At last--the day of the concert!! I had been giddy all day which helped me get through putting my tax info together. Now to drop it off at the CPA and I am good to go! Just knowing I had this wonderful concert and the anticipation of seeing my Manitowoc friends kept me from stressing too much. I make myself a promise every year to do things right along but don't do it! Ugh!
It was gloomy and drizzly most of the day and I dreaded the ride to the concert, but it wasn't that bad once Judy and I hit I-95. There were 6 of us there from Good Shepherd, 7 from Keystone Heights, and two from Victory, that I was aware of. Pastor Schleicher and Ellen had 5 Keystone members over for dinner (he lives in Palm Coast) and told me he kicked himself for not including me in this dinner. He promised to invite me 'next time'!
It was wonderful to reconnect with the Palm Coast folks again, especially Bonnie, formerly of Victory, who was keeping all the balls in the air with organizing things. She arranged the families to take choir members home, got the meal prepared to serve (pulled pork with cole slaw!), and all the other details the host church takes on when company comes to town. Tim and she were taking 5 choir members home with them including the two Ungemach girls, from my home church. Unfortunately, the Schleichers did not get any kids (I guess they weren't 'remembered' since he serves another congregation) but again, that can happen, 'next time'!
One person I had to find to hug and photograph was a young lady named Emily, who is a friend of a friend of Michael's. Kari is the teacher who would bring the kids from CO to help with VBS until leaving her job to pursue her extended degree in education. Kari asked me to seek her out and administer a squishy hug, in her honor. So, I did it! At first the young lady was wondering what this was all about, but once I explained it came from Kari, she hugged me right back. I took her photo and sent it to Kari when I got home.
Judy kept going to the door when it was time to leave and then I'd find someone else I needed to talk to! She is used to me, and was patient. Our drive home was better with the mist letting up and fewer cars on the road. Never a good idea to head out for a road trip at rush hour, but there was no way around that! Leaving the church around 9:15 was far quieter on the freeway.
In keeping with the recent recognition of Transfiguration Sunday, I had to say, more than once, "'tis good, Lord, to be here"! Thanking God also for the safe trip down and back from the concert, and for the traveling safety of the choir as the continue their mission of "The Gospel in Song".
