When Life Gives You Lemons...

On April 15, Bruce and I unexpectedly found ourselves back in the U.S.  We believe that God’s plan was for us to have stayed in Jamaica for years.  But the proverbial rug was pulled out from under us and we had to quickly decide where to live and what to do next.  We found an apartment in Wayzata, MN, where I grew up.  We have spent eight months struggling with a lot of sadness and confusion.

At the same time, I’m trying to “make lemonade” by enjoying the experiences around me right now, and doing some things I never got around to doing.  So, over the past several months, I:

Shopped at Treasure City

Took an accordion lesson from Bob

Went to the Mall of America

Stopped in to see my son, Ben, at work

Rode with Bruce on his bus route

Learned how to butcher chickens

Have enjoyed worshipping at one of our favorite churches

Ate an award-winning cupcake at "Cupcake"

Kept up with DWTS

Ate fresh trout for breakfast

Enjoyed living on a lake again

Went to the Guthrie!

Visited Iowa

Had fun at the Irish Fair

Learned how to bake artisan bread from Jennie Menke

Learned how to kayak, and chased Loons with Joan

Saw our state flower at the Arboretum

Greeted Mary Tyler Moore

Saw the World's Largest Muskie

Went to the eighth-grade graduation of former students

Visited our old neighborhood (and the neighbor's orchard)

Went to a concert by the Plymouth Rockers, my mom's former choir

Participated in "Revive Twin Cities"

Relaxed at the Salonek's cabin

 Got to be here for Sadie's and Sarah's graduation parties

Practiced with my cousin Scott, who's in a real band

Saw the super-moon at cousin Patti's cabin



Got too close to a snapper

Worked at the State Fair

Declared our eclectic support for Mayer Lutheran, POWs, German music, and roller derby
(thanks to Jim Strehlke for loaning us his van)

Became a classroom teacher again

Cheered at a Viterbo volleyball tournament

Attended a Wayzata City Council meeting

Played on a worship team

Made Christmas cookies with my sister


Looking forward to more opportunities in 2015!