Subject: Weekend Update: September 18-19
Date:    Mon 9/21/98  8:57am

On Saturday, we hosted the choir picnic. The picnic was graced by
exceptional weather and the food was well-received.  The only
disappointments of the day were a few of the horseshoe teams (like
mine) that got humiliated in front of a crowd.  Robert Linton is a
"ringer" in every sense of the word, at one time throwing four ringers
in a row!  It was like letting MacGwire or Sosa play in a little
league game.

Jessica and Emily spent their weekend first overnight Friday at the
district camp and then ascending Mount Manadanock on Saturday.  As the
bus brought the kids back to the church, they passed within two blocks
of our house but did not let our kids off!  We have to give them a
pass this time because we did not give our permission to drop them off
on the street, but they have it hereafter! whenever they are within a
MILE of home, rather than send us 22 minutes (each way) to the church
to retrieve our children.

Fortunately, the brain was working on Saturday and we had food left
over from the picnic.  I told Emily to ask some of the parents picking
up their kids if they would like dinner in exchange for bringing the
kids home!  The Magnusons took up the offer, with the tag-along of Tim
White.  The pool did get used that day, but not by any of the choir.
Asked how the water was, they understated the obvious that it was
"pret-ty chil-ly."

Hey, do you remember the trouble and angst we went through to get our
house?  Well, I'll tell you that the former owners and we are finding
more opportunities for socializing.  The kids get along well at
school, (being the same age for Em and Andrew).  I met Brian at the
local supermarket on Primary Day (last Tuesday).  I asked if they
wanted to play some cards that evening and he turned the invitation on
me and asked us to come over to their new house.  We did and played
"Liverpool" which is VERY much like Toonerville Rook.  They have done
a spectacular job with what was a house in ruin but now is one of the
nicest houses in Pepperell.  I still feel a little residual discomfort
[over those events] but I'm working on it. I wonder if he does, too.
The wives and children seem to have none of it left. But I am pleased
by these opportunities to put faith into practice.  Forgiveness beats
bitterness, hands down.

Mark
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