To My Dear First Family,
On July 4th, 1985, I flew to Lincoln from the Los Angeles area to work on a new project Nebraska Book Company (NBC) was starting. They were entering the world of providing software to college booksttore textbook departments to use to order and maintain inventory. After that was finished, I was to return to the Orange County location of NBC to work with users- college bookstore employees – which I had done before. Because development took longer than expected and I liked my job and Lincoln, I finally decided to remain here.
Church was important to me. I had been raised ALC and LCA was different. So I ended up at an ALC congregation. In the spring I joined in a rehearsal for mass choir for a combined Lutheran choir. Bonita Johnsen was conducting. I liked her. I did some exploration. I joined the choir and First Lutheran.
I was in adult choir, worked some with youth groups, on council for one term, a committee or two, a social group or two, helped with what was called “Sunday School” and a few other things. I also had the opportunity to serve on two call committees for lead pastor and two vicar committees. From all I gained new viewpoints and enriched my faith life.
I was being fed spiritually. Good preaching. Great people. Social ministry challenges. My world opened.
I had no family here so the friendships I made sustained me. You know who you are. With love and much appreciation, thanks and love to you all.
Now retired, with my two siblings also retired, we thought it best to put us two sisters together in Langley, WA. My sister, Sharon, is welcoming me into her home where we can view the Puget Sound, mountains, Camano Island and God’s beautiful creation.
Sharon’s two daughters live in Seattle and Oregon, relatively close by. Our brother, Richard and his wife, Gina, live in Northern California near their daughter. Their son, his wife, and their three kids love to entertain guests while living in Vermont.
So it is time to reluctantly say good bye to First Lutheran with thankfulness for the growth, challenges and sustenance I have received from you. I pray for your vitality to lead you in new directions.
Note: There is an ELCA congregation in the next town over. I’ve visited once. Pastor Erin worked with one of their staff during her internship in Spokane. (You all know how much I like small-world stories. The first congregation I attended here had a very welcoming person who was a relative of good friends I grew up with in California. He got that out of me in less than 10 minutes!)
My mailing address is 930 Edgecliff Drive, Langley, WA 98260.
My email remains the same: s-myren@yahoo.com.
Appreciatively,
Susan
