Pastor Patricia’s Pauses

Well, we made it through January and spring is just around the corner. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that I don’t like snow. I just don’t like it all the time. The older I get the more I understand why snowbirds go south right after Christmas.

My family and I are all settled into the newly remodeled parsonage. Randy Bettes, Jo’s husband, did a phenomenal job bringing life back into this older home. We absolutely love it and are very grateful for all the hard work Randy, Jo and the church has done. Our dog, Calvin, really loves the back yard and stands at the edge of the patio like a sentinel guarding his territory. The twins love their hang out downstairs, complete with separate bedrooms, a bathroom and a TV room where they can watch their shows or play their games. There is plenty of space upstairs for Patrick and me to spread out and not get into each other’s space. Overall, it is a lovely place to call home.

As I write this, I’m thinking about our returning to in person worship on Feb. 7. We will also be doing Holy Communion as it is the first Sunday of the month. I wish we could do a coffee hour, but that is still on the “no” list. With the vaccine coming out, we can now begin to see the light at the end of this very long, dark tunnel. I am one for sure that will get the vaccine when it is my turn. I hope most or all of you do, too.

My Facebook reading and sermon has reached more people than I ever thought it would. There are many people who live out of state that watch it pretty regularly. And considering there will be people who are nervous about coming back to in person worship – I have decided to continue to post on Facebook. A huge thank you goes out to Jackie Zufall who has religiously reposted my post to the church’s Facebook page.

Speaking of gratitude….I’m also very grateful for Rick and Anita Hollan who helped take down the Christmas decorations, the rectangular tables and replaced them with the round tables. Between the four of us (including my husband, who I drug along!) we were able to be done with that job in about an hour.

As we start into the month of February, I pray that we continue to love on each other as often as we can. I look forward to seeing your smiling faces back in the pews as I know that preaching will be a lot easier when there are people to preach to! Until then, hug your family. Hug your dog or cat. Know that you are blessed!