Getting Acquainted

Just to put your mind at ease, the music was good today; so was the preaching. Sunday #2 went a lot better. We had Joann come to play and lead music. Joyce helped her sing. We served communion and Trevor preached on "Such a Day as This" from the Book of Esther. He did well. We are trying to get acquainted with everyone and some people seem to delight in making it difficult. We are asking everyone to put on a simple paper name tag; some won't do it. Oh well, eventually it will all come about.

Most of this week has been taken up with working at the church and looking for a place to rent. As for the church, I've been getting acquainted with where things are and with people who drop by; and then also just being there. House hunting is a different matter. We have driven by dozens of places -- and just kept driving. Some were not in a good area, some were too run down, some were on a busy street, some had no parking, and on and on. We toured two and made application for one. We should know by Wednesday if we will get it. It is a two-bedroom duplex in a complex of duplexes and town houses. Nicely landscaped, lots of trees, and quiet. The person on the other side of the duplex is a very elderly single lady. This is the first time we have rented in 17 years. When we first moved to GP we rented for 10 months.

Saturday, a girl in the church got married at her parents home in the country. The former pastor joined them in marriage. The day was hot but it was all under the trees in the shade so was real pleasant. It was planned very well. They had the ceremony in one place, then we walked a short distance, passed the guest book, went through the receiving line, got a cold drink, then found a seat at a round table. When the time came, we were dismissed to go through a buffet line to get our food. While we were waiting and eating, the bride's brother took a microphone to various people who said something nice (or funny) about the bride or groom -- or both. It made the waiting time go by quickly. After the cake cutting, the bride and groom -- assisted by the parents -- brought cake to each of our tables. A nice touch.

Friday we moved from Mallard Creek to Gill's Landing. This is in town so closer to the church and everything else. It is also cheaper -- er... less expensive. It is owned by the City of Lebanon and is very well maintained. The Santiam River, with a real nice beach, is directly across the road. The kids love playing there. The biggest drawback to being here is that we are not in very much shade and it is hot -- supposed to hit 100* in a couple days. But we have air conditioning and are usually down by the river or somewhere around town. My cousin Melode and her husband Ric came to visit today. Saying Melode is my cousin is a way of simplifying it. Her great grandfather and my dad were brothers -- you figure it out. We had a great, but too short, visit. They are on their way to Anaheim for a Creative Memories Convention. Tonight they had to be in -- isn't this ironic? -- Grants Pass! They have a friend there to visit and originally were going to visit us there also. Until we did this Lebanon thing.

So, enjoy your week. Stay cool. We'll try.