After a leisurely morning of coffee and conversation with Jody, we head to the nearby town of St. Marys for lunch at a deli, inside Sugar Creek Country Store. The people of St. Marys impress Doug and me. As we park, I glimpse a woman and three girls walking in the opposite direction. Wearing graceful, but not old-fashioned skirts, they move freely and confidently, as if something important awaits them.
During lunch, a man with a boy I presume to be his son, surveys a display of toys. They settle on a wooden gun which the boy repeatedly causes to make a loud popping sound as they wait in line to pay for it.
On our way back to our car, drivers stop traffic from both directions and smile as they wave us across the main street. Perhaps they dothis because we appear old and fragile, but it seems to us that the people around here are exceptionally unhurried and kind.
We don’t get up early enough for Mass this morning, so after lunch, we head to an Adoration Chapel at Immaculate Conception Parish in St Marys. It’s a tiny chapel, and beautiful. An hour there in silence nourishes my soul. The best way I can think to describe it is like a refreshing nap.
We wonder around downtown Wamego which boasts the Oz Museum, filled with all things Frank L. Baum and Wizard of Oz.
Just three of the statues of the famous “Toto” which adorn the sidewalks of Wamego.
A delicious, peaceful dinner with our host family ends the day. We have felt so well received and loved by them during our short stay. Our friends exemplify the words from the following scripture passage.
Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace. 1 Peter 4: 8-10
Inundated with Love 