An evening with the boys, Essence 2 concert, visiting Dad Stauffers, Christmas beauty

Another weekend is here and I haven't even written about last weekend!  

Last Friday evening was GBRV's monthly spaghetti supper, and as we often do, we took Austin and Hunter with us.  There was also a cookie sale, so in addition to the regular cake dessert that goes with the spaghetti meal, we of course had to buy some of those delicious cookies.  SO MUCH SUGAR!  If only it gave me as much energy as it gives those boys, haha!  We brought them here afterward until Lori came for them.  That marble roller just never gets old.  There are so many different ways to put it together.

On Saturday I worked on the Christmas tree and other decorations.  I love the peaceful feeling that the tree seems to bring.  

At 4:00 on Saturday there was a concert at a church in downtown State College that I was NOT going to miss.  Essence 2 Choir, Essence of Joy Alumni Singers, and The Capital Area Music Association (from Harrisburg) together presented the musical Born to Die.  Oh. My. Goodness!!!  I truly could hardly contain all my emotions.  The music was beyond spectacular, the message of the songs was SO powerful, the narrators were dramatic and effective.  My only regret was that I was not sitting next to anyone I knew.  I really didn't want to grab the hand of the man next to me when I was deeply moved, hahaha!!

On Sunday Dick and I left after our service at GBRV and headed toward Lancaster County.  We wanted to visit his parents in their new apartment.  However, Dick wanted to make a stop on the way there.  He had left his beloved water thermos at the hunting cabin the other Monday and he wanted to pick it up.  The cabin is in Juniata County, and only about 15 minutes off the main highway that we travel.  I had not been to the cabin for over ten years!  His brothers Jim and Fred own it.  Here are some pictures I took.

Unfortunately he could not find his thermos, so we left without it.  Big disappointment.  Later he was able to get in touch with his brother Jim who said he had put it in the shed, since he wasn't sure if Dick had a key for the cabin.  So on our way home that evening we stopped again and that time he found it!

As I mentioned in one of my Thanksgiving weekend posts, the day after Thanksgiving was moving day for Dad Stauffer and Arlene.  Dick helped, as did his brothers and other family members.  They moved to an apartment at Pleasant View Retirement Community near Manheim.  I was very eager to see it. And also to find out how they are handling the changes.  I thought it was so cute that they both were wearing paisley that day!  They had gone to their home church that morning.  Arlene still drives. 

Here's a view of the exterior of the enormous complex.  Also their little kitchen, their bedroom, and Dick and Dad sitting in those familiar chairs.  Their living room felt very much like the one at their house in the woods.

Here's the view from their windows.

When I asked Arlene how she's feeling about everything, she said, "Well my answer is different today than it would have been three days ago." So many new things!  While we were there I helped her to figure out some of the controls on her stove and overhead microwave.  Dick helped her to determine what all the many light switches were for.   I think they will really like it there.  It's a beautiful place with many people they know and so many activities to participate in.  

Our next stop was at Sam's apartment in Duncannon.  I had made chili on Saturday evening that we brought along.  I heated that and put all the fixin's in an assembly line on the counter.  I guess I was busy, because the only picture I took was this one.  

After everything was cleaned up we said our goodbyes and headed toward home, stopping again at the hunting cabin on our way.  I think we were home by 8:30.  Not bad at all.

On Monday morning I worked at getting things cleaned up from my Christmas decorating.  When I was finished I put one of my favorite Christmas CDs on and took the little video.

I haven't taken any pictures this week.  I've been busy with all the normal things - choosing the songs for Sunday morning, prepping the musician notebooks, cooking for Anthony and Lori's family, helping with picking up the boys, grocery shopping, Wednesday Advent service, choir practice on Thursday evening. 

And speaking of the choir, this is the big week for us.  We've been working on the cantata Messiah Heaven's Glory since September.  On Sunday at 4:00 we will present it, and we'll have a potluck supper afterward.  There are 21 of us altogether.  This cantata has a nice variety of songs - familiar carols, a bit of Handel's Messiah, and some contemporary praise and worship favorites, Chris Tomlin's He Shall Reign Forevermore and Ben Fielding's What a Beautiful Name.  I appreciate the choir so much.  They are really committed to the choir and are a great support to each other and to me. 

Well, that's all for this time.  Have a great weekend!