JVA - 2nd Place

The Team did great this weekend and took 2nd.
The picture was taken while Mackey was at church

Easter in Louisville

Not so far from downtown we found the Louisville First Ward. An interesting two story chapel squeezed into a city neighborhood. A mixed but relatively young congregation. Rindy made an interesting observation , Saturday night at the team dinner many commented on how lovely the church they attended Easter Mass was - a beautiful cathedral (Saturday night after our last game but before dinner most of the team went); though the only comment on the service was that it was very long. In contrast the chapel we attended was simple, of the staged chapel construction, with chairs not pews but the talks were very good and the service all that it should be on easter. There was music form the Primary and the Ward choir; a young married girl recently arrived from idaho spoke of the power of the atonement - you could tell leaving the west was a challenge for her but the gospel was and did make a difference in her life. The other speaker was a brother who spoke of repentance and the power of the atonement. He too carried the Spirit of Easter with his talk - a message of renewal, change, salvation, grace and exaltation. It's easter indeed.

Proof

Tonight we had dinner at Proof. Upon entering one knew it would be a unique experience. It is attached to a Hotel 21C which is an art museum posing as a Hotel rated one of the World's best by Travel & Leisure. The wide ranging modern art is installed in the restaurant as well. Fun stuff.

The ambiance was a precursor to wonderful service and a delightful meal. Each of the items served were full of flavor and presentably engaging. The surprise treat at the end of the meal, shared after dessert and the bill was a plate of (sorry for the marginal photo.

Cotton Candy

As a side-note Mackey played very well in the volleyball tournament which brought us to Louisville. A couple of thundering blocks and hits. Hopefully Saturday will go as well in the 2011 JVA World Challenge Volleyball Championship

Roomates

In the history of Minnesota friendships Lou Oelkers and Paul Wilson go way back. When dad was called as a Bishop there was Lou at his side as a counselor. When Dad was called as Stake president there once more was Lou at his side as his counselor. As Lou died prematurely there was Dad at Lou' s side, friends for life friends for eternity.

Lou' son Bill (William) was my friend through out the same course of life. Bill and I went to scout camp together, went to Stake Dances together, played softball together, then later attended high priest together, he home taught our family, he taught a couple of the boys at church, we've been friends forever. One of the handful of people who could still call me Timmy. Sadly, when Bill passed away prematurely, we were living in Naperville - I went back for the funeral - friends for life friends for eternity.

This summer Parker went to summer term at BYU and made fast friends with a fellow twins & viking fan though he was from Texas. Good enough friends that they decided to be roommates this fall at the Y. Marshall is Scott's ( Lou's son and Bill's brother) son. He and Parker unaware of the kinship have continued a three-generation legacy of friendship. I imagine Lou & Dad are smiling.

Louisville

Mackenzie, Evan, and I loaded the suburban for a road trip to Louisville for a national volleyball tournament. We left early Saturday morning and made it easily. Interesting notes:

• Listened to Sherlock Holmes: A Study in Scarlet as our book on a tape driving down. An interesting story, I simpling didn't recall its anti-mormon sentiment and biases that are core to the story.
• Stopping for gas and a Sonic burger outside of Louisville (Indiana-side) and my oh my the southern accents and influence were strong
• Volleyball was not good, we started against a team that clearly out-powered us, and then we underplayed to our capacity for our next games.
• Louisville 6th ward is very friendly and embracing. perhaps the most greetings I've ever had as a visitor; and in stark contrast to our last trip though Kentucky

Hopefully, the team does well today and we will have a chance to play tomorrow.