What did you do on Friday the 13th of December? Genie and I attended the 47th Annual Albert Lea Service Club Christmas Luncheon at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. The Albert Lea Lions Noon Club, of which I am a member, was the host. After a great meal served by Bonnie Schneider and Ladies of First Lutheran Church, we were entertained by the Albert Lea High School chorale under the direction of Diane Heaney. It was truly a great start of the reason for the season
On Saturday, December 14, Genie and I attended the birthday celebration for Bernard Falksen in the dining room at Good Sam, rural Albert Lea. It was truly an “Agerasia” event as Bernard looked a lot younger than his age, 100. (He built the house we purchased in 1974 and we were the first ones to live in it, in Chapeau Heights, Albert Lea.)
Who are Alissa Goette, Gale Nelson, Teri Rauenhorst, Kristen Seeger, Ole Olson, Val Christensen, Genie Hanson, Wendy Moszer and Karen Goette? They are the proud Sunday school teachers after the excellent Sunday school Christmas program at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church on December 15.
Following is what many of you are waiting for: 6 p.m., pop, pizza, and fellowship; 7 p.m. Norwegian Bingo with prizes; 8 p.m. ice cream with toppings and singing Valentines for shut ins; 9 p.m. drawings for door prizes. All this on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall. The cost is $5/person or $10/family with kids. Bring a white elephant item for the $1 table. RSVP to Bob and Genie Hanson at (507)373-8655 or Wayne and Bev Indrelie at (507)826-3267.
P.S. You don’t have to be or understand Norwegian. You must be able to understand the numbers one through six and be able to holler “Bingo!”
December is the busiest month of the year for Genie and me. I suspect it is also the busiest month of the year for many of you too. I was thinking of the past and becoming concerned about the future. That’s when it hit me. Who is the reason for the season? It was then I heard a voice speaking, “My name is I Am.” He paused. I waited. He continued, “When you live in the past, with its mistakes and regrets, it is hard. I am not there. My name is not I Was. When you live in the future, with its problems and fears, it is hard. I am not there. My name is not I Will Be. When you live in the moment, it is not hard. I am here. My name is I Am.”
To all you great readers, “I Am” is a great feller to live with in your current moment (mine too).
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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.