We were welcomed by all - even if we were one of the younger couples attending. Many members of the church commented to us about our 'long commute' to church. Adam and I didn't realize we were that well known by the church! I guess when our backyard backs up to the sanctuary windows, we're quite noticeable. (We better mind our Ps and Qs from now on!)
Anyways, we sat in the back in the small pews which are upright and you can only enter from one side - way old school! As the service began, we learned that the pipe organ is the 2nd oldest pipe organ in MN and the oldest one used on a regular basis. Pretty neat to think its in our little town. The service was neatly put together integrating the pastors (Presbyterian, Catholic, Wesleyan, Lutheran, and Congregational) as well as some of the choirs (the Congregational choir has 8 members - quite good for so small). The offering was given to 3 local organizations which help the needy in the area and each organization had a representative speak about the organizations. I liked this because it gave a good perspective as to what the money would be going to.
Why do I say good intentions...well, Gerrit had his own agenda for church tonight. He got the idea that we were going to the one next door and thought the small pews were neat. At one point Adam was worried he was going to launch himself forward at the next pew so he made him get down (he was standing on the seat). Gerrit realized that when he jumped on the floor, it echoed (very old church) and thought that was neat too. He wants to hold the hymnal now too which is quite heavy for him. It was the only one in our pew so we had to share, he didn't like that b/c he wanted to turn the pages himself instead of letting us sing. Adam would hold him during the songs so he could see when we were all standing and Gerrit decided it was fun to hit Adam and even slapped him on the face. He colored a bit until he started putting the crayons in his mouth. We gave him his 'treat' - fruit snacks which didn't take long for him to spill and then pick off the floor and eat. Adam helped him find the ones he dropped and Gerrit either found a fruit snack Adam missed or he found something and decided to eat that too! We are not sure on the last item that went in his mouth. This was all before the message! Adam said at one point that he didn't think Gerrit would make it and was ready to pack up and walk him home. He even suggested letting Gerrit play in the baby's room and crack a window open so he could hear the service. Gerrit played with his magnet book until he started throwing the magnets on the floor and needing to go get them. Luckily the message was short and we did make it through the service without too much noise. During the last song, Adam was distracted and was ready to sing the 1st verse - which was in German!
I had a hard time containing myself tonight. I thought the whole thing was funny - from the loud slap, to the constant stomping on the ground, to the mysterious piece of fruit snack... The idea of being next door to our house and worshipping - the convenience of being so close yet having a child so out of character and trying to get something out of the service just didn't happen. We probably could've left Gerrit at home and went to church and all would have been fine. Or, we could've let Gerrit take his DVD player to church like he asked and he would've sat like a gem.
I think we did walk away gaining a bit more from going to the service and we were glad we went, even if it didn't turn out like we had hoped.
We have one friend coming for lunch tomorrow and that is all we have planned for the day. A little parade watching in the am and Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving in the evening with a little football in between will probably take place too. We are just thankful to be home, healthy, and have some time to rest and be together as a family.
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