda's breakfast, plus bananas and grapes. I enjoyed parts of my peanut square and later in the weekend, the cookie for breakfast.
On Friday we were getting out of the car in our 'reserved' spot on the 2nd level when a car came roaring (seemingly) up the ramp. Suddenly it slammed on the brakes right behind our car and out jumped Judy R.!!! She had shrieked at her driver to stop the car---"There's Kimmie Cakes!!!" The Birkholz's let her out and drove on to park the car while we hugged and hugged in the parking garage. My two lady friends finally met each other, though had been friends on Facebook for some time. This was the moment I was waiting for and it happened with such fanfare!
Linda and I would later join Judy, her daughter, Amy, plus friend Judy, and the Birkholz's for lunch. I have been wanting to meet Judy's dear friends about which I hear so much, and to spend time with Amy. I have now met three of Judy's four children, and her son-in-law, who is the recruiter for F.O.C., getting teachers to teach English in China.
That evening we were invited to attend a special gathering to hear a Chinese woman speak, who had been reached via F.O.C. and now teaches Mandarin at our Synod college. Got to spend more time with Judy and her friend, Judy, plus the others we'd met at lunch. On the way out of the room, I was tapped on the shoulder, and there was another Facebook friend, Lou, whom I had never met in the flesh. Hugs were enjoyed. Later, Amy told me she saw me hugging Lou and said, "I can check this off my bucket list now...met Kim!" It was my honor to meet Amy and Shannon, and the others, but was tickled to hear Amy say this.
That evening we were invited to attend a special gathering to hear a Chinese woman speak, who had been reached via F.O.C. and now teaches Mandarin at our Synod college. Got to spend more time with Judy and her friend, Judy, plus the others we'd met at lunch. On the way out of the room, I was tapped on the shoulder, and there was another Facebook friend, Lou, whom I had never met in the flesh. Hugs were enjoyed. Later, Amy told me she saw me hugging Lou and said, "I can check this off my bucket list now...met Kim!" It was my honor to meet Amy and Shannon, and the others, but was tickled to hear Amy say this.
Lori, Lynn, and David came to meet us for dinner in LaCrosse where we ate at 4 Sisters Tapas and Wine Bar, not too far from our convention center. Lori and Lynn had been set up in a park selling Lori's jewelry in LaCrosse so it worked out perfectly. She should have set up at the park across from the convention and sold to the ladies of the LWMS! Guess that was not an option for her, however.
Over the course of the convention, Linda and I talked to many people, some we knew, but most we did not. We also attended three workshops and six worship services, some of which were devotions. We witnessed the presentation of the flags of nations served by our missionaries and missions, a moving parade. "Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim, 'til all the world adore His sacred Name."
More another time!
