It’s a small world after all

Let’s set the stage, shall we?

Back in 2013, Richard and Carol Engelstad were on vacation down south. Driving through Stonewall, Texas, they happened to pass by a church and noticed the words “Pastor Percy Smerek” on the sign. For anyone that remembers, Percy Smerek was a former Pastor in Grygla many years ago, leading the congregation at Grace and Our Savior’s Lutheran Churches from 1980-1993.

Surprised and curious, the Engelstads stopped in to the church and, indeed, it was the church of Pastor Percy Smerek and his wife, Ada. But as luck would have it, the Smereks were out of town that particular day so Richard and Carol traveled onward.

Fast forward a few years, and finding themselves back in that area a couple of months ago, the Engelstads decided to try their luck again. They stopped by Trinity Lutheran Church in Stonewall. “We went to check and make sure they were still there and sure enough they were!” Carol laughed. The Smereks invited Richard and Carol over for supper that evening, and also invited them to attend their Thursday Lenten Service at Trinity Lutheran. “Ada sang in church when we were there. She sings just as good now as she did back then!” Carol added.

Since leaving Grygla, the road has taken the Smereks to a few different places, including Janesville, Wisconsin, and Des Moines, Iowa. For the last ten years, they have been living in Stonewall, Texas, with Pastor Percy leading the congregation at Trinity Lutheran Church, which is located in the midst of the LBJ State and National parks, across the Pedernales River from former President Johnson’s ranch. In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson launched the first head start child development program across America. The first original head start building still stands today and is located next to Trinity Lutheran Church, where LBJ attended services occasionally.

Percy and Ada live in the parsonage a few days a week, but they have also built a home in Medina, about 30 minutes away from Stonewall. They spend a few days a week at their home in Medina, which is where their two daughters, Heidi and Linda, both live. Their son, Thor, lives in the Minneapolis, MN, area. Since leaving Grygla, the Smereks have also adopted a son, Chris, who is 21 years old. 

Other folks might be able to catch up with Percy and Ada, too, as they are planning to possibly come back to Grygla for the 2017 Grygla Centennial celebration!

It really is a small world, isn’t it?