How was your Thanksgiving? Genie and I had a very, very busy Thanksgiving. Our recovery date is in the brewing!
We enjoyed the Wednesday evening church service at Central Freeborn Lutheran in rural Albert Lea. At the end of the service Rev. Matt Griggs did an off-the-cuff impromptu by passing the mike around to all those who would tell why they were thankful this Thanksgiving. I was pleasantly surprised at all the response, especially the young under age 12, and the visitors who spoke. Of course, I also responded. I had a hunch this will be part of the Thanksgiving service at Central in the future.
Thanksgiving Day, at high noon, Genie and I enjoyed the traditional family get-together at relatives in Owatonna. A smart decision was made to have three kinds of soup plus dessert for the noon meal. It was a lot easier to fix and serve, plus the under-12 crowd really enjoyed it.
Their house is right across from Trinity Lutheran Church (the really long house with a full basement). It is so long that the soup was served steaming by the time you got to your chair on the other end, the soup was just the right temperature to eat (they didn’t serve ice cream as it would have been melted by the time you got to your chair). I suggest you drive by the house on University to understand the length of the house (the Minnesota Vikings had a good day also).
Genie and I rested on Friday. We did a few things outside in the record-setting 63 degrees. This led to a nap each in their own La-Z-Boy chair (I was truly a Lazy Boy for about 90 minutes). My nap was interrupted by a cell phone ring. Just as I answered it, a message was left stating that the IRS was after me and please call 312-219-8893 for their help. I waited until Monday and when I called, a message stated that number was no longer in existence. I’m hoping the IRS caught up to the scam.
Saturday was back to the festivities. We helped a 3-year-old young lady celebrate her birthday party (Allie Grace Hanson, grand niece) at El Molino in Waseca. The food was excellent, the service even better as four employees sang Happy Birthday with a birthday cake. The fried ice cream dessert is a must when you’re in Waseca.
Sunday, after church, was the traditional Hanson family Thanksgiving parade of food at the Combs’ residence in St. Peter. This was the walk-by type of parade where you walked by and selected too much food (Barry Combs played the role of master chef).
Short Short:
• Pastor Kay Rother, a retired Army nurse now a pastor, has a slogan, “Need a pastor, just ask her.” She can be reached at 641-892-4656 (readers, this Short Short is a fact!)
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Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent, currently working on his master’s degree in Volunteering. His wife, Genie, is a retired RN, currently working on her doctor’s degree in Volunteering. They have two children, Deb in North Carolina, and Dan in Vermont. Bob says if you enjoy his column, let him know. If you don’t enjoy it, keep on reading, it can get worse. Words of wisdom: There is always room for God.