I have such fond memories of my Confirmation Classes at Ascension Lutheran Church in Milwaukee.

Every Saturday morning, for all of 7th and 8th grade, 25 of us met for “Instructions.” Every Sunday morning, we were required to attend two church services; the early service for Sunday School and the late service to take notes on the sermon.

A high point of the morning was the time between services when we walked to the corner drug store and ordered cherry coke phosphate sodas and a bag of Fritos while piled eight kids to a booth.

My confirmation instructions have had a lasting impact on my faith life. During those informative and impressionable pre-teen years, I was exposed to living examples of God’s love and grace.

In fact, every time I recite The Lord’s Prayer and The Creed I am reminded “What is the Meaning?” memorized from Luther’s Catechism.

Mr. Holt had a special way of connecting God to me. I remember him telling us that when we pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” it’s OK with God to say “and please add some peanut butter and jelly and maybe some chocolate cake.”

I can tell you that God has listened to my prayers. There has been lots of chocolate cake.

He loves me unconditionally.

Patti