Mary circle

 

 

Mary circle met at my house this month.  The picture is of us socializing before the last group of members arrive.  We have a very close knit group.  During our study this month we discussed the triune God.  We furthered our understanding of the Lutheran viewpoint.  We discussed what our understanding  of the Holy Ghost was.  We shared personal experiences. Support for each member is a big part of our circle of women.  We ate muffins and fruit salad.  What fun we had.  We are truly blessed.  

Words as we age

Some very true words to ponder.  I did not write this, but I hope you enjoy.

 

As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world, too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it, if I choose to read, or play, on the computer, until 4 AM, or sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50, 60 & 70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love, I will.

I will walk the beach, in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves, with abandon, if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set. They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And, I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years, my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break, when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But, broken hearts are what give us strength, and understanding, and compassion. A heart never broken, is pristine, and sterile, and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it).

MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART!

Proof of a pre programmed brain

Try this:

While sitting down lift your right foot and make clockwise circle.
Now while doing that draw the number six  in the air with your right hand.

Your foot will change directions and there is nothing you can do about it.

The fun that I am having invisioning all the readers trying this.  

Bank Lunch

 



The First National Bank and the 55 Connection had their annual Christmas Celebration and luncheon at the Hampton Inn.  This year a turkey dinner was served.  They hired the Ophoven Family as the entertainment.  The food was good, conversation wonderful and the entertainment was even better. 

Pledge drive

New news anchor

Recognise him

Lakeland Public TV is doing one of their 4 membership drives.  This group of women are representing First Lutheran Church.  It was very fun to do, but TV does add weight on a person.  I guess what I need is the lens that elongates a person and makes them look taller.  Not only did we take pledges, their was time for us to sit at the news desk.  It felt good sitting where they film the Lakeland news.  So they could give us something for our time they had us play bingo. 
When we bingoed we got to pick a prize.  All the bingo cards had pledge items on it.  We had one of those lucky bingo players in our group that kept getting bingos.  I won once.  I never win at bingo.  I played most every Friday night at the Legion Club in Beach for 20 years.  I finally had to look at it as a donation and socialization.  In the end all of us got to pick a prize.  We finished up just before 10. 

Book club lunch

What a nice group.  This is my book club. We decided to eat and not read for the month of December.  We went out to Sparkling Waters for lunch.  Good conversation, good food and many laughs.  We are  reading Broken for You  by Stephanie Kallos for January.

Packing Day

 

Packing Day for Lutheran World Relief.  These boxes are not all from First Lutheran.  There were 5 other churches that brought their donation to our church for one pick centrally located.  There are boxes of quilts, sewing kits, health kits, school kits and baby layettes.  This year we found out that 200,000 dollars of quilts and health kits are not leaving this country as they are being delivered to victims of Hurricane Sandy.  Hallelujah.What a nice ending to half a year's work.  We will pack again and send kits and quilts in May.