Louisiana answers her friend in Texas; she tries to offer her friend encouragement and hope, and she also shares the news that she is going to Sri Lanka next week to help out with the tsunami/earthquake survivors.
January 8, 2004, 1:55 p.m., C.S.T.~
Dear Diane~
Hello! I am sorry for not writing sooner, but I have been so unbelievably busy it is UNREAL! Between my job as nurse, raising my family, and trying to get ready for my upcoming trip on Monday (I am going to Sri Lanka; details in a bit), I don't know whether I am coming or going half the time! LOL I pray this finds you and your family well, and I pray that all went well during your MRI. You will have to let me know of the results as soon as possible! In the meantime, I can keep you in prayer, and I will continue to have my church pray for you!
I am going to Sri Lanka on Monday; I have already gotten my required shots, my passport updated, some extra cash, and the necessities, and I will be flying out of Nashville early Monday morning; will be there sometime later that day or early the next day; and I will no doubt get right to work. I and a team of fellow doctors and nurses are going with me, so I won't be alone. I am scared, but at the same time, I am excited and hopeful, and I pray that all goes well while I am there! Please keep ME in prayer if you can; I surely can use them! God put this onto my heart last week, and no matter how hard I have tried to dismiss His Calling, I couldn't shake it, and I made the decision to go, which is why I am leaving Monday. I will be gone for about a week, a week and a half, and I will let you know all about my trip next time I write!
I hope things are getting better for your family, in particular, your husband. I hope you looked into getting him some crutches or a wheelchair. The best place to start is the local branch of the Easter Seals Society, or any number of agencies that help people with disabilities who are in need of services. Or you can go to a medical supply store and look at what they have to offer in terms of crutches or wheelchairs; and if they seem too pricey for you, you can always look in a thrift store or even check out the pharmacy at your friendly supermarket. There are a number of options in obtaining the necessary medical supplies you may nee;d but for now, I would call the Easter Seals Society or the Arthritis Foundation and explain your husband's story to them; they may be able to help you with minimum charge. Have you heard anything regarding his disability benefits? I have been praying that he gets approved because it seems to me that he is unable to work. Please let me know what happens!
How are your children? Are they over the flu yet? Did you guys have a nice Christmas? We did; our friends from Soulsbysville, California, the Williams family, came, and so did my two daughters who live here in town (Dianna and Melizza); and we really had a nice visit. But our joy was tempered with the recent passing of my little niece, Cajun Marie, who died on December 4, 2004, of medical problems; she had numerous medical problems that severely curtailed her way of life; and she was often in and out of the hospital. Maybe it is for the best, but we are still grieving over our loss, and we all miss her terribly; she was such a sweet and loving little girl! (Cajun Marie was Bill's brother's daughter. She was six and a half. She lived in Memphis, Tennessee.)
Have you contacted any of the attourneys regarding your husband's (or your) situation? I hope they can help; you deserve it!
How is the weather there in Del Rio? Here, it is coolish, but not too bad; it's supposed to warm up by tomorrow (highs in the upper 60's) and stay warm for a few days until Tuesday, when an Arctic cold front is due to come screaming down from Canada; but I won't have to worry about that because by then I will be in Sri Lanka (and then I will be wishing for the Tennessee weather; Sri Lanka is reputed to be extremely humid and hot year round!). I have been reading up about Sri Lanka and what to expect; but then it won't be the same, thanks to the recent disaster that killed so many of her people. At last count, the death toll from the disaster has topped OVER 150,000! That is a LOT of people dead! I just can't imagine the enormity of the disaster, and I am sure that I will be doing an awfully lot of crying once I am there!
Well, Jodie is signalling for me; have to see what she wants! I will write more while I am in Sri Lanka (that is, IF I have some free time; I suspect that I will be putting in some very long hours!); until then, take care, and God bless! Continue to keep me in your prayers, and let me know what your MRI results showed! I will be praying for you in the meantime!
(((HUGS))) As always, your Tennessee friend, Louie. :)
When two men hit the reset button and decide to go out looking for the good in the world, they not only find it but also a lot more.
P.S. The title is listed on Amazon under Look for Something Good by Robert Drews (not by Robert H. Drews)
Note: Since my husband's cancer surgery 4/25/05, this book content has been integrated into the public speaking content for audiences interested in a sassy approach to personal and/or community awareness events. Another chapbook on intimate love poet
January 8, 2004, 1:55 p.m., C.S.T.~
