GOD first...Heavenly Father, Your Son suffered in the wilderness and on the cross in a way that we can't imagine. He walked everywhere he went, healing and preaching. He couldn't drive hundreds of miles or take an airplane flight to foreign countries... He walked. We walk to get exercise and complain when it gets too hard to walk one step farther. Lord, help us to set examples for others to follow. Help us to give strength, faith, and love to those around us even when we are suffering. We ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Pray for those who are grieving, suffering, ill, or are in harms' way. **A man from west Texas took his horse to Kentucky and entered him at a race track. The officials asked him the usual questions when he went to register: his name, address, etc.
'Is this his first race?'
'Yes.' 'How old is he? 'Eight years old.'
The officials were surprised and looked through the rule book and couldn't find any age restrictions so they accepted his entry fee.
The betting on the race was heavy, and the odds against the Texas horse were 20 to 1. The Texan bet all he had on his horse.
The time came. At the shot of the gun, the Texas horse was off in a flash. He not only led the field but won several lengths ahead of the next horse.
The owner collected his bets and went to pick up the winner's check. The officials were overwhelmed with curiosity.
'Are you sure this was his first race?' 'Yes.'
'Are you sure he is eight years old?' 'Sure am.'
'Why in the world haven't you raced him before?'
'It took me seven years to catch him.'
At our Kaffee Klatch this past week, the discussions varied as there were enough people there to hold conservations without everyone talking at once. This was told by a lady (who knew a friend who also knew another friend): a 92year old man got married sometime last December. Itwasswornto be true. Immediately, the question came up ...'Was she young?', 'Did he have to?', 'Why?', and who is he related to from within our group? It wasn't very hard to suppose who originated this story as the name or person's identity may or may not have originated in Nordheim. It's hard to write a story about something about someone without naming names. But what goes on at Kaffee Klatch, stays at Koffee Klatch.
Kaffee Klatch had been a tradition in Germany many years ago and when families came over to Texas, they continued the tradition by getting a bunch of ladies together to drink coffee and talk about the latest things going on in the neighborhood and around Nordheim. We originally brought back this tradition of gathering for free coffee and inviting others to join in fellowship without fees or membership and it includes men. It was open to anyone who wanted to come and enjoy stories and happenings for no particular reason. Myrtle Janssen and I are still the only original people who were at the start of reviving it. When we start gathering, one by one, or two by two, we start by acknowledging our aches and pains, and what the weather is doing. Then by the second cup, we get to telling stories about our experiences at all sorts of things while living in Nordheim, at school, our classmates, (some know a lot about each other who remember teachers, others, and tales of yester years) and what is going on in the community. Our mayor knows all, hears all, and is the bearer of news about what the City is doing and has done. She brings her Dr. Pepper, gets her cushion, sits, and no, she doesn't drink coffee. Most of the time we even have some goodies to eat as there is someone who always brings something. All are welcome. If you are sitting at home and no place to go or bored with your life, come and enjoy. We meet every Thursday morning at the Lutheran Parish Hall and are open to anyone who wants to come and listen for two hours or more or less, and enjoy stories and laughter. We start at 8 a.m. and when the coffee gets cold about 10 a.m., we leave and go about our own ways. Some have waited longer as they came by someone delivering them and waiting for their rides. No smoking, chewing tobacco, spitting, cussing, fighting, or mayhem is allowed. Just a friendly bunch having fun. See you next week, I hope.
