We had done a little research on the Internet to decide where we wanted to go to church this morning and were excited to get there. I wish I had my camera open and ready to shoot when we walked in and asked if we could meet the Pastor. He was standing nearby and when he turned toward us I said " Pastor Jim Keatley, I would like you to meet my husband, Jim Keatley". His mouth very nearly hit the ground! We found both Jim's do indeed share a common ancestry going back about 5 generations to Donagal, Ireland and two brothers who both immigrated to the United States and who both fought in the Revolutionary War in the 1700's.
Pastor Jim announced that he had a surprise namesake visitor in the audience, and then told the congregation that Jim had just retired and the entire audience applauded. It was all immense fun.
We were blessed with a very nice worship service and a meaningful, well-delivered sermon was followed with communion. I thought about the fact that while this connection was just made on earth, our connection in heaven will be eternal. We are indeed living out the communion of the saints.
After church Pastor Jim and his wife Sonna asked us to join them for lunch so we all went to a local restaurant and chatted like we had been friends for a long time. I love how God keeps bringing new people into our lives. They bless us and we pray that we are a blessing to them.
We arrived in Tacoma mid afternoon to spend a few days with Jim's family. Jim's Mom lives here with his sister-law Cora and currently her daughter Tina and son-in-law Jon. With us added to the mix there is a full house! I am sure we will find much to talk about in the next few days.
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