Yesterday we sang for the Senior Citizens Christmas party at First Covenant Church in Willmar. We have never been so well-prepared. Why? For one thing, half the songs were from the Compline service that we already sang with the Stadem clan, so they were prepared three weeks ago and just had to remain polished by occasional practice. Most of the others were from years past, so we already knew them and just had to divvy up the parts for the smaller family size. Also, I've made a "To Do Before a Program" list and looked at it several times during the week.
Much of the improvement, however, was due to the simple fact that we are a smaller family now. On Thursday night, while I practiced one song with Sarah, Pete had Andrew and Philip pack up their program clothes. One song! It used to take up to an hour to pack up everyone's clothes, because not only were there three times as many clothes, but it was impossible to do two at a time, much less seven at a time, without losing half or more to play or foolishness or food. Of course we'd try anyway.
While there are aspects of the full house that I miss, getting ready for a program is not one of them.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
Driving Lessons
Yesterday Sarah drove in the Cities for the first time. She's enrolled in a softball batting clinic run by the fast-pitch softball program at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. Pete and I both brought her down so we could spend some time together during the clinic. Sunday afternoon is a great time for the first exposure, though I'm always amazed by the amount of traffic even then. She even got to experience about two minutes of stop-and-go traffic getting onto I-94 East from I-394; I have no idea what could have caused that, as the Vikings lost another game on the road yesterday. Why can't we have Tim Tebow??
Anyway, Pete was talking the whole time as Sarah made her way through the city; he is so good at training by talking through things, and he is so observant of every little detail, both what she is doing right and wrong, and everything that's going on around the car. Sarah learned a great deal in those forty-five minutes, and experienced success as well.
Pete was telling about a friend who can't talk people through things - he has to show them. So when he was teaching his youngest daughter to drive, he wouldn't tell her what to do - he'd grab the steering wheel. After the umpteenth time of this, and promising his daughter he would never take the wheel again, they left their home and within a mile, he had grabbed the wheel again! They turned around and went home, and her mother taught the daughter to drive! It was hilarious the way Pete recounted what his friend had told him....
Joel and Daniel took turns driving the Jones' new car from Phoenix; they reached Liberal, KS on Friday night, stayed with David in Sioux Falls on Saturday night, and came home yesterday. Today Joel will bring it to its rightful owners, but last night on his way home from Willmar he had a scare when a deer jumped out from the treeless ditch. For some reason he had a premonition and was telling himself, "I know there will be a deer," and looking around carefully, but it was so sudden that after braking and honking, he swerved around the deer and barely missed it. Thanks, Lord, for safety for Joel and the deer - and the new car!!
Anyway, Pete was talking the whole time as Sarah made her way through the city; he is so good at training by talking through things, and he is so observant of every little detail, both what she is doing right and wrong, and everything that's going on around the car. Sarah learned a great deal in those forty-five minutes, and experienced success as well.
Pete was telling about a friend who can't talk people through things - he has to show them. So when he was teaching his youngest daughter to drive, he wouldn't tell her what to do - he'd grab the steering wheel. After the umpteenth time of this, and promising his daughter he would never take the wheel again, they left their home and within a mile, he had grabbed the wheel again! They turned around and went home, and her mother taught the daughter to drive! It was hilarious the way Pete recounted what his friend had told him....
Joel and Daniel took turns driving the Jones' new car from Phoenix; they reached Liberal, KS on Friday night, stayed with David in Sioux Falls on Saturday night, and came home yesterday. Today Joel will bring it to its rightful owners, but last night on his way home from Willmar he had a scare when a deer jumped out from the treeless ditch. For some reason he had a premonition and was telling himself, "I know there will be a deer," and looking around carefully, but it was so sudden that after braking and honking, he swerved around the deer and barely missed it. Thanks, Lord, for safety for Joel and the deer - and the new car!!
Monday, December 5, 2011
Working Together
On November 27, the first Sunday in Advent, the Stadem clan led a Compline Advent service at St. John Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, where Mom & Dad Stadem have been members since Dad's last full-time call was there. He's served many congregations as interim pastor since his retirement, but Mom has continued her involvement at St. John and now Dad is the interim associate pastor there. When they first approached all of us with the idea of helping with this service, we were enthused and available - Pete and our family, two of his brothers and their families, and his sister and her family. One brother, who lives in Colorado, wasn't able to make it. When Dad mailed out the bulletin from last year's service, however, I wondered - "Seriously? You want the Stadem clan to do a meditative, contemplative service?" I dropped a couple of suggestions I had in mind for possible songs. Everyone had some contributions to offer - flute, liturgical dance, organ, piano, singing - and the order of service was delivered to the secretary about ten days before the service.
When we arrived in Sioux Falls on Saturday at about 2:30pm, to practice before our Thanksgiving feast, the cousins went wild, as usual. There was whooping and hollering and playing with wheelchairs and disappearing every time they were needed to rehearse. Sixteen of the eighteen grandchildren were present, plus a couple of friends, and every one of them thrilled to the presence of all the rest! All are musical, however, so they picked up the choir pieces, including solo parts, easily. Grandpa Stadem was quite concerned that they would be wild on Sunday, or at least make noise and whisper and disrupt the mood of the congregation. He gave a short speech to that effect, and later confessed to Pete that he had to surrender it to the Lord. "I've done all I can do." I wasn't worried because I have led the Sunday School Christmas program for the last ten years or so, and Saturday morning is always a disaster with no discipline whatsoever, and then the kids look like perfect little angels on Sunday during the program. I figured Stadem grandchildren wouldn't be any different - and in fact, half the kids there have been in my SS Christmas programs!
Everything went smoothly and quietly on Sunday. Some of the highlights were David singing "What Child is This" while Mary danced and Sarah and Rahila played the flute; teenagers singing "Pat-a-Pan" from Sounds Like Love, and the whole group singing "Creature Praise" with the youngest six grandchildren doing solo lines. We were blessed to see Cousin Janelle Swenson who came from Fergus Falls to see and hear us. Many people gave positive comments to us and to the parents in the ensuing days. And Liz, a high school senior this year, said, "It was a lot of fun to work together and not just play. We should do this again!"
When we arrived in Sioux Falls on Saturday at about 2:30pm, to practice before our Thanksgiving feast, the cousins went wild, as usual. There was whooping and hollering and playing with wheelchairs and disappearing every time they were needed to rehearse. Sixteen of the eighteen grandchildren were present, plus a couple of friends, and every one of them thrilled to the presence of all the rest! All are musical, however, so they picked up the choir pieces, including solo parts, easily. Grandpa Stadem was quite concerned that they would be wild on Sunday, or at least make noise and whisper and disrupt the mood of the congregation. He gave a short speech to that effect, and later confessed to Pete that he had to surrender it to the Lord. "I've done all I can do." I wasn't worried because I have led the Sunday School Christmas program for the last ten years or so, and Saturday morning is always a disaster with no discipline whatsoever, and then the kids look like perfect little angels on Sunday during the program. I figured Stadem grandchildren wouldn't be any different - and in fact, half the kids there have been in my SS Christmas programs!
Everything went smoothly and quietly on Sunday. Some of the highlights were David singing "What Child is This" while Mary danced and Sarah and Rahila played the flute; teenagers singing "Pat-a-Pan" from Sounds Like Love, and the whole group singing "Creature Praise" with the youngest six grandchildren doing solo lines. We were blessed to see Cousin Janelle Swenson who came from Fergus Falls to see and hear us. Many people gave positive comments to us and to the parents in the ensuing days. And Liz, a high school senior this year, said, "It was a lot of fun to work together and not just play. We should do this again!"
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Successful Surgery
Dr. Lister feels confident that everything was put back the way it should be in Daniel's forearm. He did find bone in the skin, so it was good that they did the surgery on Thursday instead of waiting. Daniel's on an antibiotic now for a couple of weeks. He's been very lethargic since Sunday evening, and I thought it was a side effect of the drug, but now he's getting better and coughing a little, so it was probably a virus that he caught in Sioux Falls. He came with us but didn't participate in the wonderful Compline service that the Stadem clan led at St. John Lutheran (the Stadem grandparents' church).
We were also concerned because he couldn't bend his thumb or feel part of it, but that is improving as well and the orthopedist said it's normal. So altogether a successful post-op appointment and a good report.
I was very impressed with the emergency room people Wednesday night - their calm cheerfulness and patience. And I was even more impressed with the gracious responses of the surgery crew on Thanksgiving Day - you would think they had nowhere else to go, but most of them were on their way to family gatherings after Daniel's surgery. They were kind, cheerful and competent. Although Daniel had the reaction to anesthesia we've come to expect from certain members of our family - it took over eight hours for him to feel well enough to come home - it was altogether a good experience. Hats off to Rice Hospital!
We were also concerned because he couldn't bend his thumb or feel part of it, but that is improving as well and the orthopedist said it's normal. So altogether a successful post-op appointment and a good report.
I was very impressed with the emergency room people Wednesday night - their calm cheerfulness and patience. And I was even more impressed with the gracious responses of the surgery crew on Thanksgiving Day - you would think they had nowhere else to go, but most of them were on their way to family gatherings after Daniel's surgery. They were kind, cheerful and competent. Although Daniel had the reaction to anesthesia we've come to expect from certain members of our family - it took over eight hours for him to feel well enough to come home - it was altogether a good experience. Hats off to Rice Hospital!
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Giving Thanks (in all circumstances), part 2
We had just returned home from a lovely church service, pie and fellowship aftewards, and an excellent health report from a family friend, when Pete's phone rang and Joel announced, "Daniel broke his arm!" Apparently he'd been swinging from the ceiling at First Covenant Church and went too far, almost horizontal, so when he dropped and put his arm out to break his fall, it did and it broke. We agreed to meet them at the emergency room and when we got there Rocky, the youth group leader, and several friends who had been at the church were there. We went through into the room where Daniel lay, his arm taped to a board and looking odd. He was in a lot of pain - kept gritting his teeth and swallowing hard. The nurses had just finished taking X-rays and were putting pain medications into him through an I-V.
Over the next two hours we waited, the pain lessened as the meds started to work, Dr. Hussein (the ER doctor) informed us that both bones had broken into pieces, requiring surgery, and that Dr. Lister was willing to do it on Friday morning. Pete felt uneasy and asked why wait? Dr. H. explained that everyone should enjoy their holiday. He went on, "Of course, if it had been an open fracture, where the bone went through the skin, it would have to be done right away." I said, "It's bleeding." After he checked it further, he determined that it was an open fracture (had gone through the skin), so we couldn't wait until Friday but needed to have surgery as soon as possible to reduce the risk of a bone infection .
Dr. Hussein proceeded to "reduce" Daniel's arm - straighten it out by shaking his hand and pulling the bones into place as best he could. Oh, that hurt - Daniel was very brave, and only grunted. They had given him a much stronger medication in advance of this. The team wrapped the arm in various bandages, then put a temporary cast in place and held the arm bent and across Daniel's chest while it hardened.
Now the doctor mentioned that because of the complexity of this surgery, we might want to consider an orthopedic traumatologist instead of the orthopedic surgeon. After talking with Dr. Mark and with Dr. Lister himself, Pete came in and we decided that if St. Cloud had a traumatologist, we would go there, because that type of specialist would have more experience with this particular problem, though it sounded like Dr. Lister would be perfectly competent. Obviously, going to St. Cloud would be a much bigger hassle, and who knows for how long or how many follow-up appointments and therapy and such? We prayed that if Dr. Lister could do the job, it wouldn't work out to go to St. Cloud. Eventually, we found out that there are no traumatologists there, so we decided to stay here.
I'm currently in the surgery waiting area while Daniel undergoes the hours-long procedure. Pastor Mary's sermon last night was about the ten lepers, and how, although God was at work in all of their lives, only one saw it and gave thanks. She challenged us to look at our lives in terms of how the Lord is working. Here are the ways I see Him having worked in this event:
1. This is the best day of the whole year to sit in the hospital. We have no commitments; the family gathering isn't until Saturday; a guest we had invited for today wasn't able to make it; I had already planned to cancel school because Michelle & David are home.
2. Dr. Hussein said what he did about the open fracture, and I thought to say what I did about the bleeding; otherwise, it's possible we'd have dealt with a bone infection.
3. We didn't go to St. Cloud, and I believe God guided that decision.
4. We prayed with the kids before leaving home, and have called people to pray.
5. Daniel landed on his arm and broke it, not on his back and broke it.
I pray that Daniel will be able to see what the Lord is doing in his life during these next weeks of recovery, and to give thanks even in these circumstances.
Over the next two hours we waited, the pain lessened as the meds started to work, Dr. Hussein (the ER doctor) informed us that both bones had broken into pieces, requiring surgery, and that Dr. Lister was willing to do it on Friday morning. Pete felt uneasy and asked why wait? Dr. H. explained that everyone should enjoy their holiday. He went on, "Of course, if it had been an open fracture, where the bone went through the skin, it would have to be done right away." I said, "It's bleeding." After he checked it further, he determined that it was an open fracture (had gone through the skin), so we couldn't wait until Friday but needed to have surgery as soon as possible to reduce the risk of a bone infection .
Dr. Hussein proceeded to "reduce" Daniel's arm - straighten it out by shaking his hand and pulling the bones into place as best he could. Oh, that hurt - Daniel was very brave, and only grunted. They had given him a much stronger medication in advance of this. The team wrapped the arm in various bandages, then put a temporary cast in place and held the arm bent and across Daniel's chest while it hardened.
Now the doctor mentioned that because of the complexity of this surgery, we might want to consider an orthopedic traumatologist instead of the orthopedic surgeon. After talking with Dr. Mark and with Dr. Lister himself, Pete came in and we decided that if St. Cloud had a traumatologist, we would go there, because that type of specialist would have more experience with this particular problem, though it sounded like Dr. Lister would be perfectly competent. Obviously, going to St. Cloud would be a much bigger hassle, and who knows for how long or how many follow-up appointments and therapy and such? We prayed that if Dr. Lister could do the job, it wouldn't work out to go to St. Cloud. Eventually, we found out that there are no traumatologists there, so we decided to stay here.
I'm currently in the surgery waiting area while Daniel undergoes the hours-long procedure. Pastor Mary's sermon last night was about the ten lepers, and how, although God was at work in all of their lives, only one saw it and gave thanks. She challenged us to look at our lives in terms of how the Lord is working. Here are the ways I see Him having worked in this event:
1. This is the best day of the whole year to sit in the hospital. We have no commitments; the family gathering isn't until Saturday; a guest we had invited for today wasn't able to make it; I had already planned to cancel school because Michelle & David are home.
2. Dr. Hussein said what he did about the open fracture, and I thought to say what I did about the bleeding; otherwise, it's possible we'd have dealt with a bone infection.
3. We didn't go to St. Cloud, and I believe God guided that decision.
4. We prayed with the kids before leaving home, and have called people to pray.
5. Daniel landed on his arm and broke it, not on his back and broke it.
I pray that Daniel will be able to see what the Lord is doing in his life during these next weeks of recovery, and to give thanks even in these circumstances.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Give Thanks (in all circumstances)
Friday night as we ate supper with our friends in Bloomington, we reflected on the day. Everyone had a horrible one! One daughter missed out on a part in the school play; the dad had to bring money to another daughter whose friend wanted to go home from an event unless they could buy tickets to do stuff. One 6-month-old son had a piece of metal equipment fall on his head during a photo shoot. And another dad had to work late and miss our meeting. Pete & I were late to supper because there was traffic in the Cities, and because when we were supposed to leave at 4, I was just arriving home to pack. Here's why:
Philip and I arrived at Runnings to pick up a donation for the benefit on Sunday. I waited several minutes while the clerk tried to figure out what Mike, who was out to lunch, wanted to give. I finally agreed to come back on my way out of town, when he might be back. I had a premonition already; as we left the parking lot, I said to Philip, "I hope the whole trip isn't going to be like this." I had three errands I wanted to complete before dropping Philip off to spend the night with cousins.
Philip had unexpectedly earned $10, so he was going to buy our snack and chose Arby's. We waited in the drive-thru line for a couple of minutes until a server came out and said the drive-thru was broken and we could just drive around to the window and order. After waiting for the two cards ahead of us and ordering our food, the guy at the window said they were waiting for fresh potato cakes so we should pull ahead and they would bring our order out. By this time, I just laughed and told Philip, "I knew this would happen. I'd better figure out what I really need to get, because I'm not going to accomplish anything extra, I can see that already!"
While in line, I called Yvonne to see if I could meet her somewhere to give her a gift for a baby shower I'd miss the next day. She was at home, so I'd have to swing by her place (3-5 miles out of the way) on the way home. The Wal-Mart stop went smoothly (Surprise!), and I brought Philip to the church parking lot where we were to meet my sister-in-law. We waited several minutes for her, and it turned out that, for the first time ever (of course!), her daughter was waylaid by some friends on her way out of school and she was late. I chuckled and told them the story of my trip so far.
Alone now, I headed back to Runnings, where Mike still hadn't returned. I waited several minutes before they told me he was on his way. He arrived, very apologetic that he'd forgotten to set the donation aside. He gave me a nice fishing rod and reel, and another clerk said she wanted to donate an electric knife, and out the door I went. After stopping at the church to drop off donations, driving to Yvonne's house to drop off the gift, I arrived home at exactly 4:00, when we should have been on the road.
Occasionally everything will go right on a trip and I'll get much more done than I thought possible. I think this trip, the exact opposite, was a test, and I think I passed it! I was cheerful and patient and willing to drop half my desired errands. Thanks, Lord, for giving me perspective.
Philip and I arrived at Runnings to pick up a donation for the benefit on Sunday. I waited several minutes while the clerk tried to figure out what Mike, who was out to lunch, wanted to give. I finally agreed to come back on my way out of town, when he might be back. I had a premonition already; as we left the parking lot, I said to Philip, "I hope the whole trip isn't going to be like this." I had three errands I wanted to complete before dropping Philip off to spend the night with cousins.
Philip had unexpectedly earned $10, so he was going to buy our snack and chose Arby's. We waited in the drive-thru line for a couple of minutes until a server came out and said the drive-thru was broken and we could just drive around to the window and order. After waiting for the two cards ahead of us and ordering our food, the guy at the window said they were waiting for fresh potato cakes so we should pull ahead and they would bring our order out. By this time, I just laughed and told Philip, "I knew this would happen. I'd better figure out what I really need to get, because I'm not going to accomplish anything extra, I can see that already!"
While in line, I called Yvonne to see if I could meet her somewhere to give her a gift for a baby shower I'd miss the next day. She was at home, so I'd have to swing by her place (3-5 miles out of the way) on the way home. The Wal-Mart stop went smoothly (Surprise!), and I brought Philip to the church parking lot where we were to meet my sister-in-law. We waited several minutes for her, and it turned out that, for the first time ever (of course!), her daughter was waylaid by some friends on her way out of school and she was late. I chuckled and told them the story of my trip so far.
Alone now, I headed back to Runnings, where Mike still hadn't returned. I waited several minutes before they told me he was on his way. He arrived, very apologetic that he'd forgotten to set the donation aside. He gave me a nice fishing rod and reel, and another clerk said she wanted to donate an electric knife, and out the door I went. After stopping at the church to drop off donations, driving to Yvonne's house to drop off the gift, I arrived home at exactly 4:00, when we should have been on the road.
Occasionally everything will go right on a trip and I'll get much more done than I thought possible. I think this trip, the exact opposite, was a test, and I think I passed it! I was cheerful and patient and willing to drop half my desired errands. Thanks, Lord, for giving me perspective.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Another Busy Weekend
Today (Monday) I haven't been doing much - just the basics (teaching, essential housekeeping and making meals). I think it's because the weekend took a lot out of me and I don't have much energy for productive endeavors. This is my day of rest.
On Friday morning, Sarah and I went in to Herberger's Community Days to shop this great sale and use our $10 off coupons. Unfortunately, 80% of the sale items don't qualify for the coupon, but we finally found things we were happy to buy. Friday afternoon Pete got new poults, so I had to take Sarah to Cologne (about 90 minutes away) to meet up with Uncle Tom and his Sounds Like Love group from Sioux Falls - they brought Sarah the rest of the way to St. Andrew's Lutheran in Mahtomedi for this Christian singing and dancing event. When I returned home, I made a steak dinner to celebrate Joel and Daniel's 19th birthday; we 'd already given them their present.
On Saturday morning I woke Joel and Daniel and we went in to Herberger's, JC Penney's and Target and found good clothes and shoes for the boys - another birthday present. They will look sharp now! Back at home I helped Andrew and Philip complete everyone's Saturday chores - another birthday present - and made caramel bars for their bonfire party that night - another birthday present. Pete and I went to the YMCA to lift weights and picked up a few groceries before heading back home again, where he helped with the party and I got ready for Sunday's church and travel. Although Michelle was planning to pick Sarah up at the softball clinic, she wasn't sure she could get to the Sounds Like Love concert in time to bring Sarah to the clinic, so I had decided to go.
Sunday morning Joel wasn't feeling well, but everyone went to Sunday School and church anyway. Before departure, I had to get food ready for the Luther League potluck; gather the music, reading material, Sarah's suitcase and bat and flute and homeschool books; remind Andrew to get what he needed for the trip; eat, shower and get ready for church myself.
At church, I had to lead Sunday School music, practice with Eddie for his trombone solo, talk to several people about different things, figure out what to play for prelude, and then play for the worship service and make an announcement about choir practice. After one of the shortest postludes I've ever played, Andrew and I hopped in the car, stopped at home to pick up a couple of forgotten items, and were on our way. Fortunately, Mapquest allowed extra time for city traffic (I suppose) and instead of arriving at 2:30, we arrived at 2:10, even with a short stop for gas and food. We found the cousins and thoroughly enjoyed the concert by 200+ students, including Sarah and cousins Liz, Rachel and Nathan, led by John Jacobson and a fabulous jazz band. The choreography made it fun to watch and the band made it fun to listen to.
Sarah and I sped off to the clinic, leaving Andrew to go home with the Coats family so he could have some cousin time. Once again, Mapquest overestimated, and gave perfect directions, so we arrived at the University of St. Thomas with fifteen minutes to spare. I looked at a Christmas catalog and visited and walked with another mom, Linda, until the clinic was over and Michelle arrived. We went to Fuddrucker's and had yummy burgers, then hugged and I went to the Coats house. Mary and I discussed the Compline service that the whole Stadem clan will lead on the first Sunday in Advent, following which Andrew and I left for home. He entertained me most of the way with his thoughts, observations and knowledge. Nevertheless, I was exhausted when we entered the immaculate house - thanks Pete, Joel, Daniel and Philip! I went straight to bed and have been dragging around the house most of today.
When we signed Sarah up for this clinic, we agreed that we would take our Sabbath from Saturday noon to Sunday noon on weekends when she had the clinic. We didn't do it this weekend because we had to go in for Sounds Like Love anyway, but I can see that it will be very important to be disciplined about resting before traveling to the Cities on a Sunday!
On Friday morning, Sarah and I went in to Herberger's Community Days to shop this great sale and use our $10 off coupons. Unfortunately, 80% of the sale items don't qualify for the coupon, but we finally found things we were happy to buy. Friday afternoon Pete got new poults, so I had to take Sarah to Cologne (about 90 minutes away) to meet up with Uncle Tom and his Sounds Like Love group from Sioux Falls - they brought Sarah the rest of the way to St. Andrew's Lutheran in Mahtomedi for this Christian singing and dancing event. When I returned home, I made a steak dinner to celebrate Joel and Daniel's 19th birthday; we 'd already given them their present.
On Saturday morning I woke Joel and Daniel and we went in to Herberger's, JC Penney's and Target and found good clothes and shoes for the boys - another birthday present. They will look sharp now! Back at home I helped Andrew and Philip complete everyone's Saturday chores - another birthday present - and made caramel bars for their bonfire party that night - another birthday present. Pete and I went to the YMCA to lift weights and picked up a few groceries before heading back home again, where he helped with the party and I got ready for Sunday's church and travel. Although Michelle was planning to pick Sarah up at the softball clinic, she wasn't sure she could get to the Sounds Like Love concert in time to bring Sarah to the clinic, so I had decided to go.
Sunday morning Joel wasn't feeling well, but everyone went to Sunday School and church anyway. Before departure, I had to get food ready for the Luther League potluck; gather the music, reading material, Sarah's suitcase and bat and flute and homeschool books; remind Andrew to get what he needed for the trip; eat, shower and get ready for church myself.
At church, I had to lead Sunday School music, practice with Eddie for his trombone solo, talk to several people about different things, figure out what to play for prelude, and then play for the worship service and make an announcement about choir practice. After one of the shortest postludes I've ever played, Andrew and I hopped in the car, stopped at home to pick up a couple of forgotten items, and were on our way. Fortunately, Mapquest allowed extra time for city traffic (I suppose) and instead of arriving at 2:30, we arrived at 2:10, even with a short stop for gas and food. We found the cousins and thoroughly enjoyed the concert by 200+ students, including Sarah and cousins Liz, Rachel and Nathan, led by John Jacobson and a fabulous jazz band. The choreography made it fun to watch and the band made it fun to listen to.
Sarah and I sped off to the clinic, leaving Andrew to go home with the Coats family so he could have some cousin time. Once again, Mapquest overestimated, and gave perfect directions, so we arrived at the University of St. Thomas with fifteen minutes to spare. I looked at a Christmas catalog and visited and walked with another mom, Linda, until the clinic was over and Michelle arrived. We went to Fuddrucker's and had yummy burgers, then hugged and I went to the Coats house. Mary and I discussed the Compline service that the whole Stadem clan will lead on the first Sunday in Advent, following which Andrew and I left for home. He entertained me most of the way with his thoughts, observations and knowledge. Nevertheless, I was exhausted when we entered the immaculate house - thanks Pete, Joel, Daniel and Philip! I went straight to bed and have been dragging around the house most of today.
When we signed Sarah up for this clinic, we agreed that we would take our Sabbath from Saturday noon to Sunday noon on weekends when she had the clinic. We didn't do it this weekend because we had to go in for Sounds Like Love anyway, but I can see that it will be very important to be disciplined about resting before traveling to the Cities on a Sunday!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)