Justin and I rode to church together again, with him dropping me off for Bible study, and then going for coffee and a bite. We are soon wrapping up the Bible study based on the movie "Come Follow Me" which is put out by our Synod. Everyone in the congregation got a copy of the movie, but, since I didn't know that, I had already bought my own. Good things come to those who wait...
Today for worship, Janet played the organ for the hymns. Oh, how nice that is! We are going to get so spoiled between her playing and Kathy R.'s playing for us. Janet added some 'dynamics' to the hymns, not as dramatically as can be done on the pipe organ at FG, but she found a way. I am so thankful for this!
One of our members serves at the submarine base in GA, while his wife and daughters live in New Ulm, MN. Periodically Ann comes down for a visit, and when not in school, the girls can join them. Corey goes out on deployment for periods at a time so it made sense for the family to stay behind and finish school. Anyway, Ann has a wonderful voice and sings harmony on the hymns, which adds much to my personal appreciation of them. She is a 2nd cousin to my young friend, Naomi, a student in New Ulm. Small world!
Gretchen and Terri T.
After church, a whole gang of us went to lunch at Sam's St. Johns Seafood where Gretchen likes to go. She doesn't like to go to Chili's so when she joins us, she gets to pick! Two days ago Gretchen celebrated her 88th birthday. She likes to mention how the Queen of England and she are just days apart in their birthday. She tears me up! Terri T. had called her to do something that day but Gretchen's niece and nephew beat her to the punch. So we celebrated today with the church bunch.
From left is Mike S., Betty, me, Justin, Kristin, then Sue, Judy C., Gretchen, Terri T., Michael, and Jacob. We have all age groups represented for Miss Gretchen!
Before we'd headed to eat, though, Meghan and I went to the classroom building to have her try on the wedding dress. It was huge on her---not around the middle but up top. Oh oh...Bonnie's granddaughter, Alicea, tried on my dress and we figured with some pins, she's a go. I feel so badly for Meghan, though, because she would have loved to wear a gown. She wondered aloud if she could wear her mom's dress and we all said, "Yes!, if it fits you!" We mentioned it to her dad, waiting outside, and he was doubtful about that, but will ask Michele when she gets home from work.
As we pulled onto the property after lunch, I spotted my friends sitting at the pool. Justin knew I would go flying out there to join them, but not in my swimsuit. Quickly I changed my clothes and grabbed a partial 12 pack of Diet Coke to share, since the cabana is not open yet. The water is too cold yet for me but Mo was in the water and Bill had dived in a couple of times. The sun feels awesome and the company is great. Mo had her computer along to do some work while seated poolside...As a teacher, her work is never done. I think three of her kids were with her, one of whom did a food run to Wendy's for the family. Mo has 8 kids, and my utmost admiration! Lee moved away last fall, and today her absence was felt profoundly by me, as the pool season gets underway. She really liked the cooler water and cooler temps. Mo and I might go to eat once more at Santioni's before summer is in full bloom, and drink a toast to Lee, our absent friend.
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