A Sunny Salem Sunday

Time for the 10:00 service to begin

Once a year we hold a Sunday morning service at Salem Lutheran Church, eight miles south-west of Torquay,  just two miles north of the Johnson farm.  Yesterday was the service for 2011.  It was a very warm day, but a morning breeze made for a very comfortable sanctuary with a nice gathering of people from Estevan, Torquay and our family members from Milestone, Weyburn and Lampman.
The service was conducted by lay people with Vickie Skjonsby leading the service and Linda (Tenold) Hanson reading the message provided by Pastor Glen Johnson, formerly of Torquay.  Our grandchildren did the readings, with Kirk helping out on the long one from Exodus.  They look forward to taking part, and I was pleased to see that they were following along in the bulletin as the other cousins were reading.

Kirk, Lindsay and Carter reading the first lesson

Gail Fonstad sharing a children's story

Abbey sharing the second lesson

Salem altar

Eric and Dawson reading the gospel for the day

Lawrence and Howard visiting after the service

After the service several familes stayed to enjoy our picnic lunches.  It was very windy outside in the shade so we ended up going back into the church to have our lunch there.  So we were fed both spiritually and physically in Salem sanctuary.

Fun in Stepp's Ranger

We went back to the farm and the guys went golfing in Crosby along with neighbour Jason Stepp.  Teresa, Miles and Gage spent the afternoon with us at the farm.  The kids enjoyed getting rides with Miles in their Ranger, two at a time as it has seatbelts for three.

Jamie and Grandma sampling the ice cream

 We made ice cream in the afternoon, couldn't wait for it to harden up so had soft ice cream with the cupcakes that the girls iced and decorated with sprinkles.

Then Kirk barbecued M & M hamburgers to have with homemade buns, potato salad, beans, veggies and dip and All Dressler flavoured potato chips.  Watermelon was our dessert.

Supper line-up

After supper most of the family headed for home.  Kirk's took Howard back to Estevan so that saved me a trip.  I don't think I will try taking him home when I am alone.  He fell several times when he was home and had also fallen at St. Joseph's last week.  That fall resulted in several stitches on his forehead. He is on the list to get fitted for a walker so we hope that will help him somewhat.

We always miss Todd and Kristy in our family get togethers but we were able to chat with them on the phone on the weekend so that brings them closer.  Then Todd surprised us with a song that he had written so we can play it on the computer whenever we get lonesome for his voice.  They are excited about their new Ikea kitchen that is in the process of getting installed.  They worked on assembling cupboards this weekend so now the carpenter is busy installing them.  By next weekend, they may have a  useable kitchen again!

Well, Shauna was doing apples this morning so I think I should get at that job too, after I've had my lunch.  I'll heat up a leftover hamburger and have some veggies along with it.  I have a half watermelon left so I guess I better have that for dessert and not a bowl of ice cream!  That reminds me, I got a free container of ice cream at M&M Meats when I spent $40.  Here's a picture of Ashley enjoying her Chocolate Rush cone.  Have a great week!  (and thanks to Laurel and Shauna for supplying the pictures for my blog)

"This cone is yummy!"