What fun...helped out with the children's bible camp at church. It's 5:30-8:30 p.m. Check this out...they asked if I would possibly help with the children and get them into their tunics! I laughed and said, "I'm your girl!"
You can't possibly believe how really wonderful this camp is. As the kids arrive there's a large sign that welcomes them to the village of Nazareth. Then each child get's a tunic, a little belt of rope and a money pouch to hang from their belt.
(They had to close the camp and there is a waiting list.)
They walk in under a canopy that includes a fisherman's net and sea shells. There's a money changer, where they get cold coins for certain activities, ...a bakery, where they make bread...dancing...singing...stories...crafts...and dinner. It's really well done...and I saw a lot of smiling faces. The kids were 4y/o-12y/o...and they had some really impressive kids serving as junior counselors.
The fashion consultant of Nazareth will return to camp tomorrow night.
Have gotten 401 "live-able" ( is that a real word???)...so it was back to the gym and Christina today. That was ugly...but so needed. It always amazes me how you can work hard and still loose strength when you're not working out. My delts and triceps are howling!
I know as you read this letter...you often check in to see how I'm doing. Thank you for caring and for your continued prayers.
The girls are doing well...they continue to amaze me and be a real blessing. DanaMarie is working her socks off as she starts her second year of residency, but her first in anesthesia. Brian's mom, Pam, called me today...we chatted and she said, "Brian says Dana gets up early, works out, puts in long hours and never complains." I am so very thankful that the Louisville program has been such a great fit for her. (If I told you what they said in her reviews...she'd have my head...we'll just say...it's going well.)
Sis is putting in long hours and as I've mentioned, her colleagues ask her to deliver their wives and the generals send their spouses to her. She is also doing a ton of surgery. As she walks thru these days before Aaron ships out...she is doing well. No crying or whining. Maybe the sign that hung in the kitchen at home..."Thou shalt not whine!"...made an impression.
According to Sis...it just never did any good to whine!
(It worked!)
Bruce is a rock...and always there. He's answered countless questions...and helped in more ways than I can ever say. He is the son that has blessed me and all of us ...and completed our family. My dream is to one day, when he gets married, to do his rehearsal dinner. ( The girls are all in favor of that idea
!!!
In my heart I always knew it was absolutely neccessary to come aside, be alone and get very quiet...very still. In the wake of all that happened, plus the wedding, selling the house, the Ya-Ya party,..... I was tired, bone tired. Then heading into the second set of holidays...I had read that they could be much worse than the first set...I couldn't imagine how that could be possible...so I headed into Nov and Dec in fear and trembling. We hung together...DanaMarie and Brian did a great job having everyone to their house...and we got thru. (They have a precious little home that reminds me of another precious little home from years ago...on Wiltshire.)
Elisabeth always taught, "We must 'come apart'...before we come apart." She was right. Time to be still...and know that "I am" was there...time to be still and focus on "the core." My mind was asking...what is a widow...how will I think and feel...how will I do everything??? Dan always did all the paper stuff...he was so good at it...and I'm not. I have to learn. So much to learn...in many respects, I feel as if I'm just beginning...in others...not.
The waves still come...sometimes they just wash over my feet...other times...they cover me and knock me down. The odd thing is that they can come on a really good day...
The decision to live here was primarily financial and weather related. Wanting to be financially prudent...I knew a place in Ohio and down here wasn't a smart move. Also knowing that in the next 5-7 years, the largest group of people in our country's history would retire and many would head to the sunbelt... One thing for sure, things weren't going to get cheaper! If I waited 5-10 years...maybe I would not be able to afford a little place down here. Not wanting to be 80 and still "doing winters"...not wanting to "do a move" 10 years from now...and all the while...still being able to fly in whenever I wanted...hence the decision. The kids and you have been wonderfully supportive...(and if you were mad at me...please forgive...just come and visit and you'll understand:)
I also feel very blessed...as friends you've walked this journey with me and not let go...even though you were hurting, too. I'm truly thankful...for the kids and for your friendship. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Time to go..."Do the next thing".
Love always,
The fashion co-ordinator from Nazareth...
a.k.a....the chick in the yellow tunic!
...took care of the girls...now to throw things in a suitcase. The good thing is that I can watch/listen to Larry King interview General Colin Powell while I do. 
)
After church, had brunch with Elwood and Naomi at IHOP! They are just dear. 
