Tonight has me feeling..

[Jeffry Petersen]

.. can't quite put my finger on it..

At the stated tonight.. just before closing.. and in front
of five past master district deputies.. and the district instructor..
*I think I got the titles correct* and the current DDGM...
I was called west of the alter.. and presented a certificate
from the Worshipful Master from the lodge.
It is in recognition of 'outstanding dedication to this lodge"
I was not expecting this.. and my knees where shaking.. lol...
but the brotherly hug I got from the WM... and the brotheren
present.. made my knees stop knocking.
I cant sleep because.. frankly.. i feel strange.. to be recognized
for something I love doing? I mean.. I love fishing too.. but i dont
get a certificate for it. lol.

I appreciate the gesture and the certificate.. and charish it..
I am the type of person who loves to do things for others.
I love when we go and serve breakfast for the Ronald McDonald
house.. for the familys..
I love ID'ing children.. the smile they give when i hand them a tootsie pop
after taking thier picture.. is thanks enough.. and I surely wasnt wanting a
special certificate.. or expecting it.. so i am taking back by it.
I was told that if 20 masons had my mind set.. the lodge would be filled
with 300 people .

Tonight.. i am reflecting on my life.. and absorbing each day and every
second of bing a mason like a dry sponge.
I am the one who should be honored to be part of Masonry.. and my lodge. I
should be giving the lodge a certificate for allowing me to
be part of such a great and important organization...and this is why i feel
strange.

Jeffry

[Torence]

Brother Ben Franklin was noted for many quotable phrases. A well
turned comment was used, not only in language, but put on tankards,
stationary etc. wherever utilitarian articles could be made more
personal. Before our country was a firmly established, local
entrepreneurs minted coin defying the King’s privilege. Among the
devices Ben Franklin suggested for this early coinage were these
words:
“To be esteemed, be useful.”
I always considered this advice to be a particularly Masonic.

Congrats,
Torence Evans Ake
Senior Deacon – Auburn Park Lodge No. 789 – Crete, Illinois
PM – Arcadia Lodge No. 1138 – Lansing, Illinois