CARMEN LEE--LIFE IS NOT A VACATION, IT IS A JOURNEY

Day 31, "Every picture has a story"

Bergen Church was THE spiritual hub of our childhood.  Was it perfect, of course not.  Rev M. was an interesting guy and I think he loved the Lord but was he in the spirit, I will not make a judgment! But "for sure" the church was the beginning of my spiritual journey.  There are so many many things that I could write about.  Among them are:

• My talk about the power of prayer when I was in HS.
• The fall celebrations where we could purchase ice cream etc for 5 cents!
• The every other Sunday School classes that took place in the basement.  Our teacher was often Mom.
• The confirmation classes where we were required to answer questions in front of the adults.  Without missing a beat I could recite the books of the Bible forward and backwards!
• Ringing the bell by pulling the rope in the bell tower.
• Christmas program practice EVERY Saturday in December.
• Sitting in church with our hands folded just as Dad did!
• Challenging  Chuckie J. to see who could open the song book up closest to the right page!
• Exchanging gifts after our Christmas program.
• Listening to Dad as the church elders came around to collect the yearly church dues!
• Playing tag in the cemetery.
• Going to Luther League meetings once a month.
• Etc. Etc.

Sadly today there is no church there, only the bell remains and of course the graves.  Of the people that were important to me buried there are Mom, Dad, Ronald, Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Halvor, Aunt Elta and perhaps more.  Sister Janet is buried in Kulm and I have never visited her grave.  I wold like to some day.

I wandered over to the courts today but did not play.  Perhaps a day of rest is good.  Not much happening this week.  As I look at the calendar I see that next week it is time to remember Janet and to get Travis's birthday card in the mail.

It is now PM and I am totally finished with my FP.