Genie and I attended Blue Earth River Conference Assembly held at United Lutheran Church in Walters, MN on Super Bowl Sunday afternoon for Evangelical Lutheran Church Members of America in Southeastern Minnesota.
(There are about 56 Lutheran congregations in Southeastern Minnesota.)
I wasn’t a happy attendee, being taken away from watching the Super Bowl game to attend a Lutheran Church conference starting at 2 p.m.
We arrive and register for the conference as we’re told the Super Bowl table of eatable goodies was in the dining room downstairs. I’m in a grumpy mood that perked up when I saw the table of goodies. Home made Norwegian goodies, wow, even French vanilla flavored creamers for my coffee.
We proceeded to the opening of the assembly by Rev. Kristi Mitchell from Alden and Concordia Pickerel Lake.
I’m still a bit grumpy but really perk up as she announced “I know some of you aren’t the happiest being here on Super Bowl Sunday afternoon. I have been informed by my boss what the score of the game will be even before it starts. I Promise to have you out of here before the game starts with plenty of time to find a TV and watch the game.”
I am no longer grumpy and enjoy the conference patiently waiting for her to announce the score of the game before it starts.
At the end Rev. Kristi state “Any further comments? Hearing none, this conference is adjourned.”
I yell out “You promised the score of the Super Bowl game before it starts.”
She answered, “It’s still nothing to nothing.”
Do You Know who the most successful treasure hunters are in Albert Lea? The Nasby family, that’s who!! By following the treasure clubs as part of their Day Children activity, they found the Big Freeze Medallion at Shoff Park in Albert Lea.
I must comment on “the Super Bowl” even though the Vikings were not in it; it was one of the most interesting contests I’ve seen and I’ve seen them all (on TV.)
Heads Up to you fellow slow moving Norwegians: “Daylight Savings begins early Sunday morning, March 12, 2023.”
Once again, “A loud shout out to the Whirlwind Group at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church.” In every church member’s mailbox they left a Happy Valentine’s Day card “From the Whirlwind crew on the front” and the following message on the rack: “So Faith, Home, Love, Remain, These Three; But the Greatest of These is Love.” (– per 1st Corinthians 13.13.)
A special thanks to the young lady named Jordyn for the kids’ activity Valentine hand-colored card.
“Weather will be weather, whether you like it or not” is most certainly a true statement in the Great State of Minnesota. For example:
On Valentine’s Day 2022 I walked my usual 2-4 Mile Walk. Part of the walk being the east and north side of Fountain Lake in Albert Lea.
On Valentine’s Day 2023, I did the same only this time by car!! It was warm, raining heavily until early A.M. on the 15th, quit raining as a major wind switched from the south to the north with the temp dropping into the single digits. Net result was no Valentine’s celebration on the 14th or 15th of February. (We did exchange gifts at home.)
In summary: Valentine’s 2023was the mod saying of “Bummer Dude.”
A reminder to the forgetful Minnesotan: “Your need for a current fishing license began March 1st, 2023.”
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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 New York. 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.