Created in Wonder, Liberated by Love

During a recent trip to the northeast (starting in Washington DC, with stops in Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts),  it was observed that memorials and monuments were everywhere. There was a particularly high concentration on the National Mall and at the National Cemeteries in Arlington and Gettysburg.  One couldn't help but sense this was a "I see dead people" trip. A "I see dead people" perspective may be appropriate for All Hallows Eve, but it is a bit macabre. A preferred "I See Saints" sentiment better commemorates All Saints Day with undeserved gratitude for all the saints, dead and living.  

The photo shared is from the Korean War Memorial on the National Mall. Fall foliage above slogging statues is reflected off a black marble wall etched with images of struggle.  Equally moving was the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown, Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, from 160 years ago, and walking the Battle Road near Concord 250 years later. These gruesome, death plagued events and scenes of struggle were persistent reflections from DC to Boston.  

After seeing so many monuments, it was tempting to try and quantify saintliness by the size of a monument.  One might conclude there are lesser and greater saints. Fortunately, this temporal assessment is not the eternal point of view.  We saints were all created and freed from our greatest struggle and failing by a loving God.    

When we arrived at Maria and John's beautiful home a Danish flag was on the front porch.  The  warm welcome never ceased from first arrival to our departure.  The best part of this visit were the conversations and sharing around meals. It was good to catchup. There were stories about choosing room colors (if one dared to think beige is a color), righthand-lefthand trees, grandchildren, cavalry or Calvary, PFAS & gardening. And there was music too. 

It was surprising to learn that President Eisenhower had a farm in Gettysburg. Eisenhower is remembered more as a general than a farmer/rancher of Angus beef. A quote from Ike was, "All leadership - political, economic, or moral - involves persuading others to do something now that will bring fruit in the future". Seems this leadership guidance is more than appropriate for farmers, food scientists, nurses, pastors, generals, and of course, presidents.  

John arranged for a memorable tour of the Seminary Ridge Museum, including a view from the cupola (see the photos later in this update). On special exhibit were Abraham Lincoln's glasses. His prescription was +3.5 in the event you are a trivia enthusiast.   

It had been too long since last getting together with Anne, Amelia and Dom. Yet, in many ways things have not changed. Their intellectual curiosity is only surpassed, by a compassion for creation and a love of music.  Amelia's presence amplified the blessing of music (piano, violin, and organ).  Anne, Dom and Amelia had just returned from the Nobel Conference on Sugar at Gustavus. This conference is a family tradition. Reveling in creation is traditional too. A visit to Thacher State Park (pictured in the cover photo for this update) yielded glimpses of the best fall foliage color of the trip. Finally, it is a family tradition to be generous hosts in a lovely home and neighborhood approaching 100 years in age.

A profound, and sad change since a visit to Albany six years ago, was the drop in attendance at First Lutheran. This change, for the oldest Lutheran church in America, weighs heavily on this family of saints. Many other ELCA churches are similarly struggling.