This time people stood to applaud.

Anne and Gary bowed and waved. Anne raised her voice. “MJ, you forgot the UFO group that meets early Friday mornings at the cafe. We have anywhere from four to ten in attendance, and since we are fairly new, I’m not sure how many projects have been finished but we sure have fun together.”

“Sorry.” MJ flinched.

“That’s okay.” Anne grinned. “This was our biggest event to cater and are we ever grateful for good helpers so we could celebrate with all of you. Thank you.”

“Thank you. MJ and I walk most mornings and stop at Annie’s for lattes and sometimes breakfast. I see more people there who are eating and often they have a project along with them. See, Amalia, what you have started.”

Amalia raised her hook and yarn again to more laughter.

“What an evening. Thank you all. And now Pastor Mike—his wife joined our group early on—would you please give the benediction?”

He stood at his table and smiled around the room. “What a gathering of unfinished objects. Good thing He has a plan to finish each one of us. As I look around, I see so many whose lives have changed dramatically this year, both for the good and the sad, but you people have stood by each other and offered whatever help you could give. So many unknown lives too have been touched by what you have been doing as God multiplies our efforts. Thank you.” He nodded. “Amazing.” He lifted his hands. “And now, may our good Lord bless and keep us. May His face shine upon us and above all, may He fill us with His peace. Amen. Congratulations, everyone. Keep it up.”

* * *

The next day, the four gathered at Annie’s to do some Monday morning quarterbacking. MJ sighed and leaned back in her chair, staring at the remains of the orange roll on her plate. “Anne, m’dear, you have done it again. You did a fantastic job catering the celebration supper last night and now…” She swept her hand to indicate the entire table.

“And now we have rolls to die for.” Roxie grinned back at the innocent-appearing Anne.

“Don’t you ever sleep?” Ginny leaned forward. “I mean, I would still be in bed if it weren’t for—”

“All your animals and chickens to feed,” muttered Amalia.

“Well, that too, but…”

Anne shrugged. “All I can say is magic, and yes, I did sleep, just not terribly long. As I have said so many times, we have an amazing group of workers here. They took care of last night from beginning to end. You saw them.”

“And who hired and trained them?” Roxie’s eyebrows tickled her half bangs.

“Okay, thank you, but let me remind you all, you are the ones who dreamed up and created the first UFO group and—”

“And then hung on for the ride.” Amalia looked up from the poncho she was knitting on big needles as a surprise for Addy. “Like Pastor Mike said, look at the lives that have been touched by such a simple thing. We had no idea this could happen…”