Good Saturday to you from northern Iowa where we have now lived for 24 1/2 years. How did that happen? We are originally from Minnesota but with Joel's 8 years in the military and 40 years in the ministry we have lived in several states and overseas, but never longer than 6 1/2 years a.n,y.w.h.e.r.e. And here we are, almost a quarter century in a small micropolis ( somewhere between rural living and small city living). We thought living here was just a temporary stop like all the others. God knew differently.
Oh, we tried to move.....Joel took another church, a larger congregation in a town 50 miles east of here but long long story short we ended up living here while Joel commuted a long distance to serve a congregation until Lyme disease put a stop to that. Then we tried to move to Gold Canyon, Arizona but breast cancer came calling the first time, so we took our house off the market and stayed here. My health has kept us here as I have battled cancer a couple more times. Arizona no longer calls us to a permanent move, although we would love to spend winters there!
So here we are, coming upon Christmas 2020, year number 24 in Iowa and number 16 in this house. Those are big numbers for people who have lived more of a gypsy lifestyle for most of their married life. There were lots of great things about moving so often, but just as many not so great things either. We have noticed that our children have moved very few times and are settled in their present locations for a long time I would expect.
And back to Christmas. Turning down our street in our association we are greeted with Christmas lights and friendly neighbors. We love that. We like living on the edge of towns when we can, and we are living just a couple minutes walking from the river and walking paths. Our neighborhood is quiet, and with humor we call it Lutherhaven since so many of our neighbors are, and attend a large local Lutheran congregation. It's a good place to be.
Speaking of a good place to be, this past week Joel dropped me off at the eye clinic so I could see the retina specialist and get an eye shot. It is usually a 1 1/2 hr wait as so many need to see the doctor and he is only here Monday mornings and Tuesdays. It is amazing how many people have eye issues. Anyway I brought in three bags of Christmas candy for the receptionist as they have a bowl for people to enjoy and in the past before CoVid, Joel would enjoy his share.....the nurse behind the counter thaned me and we chatted. Then she offered me some one -time -use Christmas masks! So fun! She gave me so many I told her, "Oh you better save some..." And she replied . "I don't plan to need them next year, Renee!" We had a good laugh (behind masks and social distancing) while hoping she was right!
Speaking of Covid, I was surprised that it brought me to tears to watch the first people getting their vaccines this week. I am not one to jump in on vaccines against things, especially since my Lyme specialist told me not to have the flu vaccine because of how my body reacts, but I think this vaccine carries a lot of hope for a hurting world. It is one I hope to be able to get.
Today Joel and I cut each other's hair once again. Definitely not styled....but definitely trimmed and cut. It is amazing what we can do when we need to! What is the worst that can happen? Hair grows....well, not much on the top of Joel's head and not enough on the top of mine since chemo....but all is good.
I have been reading about this flour that is supposed to be tolerated well by those with gluten sensitivities so I decided to order some of it from Sunrise Flour Mill ~ I ordered it and received it in less than 24 hours which blew my mind. It is so costly it should be called "Gold" Meadow flour I, but am looking forward to making some bread with it.....although it has been years since I have made yeast rising bread. I actually made all our bread for a few years, even when I did day care. Then it just got easier to buy it! I think I need to quit watching the British Baking Shows! I want to bake a lot more since tuning in to them......thus the organic heritage wheat flour that is sitting on my counter.
It is always good to hear from people we seldom see. Cards come from Montana, Minnesota, South Carolina, Arizona, Iowa, WI, and a few other places. Catching up is good, although this year we found out that two people we knew from Montana both died in the past 18 months. They were an amazing couple who encouraged and supported Joel/us in his first 3 point parish in Montana. So good, kind, and generous. I am sure their families miss them. We were also able to talk with a long time friend, Marge, whom we met with her husband Dick in Salt Lake City in the early 70's. Another wonderful couple who encouraged and mentored us......So grateful for both these couples and for a long chat with Marge today.
So, giving thanks this week for Heritage Flour, the British Baking Show, old friends and the memories that surround them, fun Christmas masks to wear, the first vaccines, the staff at the Retina clinic, chatting and laughing with family, new hair cuts, and the gifts of the season. So grateful.
Enjoy your weekend!
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