Genie and I decided last year our 2022 Christmas letter via this column was a lot easier than doing individual Christmas cards, thus one letter with personal handwritten notes if we desired on any Christmas letter.
This letter would once again be by months of the year regarding the main events we were involved in for the year.
With all the proceeding comments, it is time to let the 2023 Christmas letter appear on a Thursday Just Before Christmas in the Star Eagle Newspaper, New Richland, Minnesota. (My 1954 alma mater)
January 23: My birthday of being an octogenarian. We were faithful Perkins Pie Monday free customers.
February 4: Fully rely on God (F.R.O.G.) annual Valentine's party with Norwegian Bingo at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church. (Genie and I are co-chairs).
12: Annual Blue Earth River Lutheran Church Conference at United Lutheran Church, Walters, MN (Genie and I were delegates.)
23: 11 inches of snow, all evening events canceled.
27: First robin seen at Big Island State Park, Albert Lea.
March 2: Genie and I were delegates to Good Earth Village, Spring Valley, Minn.
21-27: To Harrison, Arkansas visiting.
April 3: Son Dan’s birthday.
10: 1st day of 70’s temp.
16: 2 inches of snow.
26: Genie and to Twins ballgame (COLD!!)
29: Blue Earth River Ladies Conference at First Lutheran Albert Lea. Genie was the convener.
May 6: Genie and I to Lutheran Convention in Mankato.
14: Mother’s Day
19-26: Bob to Leech Lake fishing with guys. We honored “No Mow May” the entire month.
June 17: Daughter Deb’s birthday.
18: My day (Father’s).
24: Women’s Day Good Earth Village Spring Valley.
July 4: Fireworks on Fountain Lake, Albert Lea.
8: New Richland Days. Breakfast Fire Hall.
August 12: National Holiday (Genie’s Birthday plus Cancer Free).
15: Fully Rely on God Bus trip to Lutheran Night at the Twins.
September 4-13: Mountains above Sheridan, Wyoming
18: Annual Soup and Pie Dinner at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church.
28: Our 60th wedding anniversary.
October 2: Last Hummer.
9: 1st Frost.
28: First snow.
31: 185 Trick or Treaters visited our house in Albert Lea.
November 2: Deer hunting Staying at Blue Water Lodge Leech Lake, Walker, Minnesota. Deer were very scarce, so I didn’t hunt. We visited Carole Edstrom in Baudette, Minn., Sandy Roscoe in Walker, Paige Onstad in East Grand Forks, Minn., Rev. Timothy Bauer and Brenda in Dilworth, Minn. until November 13th. Son Dan Flew into Duluth, Minn. on November 15 and back to Buffalo, New York on November 19.
11: I was honored to be a speaker at the Veteran’s Day Breakfast Service in Walker. They gave Genie a long stem rose. Wow.
17: Genie was privileged to be one of the lefse makers at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cass Lake.
20: Genie had a very sore throat. We went to the walk-in clinic in Walker. The diagnosis was “COVID.” “UFFDA.” She was given medication for 5 days, during which she was under quarantine and then wore a mask for 5 days. I tested negative, but should wear a mask ‘til Genie is O.K. or I’m positive.
21: Home to Albert Lea.
December: Genie and I play the waiting game regarding COVID.
“Jesus is the reason for the Season” is a great slogan every year. Amen.
Did you call 1-951-262-3062??
“P.S. Son Dan was Diagnosed with COVID on November 23.
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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.