Brenda, here's to you!

Happy Birthday, honey!

It can't possibly be 24 now, can it? No way.

Daddy and I smile at the many cute memories you made through the years. I can still see you and Shari in the back of the pickup, parked in the driveway, singing about Jesus. Remember how excited you were to get a baby sister when you were three years old, and from then on you mothered and took care of her and gave in many times? Remember the "stage" you went through when getting a picture of you was like impossible without you making a silly face?? As a young teenager you always seemed to know when your help was needed and between you and Shari you soon began to take up so many responsibilities. You're a great wife to Brent, and the future is bright for both of you. We couldn't be any prouder....

We can hardly wait till we get to see you in a couple of weeks, Lord willing. Make everyone give you lots of kisses for us today!

Love,
Mom and Dad

Three weeks later.....

I had every intention of posting before we left on our trip to Guatemala. There was a lot taking place around that time, not to mention getting ready for the trip. But as soon as I can I will try to fill in the blanks about the last three weeks.

For now, just wanted to post a note saying we arrived in Jalapa, Guatemala tonight, in readiness for the pastors's retreat which starts Monday evening. We left Salamanca last Monday, and I have pictures of our stops along the way, but just realized that my camera is in the van, which is parked in a garage down the street. We, along with Crystal and Michael Mason and boys, are staying with Lee and Sharon Rickenbach in their nice and comfy home here in Jalapa. After several days of staying in "sufficient, but less-than-ideal situations", it is so nice to enjoy clean and very comfortable quarters and have the luxury of a washer and dryer thrown in. Best part of all for Philip and I is getting to see our friends after so many years. This week of visiting will be so nice!

I will try to get some pics up tomorrow, that is, if time permits. I HAVE to spend the afternoon getting ready for a women's session on Tuesday afternoon. Philip has asked me to do the women's counterpart on his session, the theme being "Shepherding our Families". I am using Jochebed, the mother of Moses, as the basis for my study, and am praying that God will help me develop as it should be. Pray for me, will you?

Well, it is getting close to midnight so I better run. ( I mean, stop...)

Late night musings....

I really should be in bed. After all, it's Saturday night and even though we don't have to leave the house tomorrow morning until 10:30, I prefer an earlier-than-normal bedtime before my day of rest.

The problem is, I got home late, cooked my chicken late and now here it is past midnight and I am waiting for the broth to cool down before I put it into the fridge. Yeah, I could go stir it, but I think something more interesting or profitable could come of the situation. So that's why I'm here.

It's been a good day, one of those kind where I really felt like I got alot accomplished. It wasn't all on my mental "to-do" list for today, mind you,.....but if there is one thing I have learned in my life, it is flexibility. At least I think I've learned it. (Where's that wood????)

I told Philip this morning that I would take the car early and go over to the church to clean up my SS room (been trying to get it decorated and bulletin boards done and up this week) then get back by 11:00 so he and Librado could do their regular Saturday visitation. The plan was that I would have to whole afternoon free to get my house in order and ready for Bro Rigo and Bro Sidney, who are coming in on Tuesday. Nice plan, easy enough to implement...

I got to church later than I thought, and realized the dear Christian lady who cleans every other week had not arrived. (She usually comes early). Thinking that she might have fallen prey to the prevalent flu going around, I tossed around the idea of doing the church myself and leaving my Sunday School room uproar till last. That way if she did drag in feeling half-sick, I would at least have given her a head-start on it all.

Long story short, I started in and she never did come. Philip came and got the van and went visiting, and came back for me. Eight hours after I left home, I was done.

I know, I get carried away and have to clean in detail. I even got alot of stuff done up in my Sunday school room , that is, before I got my hands burned badly burned by that blasted glue gun! I don't say bad words when things like that happen, but I was sure wishing Philip would hurry so I could get some aloe vera or something on them....

The evening turned out fine. Xochitl and Aaron heard about my burned hands and brought me some special ointment to put on them, bless them. Shortly after they left we had two visitors, another man from the church and then another young neighborhood girl who needed some English tutoring.

Thats why I'm still up. By now that broth should have cooled, and it actually was a blessing in disguise.....I got this crazy post up. I promise next time I will have a more rested brain to work with!

I've decided that come Monday, I am NOT going to be flexible!! I HAVE to get this house cleaned.....

And yeah, I'm gonna live.