I enjoyed a busy fun-filled four days of Vacation Bible School held at Edgewater Park in Albert Lea. It was sponsored by Trinity Lutheran Church and Salem Lutheran Church of Albert Lea among with Central Freeborn Lutheran Church of rural Albert Lea.
Coreen Johnson from Trinity, Terry Olson from Salem, and Genie Hanson from Central Freeborn were the leader-organizers (now you know how I got recruited).
The week started out with pizza and root beer floats Sunday evening at Trinity Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. All the attendees plus parents, grandparents, and any other interested parties, were welcome.
The Okoboji Lutheran Bible School counselors who did a great job of teaching God’s wonderful doings to 3-4-5 year olds and grades 1 through 6 were: Philip Berthelsen, Graham Christopherson, Rachel Gustaftson, Macie Wagner and Adam Weeks.
The teaching ended with an excellent smorgasbord serving everything from KFC to Domino’s Pizza, and green cupcakes on Thursday evening. That was followed by a program put on by the counselors and attendees. ‘Twas then we realized how much the kids enjoyed the counselors’ teaching. Thanks, Okoboji team!
One of my main Vacation Bible School jobs was to take Spencer and Samuel Christensen to their swimming lessons at the pool in Geneva. I hadn’t been to Geneva in about a year, so when the sign coming from the west said the population was 100,000, I panicked. I managed to find the pool, left the boys there, and got lost. Somehow I found my way out of Geneva, going north by the Spiderman painted on the garage. I then realized the rapid population increase must be due to a Spiderman fan club.
On Wednesday of the VBS week I attended the Security Bank in Albert Lea Customer Appreciation Luncheon, with an old-time band as entertainment. In looking around, the only people I saw under age 60 were employees. I then realized older people had the money and they liked waltz music.
Wednesday evening of the same week, I agreed to be Greeter at the WELCA (Women of the Lutheran Church of America) Guest Night Salad Lunch at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church. The celebration was in honor of WELCA’s 25 years, with music and message from the Three CD’s (three lady choir directors form Southern Minnesota). The 92 ladies arrived in all white, all tan, all black, all green, with the prettiest being all blue. From my standpoint, the blue was love at first sight. The only problem was, I knew Genie would object. Now you know why we didn’t have a VW Love Bug!
In my spare time this week, I managed to give Toni a tour of our Albert Lea house. She had many questions, of which I managed to answer most. Toni is a great lady to be on the good side of. Toni is a very capable property appraiser!
Now you know why a retired person doesn’t have much time to be retired. I will admit to being tired at the end of weeks like the above.
Coreen Johnson, VIP at Trinity Lutheran Church in Albert Lea, you earned it, you deserve it, you enjoy it. “Happy Retirement.”
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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.