It is really here! It is the night before I leave for Africa and I think I am ready. My big suitcase is in the car along with the large tub with medical and school supplies that I am carrying. My carry ons are wanting for the last minute morning things and then I head out to my daughter's house mid morning. We will then transfer all of my stuff into her van so that the toddler can ride with us to the airport. After lunch we will take a quick trip to Raleigh-Durham International to fly to JFK for the first leg of the trip. I have had several people ask me how long the flight is and I tell them I don't really know and I don't care. I just know it is a long time and I'll get there when I am suppose to. I sound very Ray like I think. Very spontaneous and adventurous while I always was the planner and cautious. I do think I have planned well, but I am going to be adventurous and see where this path leads me.
My church was commissioning a group that is leaving this week for an annual mission trip to Peru and I was included in this event. It was humbling to be one of a large group of called out people to go to foreign lands to share the love of God and the saving grace of Jesus Christ. I remember when I first became a Christ follower being almost afraid that God would send me to be a missionary to Africa and now I am so excited that God IS sending me to be a missionary to Africa. Isn't that a kick in the pants!! Oh, God can be so funny. God can sometimes turn our greatest fears into our hearts desire.
Thank you to all who have called today to wish me well and promised to pray for me while I am away. I will do my best to get posts out as often as I can. Pictures will come after I return.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
The Blue Grass State
I spent the last week in the beautiful state of Kentucky visiting family where it was very, very cold. I had water bottles in the car that were frozen when I left to return home. As cold as it was outside, the warmth of the family visit was oh so cozy inside.
My Aunt Gladys became a widow at about my age, a year younger actually. Over the past six or seven years we have talked about what it is like to be a widow and all that it entails. She has been a great source of encouragement to me even when I was a little girl and now even more so. It was such a delight to spend time with her.
My cousin Steve and his wonderful wife Carol were also so much fun to be with during my stay. They showed me some of the area sights, Carol and I went shopping one day and had our nails done, such a fun girl thing to do, and the last day we went to St. Meinrad's Archabbey for Vespers. What a Holy place. Listening to the monks chanting the Psalms during the service, I felt like I was in the courts of heaven. What joy that will be!
My Aunt Gladys became a widow at about my age, a year younger actually. Over the past six or seven years we have talked about what it is like to be a widow and all that it entails. She has been a great source of encouragement to me even when I was a little girl and now even more so. It was such a delight to spend time with her.
My cousin Steve and his wonderful wife Carol were also so much fun to be with during my stay. They showed me some of the area sights, Carol and I went shopping one day and had our nails done, such a fun girl thing to do, and the last day we went to St. Meinrad's Archabbey for Vespers. What a Holy place. Listening to the monks chanting the Psalms during the service, I felt like I was in the courts of heaven. What joy that will be!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Friends
In the last two days I have been blessed by phone calls from two long time girls friends. Having a girl friend for 20 to 30 years is a long time, but that does not make them or me old.
One called to check out my trip to Africa and to get some details. As we chatted, she shared that she and her husband were going on a cruise for the first time in the spring with family. How fun and exciting it was to share our joys and anticipations for our upcoming adventures. Plans were made for a gathering of picture sharing and laughter later in the year.
My other good friend called on her way to another trip to be the caregiver to her in-laws who are in failing health. We are in that generation where we have parents who are presenting health problems and some are greater than others. She has already cared for her own parents and lost both of them not long ago. Now she is caring for her in-laws and it looks as if one will be lost soon. She has been my encourager many times in the past and I am so glad that I can be there to hear her concerns and encourage her.
Friendships are one of life's greatest blessings and make every day a great day!
One called to check out my trip to Africa and to get some details. As we chatted, she shared that she and her husband were going on a cruise for the first time in the spring with family. How fun and exciting it was to share our joys and anticipations for our upcoming adventures. Plans were made for a gathering of picture sharing and laughter later in the year.
My other good friend called on her way to another trip to be the caregiver to her in-laws who are in failing health. We are in that generation where we have parents who are presenting health problems and some are greater than others. She has already cared for her own parents and lost both of them not long ago. Now she is caring for her in-laws and it looks as if one will be lost soon. She has been my encourager many times in the past and I am so glad that I can be there to hear her concerns and encourage her.
Friendships are one of life's greatest blessings and make every day a great day!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
I am going to Africa!
The end of December all Durham District members received an email from the District Superintendent offering this opportunity to all of our churches to send workers to this field of mission. Since I do not pastor a church right now I felt like it was a unique opportunity for me to follow. We are a small group of seven going to Nairobi, Kenya for two weeks starting 28 February. We are going under the missionary arm of the United Methodist Church, Volunteers In Mission (VIM) and taking food to feed children in some schools with the Stop Hunger Now program. This is a group that has gone many times before so they are continuing a relationship with these schools, teachers, and children. I am very excited to be a part of this endeavor.
We have lists for everything to include how many changes of clothing to bring. We even need to bring underwear and socks for the entire two weeks!! Well, this made my day yesterday. After a cancelled appointment near Crabtree Mall, I went and had breakfast among the walkers at Chick-fil-A and had my Monday morning chat with Mary. I then headed out to find undies. Now, this might not thrill all of you, but some of us care how our undies fit. When you find a brand, style, and size you like it is like winning a jackpot. Well, I have found all of the above, but do not have enough to make it through the two week trip. I started at one end of the mall and shopped all the way to the opposite end to find enough pairs to make it through the two weeks and even found some on SALE. My favorite four letter word or at least one of them. I even walked the length of the mall and back so I exercised. Ah, progress.
I ate,
I shopped,
I exercised,
what could be better.
We have lists for everything to include how many changes of clothing to bring. We even need to bring underwear and socks for the entire two weeks!! Well, this made my day yesterday. After a cancelled appointment near Crabtree Mall, I went and had breakfast among the walkers at Chick-fil-A and had my Monday morning chat with Mary. I then headed out to find undies. Now, this might not thrill all of you, but some of us care how our undies fit. When you find a brand, style, and size you like it is like winning a jackpot. Well, I have found all of the above, but do not have enough to make it through the two week trip. I started at one end of the mall and shopped all the way to the opposite end to find enough pairs to make it through the two weeks and even found some on SALE. My favorite four letter word or at least one of them. I even walked the length of the mall and back so I exercised. Ah, progress.
I ate,
I shopped,
I exercised,
what could be better.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Five Months Ago Today
It really has been five months since Ray said these title words to us in the hospital. It was the last day he was able to talk to us and the day before he died. It was not unusual for him to think it was a good day as for Ray, every day was a good day. The nuance was the idea of writing it down.
Now that the new year has begun it is a good time to write down what I see has made each day a good day. Sometimes it is hard to see the good in every day, but if one looks hard enough the good can be found I do believe. The more we look, the easier it will be to find the good in each day.
I hope you will come along and share your good days with me.
Now that the new year has begun it is a good time to write down what I see has made each day a good day. Sometimes it is hard to see the good in every day, but if one looks hard enough the good can be found I do believe. The more we look, the easier it will be to find the good in each day.
I hope you will come along and share your good days with me.
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