Here's To Life!

Confirmation For many of us, confirmation meant an extra class at church every week for two or three years, sermon notes, and an examination by the church council either publicly in church or at a council meeting.   Robes, pictures, corsages, hair dos, new dresses or suits for the big day.    While going through confirmation we were also asked to acolyte on a regular basis, if we were lucky we went on a confirmation retreat.    My 8 th grade confirmation class consisted of 27 kids – 17 boys and 10 girls.   We met each week after school at church for instruction – which was probably just as hard for my dad, who was the pastor, as it was for all of us.   27 squirrelly kids can be exhausting.   My dad expected sermon notes – and to his credit, read them all, commented on them and handed them back to us.   After confirmation Sunday, of the 27 kids in my confirmation class only about 10 of us stayed involved in church, becoming the nucleus o...

Both of these pictures are from my 8th grade year.  The top one is my confirmation class from St. John's Lutheran Church in Jersey City.  The other picture is my 8th grade graduation class from the Lutheran Parochial School in Jersey City.  I pulled out my confirmation picture the other day for an article I wrote for my church newsletter on confirmation and scanned it to put in the newsletter.  The graduation picture was next in my photo album so thought it would be fun to scan that as well.  Such a contrast between my two 8th grade classes - in church and in school.  I never really thought about the fact that my Sunday school class was bigger than my grade school class.  I was the new person in each group too - just having moved to Jersey City the summer before my 8th grade year began.  Lots of differences from my life in Aurora - it was hard being the new kid.  Plus, I am an introvert - I was shy and it was tough fitting in.  I am...

Well, what a way to end the summer.  Had some pain in my wrist - went to the doctor right away - since I had a feeling it was carpal tunnel syndrome.  Turns out, yes, that was it.  So a brace for my left hand - to be worn 24/7 for the most part for a few weeks - and then at least at night after that.  I have been good about wearing the brace and my hand feels much better.  Still wearing the brace at night - will continue to do that for a while. The Sunday before school started was a hot Sunday - we had an outdoor worship service and a picnic outside afterwards.  It was a nice day - but hot.  Came home and sat in the coolness.  Monday morning - the first day of school - I just did not feel well.  I was subbing for Richard though - who had been sick for the past week - so made it in to school.  At first I thought I had the flu - and not the 24 hour kind - I just couldn't seem to shake whatever it was I had.  I got through the days -...