By Ron Brooks, rbspstelm@gmail.com, Osage Beach

Jan and I continue to enjoy our leisure on the Lake of the Ozarks main channel. Boats are big here. I mean really big and fast! But we love the deer, foxes and raccoons the most. Our rear deck faces the west and enjoy a beautiful view of our sun setting over the water almost everyday. Fortunately, we are blessed with routine activities most days.

However, recently I completed a seven-month appointment as an Interim Pastor with the Versailles and Glensted congregations following the death of their pastor. I performed all the usual pastoral acts but a baptism by immersion in nearby Moreau Creek on Palm Sunday was enjoyed by all following our worship service. Another unusual event was an infant baptism on Mother's Day. The little girl is the 8th generation of her family to be baptized in their church. I have to say it is a robust congregation too. We have a picture of her smiling face that changed the moment the water touched her head. There are a hundred captions that could express her feelings that moment! The lake is a growing metropolis, and the commutes are sometimes long, but we have a beautiful life with neighbors from everywhere. Blessings to you all!