This is the day

You will know that Karen (Mulle) and John Friesen were here this week.  Well, they stayed with us three nights during their NC vacation.  Happily, we secured permission from Andrew Van Cott for them to spend two nights in Montreat at the beginning of their visit. 

Speaking of the Van Cott cabin… apparently it is no longer a cottage!  Andrew often spends his weekends there and loves to “putter” around the place.  To say that he has fixed it up is apparently a huge understatement!  From a one BR cottage (and a sleeping alcove) it has been transformed into a three bedroom (with a large, open room on a second floor) and an extra bath.  When he was describing it, he offered – as he does – to let us use it some time.  Well how about this summer, when all/many of you might visit us?

The tricky part of this super idea is that they (back to John and Karen again) came up with a very intriguing idea of its own!  Seems that their pastor (near Winnipeg, Manitoba, remember?) will be taking a four month sabbatical this summer-fall.  Might we come for even four weeks and “fill the pulpit”?  Wow, too inviting.  I guess that the Mennonites don’t require ordained ministers to preach.  Well, they think it can work and be a great service to a small church community.  When to do it, is the challenge: between ISI national gathering and seeing all of you in NC?

Gotta make this quick, ‘cause the Duke-Louisville game is about to tip-off.  Can’t say that I am particularly optimistic about Duke’s chances.  Does anyone really expect they can stay with Louisville? With talk like that… well, I confess to have gotten myself in trouble of sorts.  With anyone who brings up Duke basketball I have gotten too loose with my opinion, the one about Coach K never trusting some of those talented boys on his bench?  I mean, there is some energy and skill there.  Why won’t he give them chances?  So annoying, been like this for years.

Oops. Coach heard about it, somehow, and found out I was “religious life”.  So, I have been invited, so to speak, to stop by his office later in April.  Woosh.  Any advice?

I am back.  Half time and Duke is hanging in there somehow, since the turnovers are appalling.  Meanwhile your mom is watching… I don’t know what.  What with Rachel leaving her BookNook, Kindle or whatever it is, leaving access to Netflix, and your mom down with a bad cold – she (your mom) has watched all three seasons of Downton Abbey in one week!  Never would have expected it.

All in the spirit of April 1.  Happy Fools' day!