Good Sunday to you on this partly cloudy fall day here in Iowa where we have lived for 26 1/2 years. How did that happen? We enjoy our neighbors and community here in Mason City, and as sojourners are settled in as much as we know how to do, but we do miss Minnesota lakes, loons, and vivid northern lights.....and a few people too (ha)! Being ex-military and retired from ministry, we still call Minnesota "home". There was always home to go back to when we were living out west or overseas. Vacations were mostly spent going "home" to see family when you were moving at the military's orders. And when Joel was a pastor, we moved about every 6 1/2 years until we were called here to northern Iowa. Then things changed.....and even in retirement, we still live here, for a number of reasons.
This reflecting all came up for me after talking to my friend Lana yesterday about our history and the plans we had as young adults. Joel and I both wanted to be in the mission field, following in the footsteps of his second cousin David Simonson who served in Tanzania for 50 years until his death. He is buried on land given to him and his family by the Masai tribe. I started thinking about missions when I was around 13, long before I knew Joel. I would look at photos of a missionary family posted on the bulletin board at our church. They were in Brazil and I would wonder what it was like to be there. Joel grew up hearing about his second cousin and the work he was doing in Africa. It became our dream..............and then life shifted our plans. Joel was drafted...........eight years of military ..............seminary...........and Montana called us. And the idea of putting our kids in boarding schools did not fit for us.....so it never happened. We talked of going when our kids were all grown and living their own lives but then sickness and other things interfered. So here we are. Still living in Iowa but missing our "home" state at times.....and thinking periodically about the "what if" of the missionary life we once desired. Isn't life what happens when you are making other plans? But God has blessed our lives, we have met many amazing people while livingn in 7 states and one third world country. And Iowa is the home now where we lay our heads at night.
Speaking of home, with Fall hanging around, I have taken out our Fall decorations for inside and out. It is my favorite time of year..........as anyone who has read my blog knows, I love the colors, smells, weather, and so much more about this season. Could it last a little longer, Lord?
Has anyone else watched the endless coverage of Queen Elisabeth's death and soon to be funeral? The world over we are fascinated by her 70 years as queen. I honestly don't think we grasp the significance of her legacy or her passing here in America. We don't have a Monarchy, nor Kings or Queens, but I do find it all impressive and intriguing. I wonder what their future holds. What happens there, sends ripples across the world. We are all connected.
Friday Joel and I baked apple crisp from the apples Joel brings home from his bike rides. He goes through the college campus and there are apple trees, at least one, and no one picks the apples so he brings home a few in the fall and we cook them into something good. He has been getting in some rides again lately. Saturday morning he rode with a few from our church to Clear Lake where they ate breakfast before heading back. The ride was less than 20 miles and in nice weather. After lunch that same day we headed to a town NE of us for their Fall Festival. We walked around for an hour checking out the vendors but did not buy anything, but we got out and got some exercise. A win, win. Last Sunday we drove to Clear Lake for a satellite service of Lutheran Church of Hope and then headed to the lake for a walk before going to the local mercantile and purchasing two mum plants. They have a nice variety and are quite inexpensive. Mums, fall decorations, and soon to be pumpkins on our porch steps are sure signs of Fall!
So today I am giving thanks for Fall descending on us, for trips to the lake, worship at Hope via live stream, phone calls from our kids, our oldest's surgery and recovery going well, memories that make us smile and make us ponder, all our experiences and adventures as military and in ministry. Grateful for our grands and how well they are all doing. Grateful for walks and bike rides, our home state and our present home, the Queen and her legacy and all we are learning by watching the coverage. Grateful for every sunrise and sunset that graces Joel and my lives together. Grateful for apple trees and apple crisp. Grateful for family and friends and so much more..................
Enjoy your week!
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