Bumping Into Friends

Yesterday Linda and I celebrated our 32nd anniversary. While we were enjoying dinner at a Healdsburg restaurant, in walked Richard, Nikki, and Bradley Privat. They sat at the next table and we enjoyed talking back and forth. Suddenly Richard leaned in close to tell me some church news. Nikki immediately jumped in to tell him that he could not talk about church things. The whole thing cracked me up. First of all, I wanted to know about the item Richard had to share with me. Second of all I appreciated Nikki's efforts to protect my sabbatical.

Today I worshiped at the Santa Rosa Church. Again I bumped into special friends. The Bresees and Labrucheries were there. And we talked ... LOL. From time to time I hear about the worship services at Santa Rosa. I found the people to be friendly. The music was well done. The praise band had piano, two guitars, a bass,and drums. Four men carried the vocals. The drums did not offend me. I just wish I had known more of the songs -- at least half of them were not familiar to me. I also appreciated the fresh approach Pastor Ron took in his Father's Day message. After taking 10 or 15 minutes to lay the foundations for his message, he invited 4 dads up for a panel discussion. I loved the humor and honesty. And I was touched by the invitation for dads to come forward for a special prayer of blessing.

After the worship service I enjoyed talking with my friend Brad Gienger. He has just been picked up by the Dakota Conference and that is such exciting news. Now they just have to decide if they are going to put him right into a pastorate or send him straight to seminary. Either way, he is a happy man. Especially with his marriage to Kristen just a few weeks away.