So our lives went on in Duarte, and we were super involved in church and school activities.  It was a good life for all of us.  Ollie joined the Knights of Columbus and became active in it.  They were a very friendly group and had many family activities.  They were men from I.C. and they were involved in doing charitable things for our community.  We joined a group called the Christian Family Movement.  Couples from church met regularly at different houses to have discussions.  Then we had family activities at different couples’ homes.  We would have holiday parties as families and other special occasions too.

A memorable activity was Santa and his elf making home visits.  Ollie (6ft 2in) was the elf.  Santa was considerably shorter!  They made visits to lots of houses.  Ollie started a Blood Drive at church.  To say we got involved would be an understatement.  We were happy and active and had made many good friends.

As I am writing about our lives in California, I realize how fortunate we were to have found everything we needed to have a good life.  We had everything but our families and friends in Indiana.  That was a big “something” that was missing.  But our lives were so busy and full of good things that we were happy.  We were blessed.

I wanted to pursue my singing and acting in some small way, even with all that we had going on.  I tried out for a musical entitled “El Shaddai.”  I got the part of Mary (the mother of Jesus) and the play ran 8 weeks.  It was a powerful piece and it had become a part of me.  After the show was over, I was able to perform the part of Mary at I.C. one time.  Then it was over.  However, it became a short musical drama that I would present many times when we came back to Indiana.  It was a part of me.  It was something I brought back home with me.  And it is still a part of me to this day, 24 years later.