Louisiana, taking a break from packing for her upcoming trip to Sri Lanka, decides to email her friends in Alaska, to let them know what is going on in her life.
Sunday, January 9, 2005, 4 P.M., C.S.T.~
Dear Jenna and Michael~
I know it has been quite a while since I last wrote; and I am sorry if I haven't written since you went back to Alaska; but I have been unbelievably busy (and will only get more so, starting tomorrow). I am currently in the middle of finishing up my packing for my upcoming trip tomorrow. Tomorrow morning, at six, I am flying out of Nashville's airport, where I am then going to Sri Lanka for a week. I (and some of my co-workers, namely some of the doctors and nurses I regularly work with at my job) are going to help the tsunami/earthquake victims; and we will also be taking some medical supplies and equipment. We will be there for a week or two at the most; and no doubt, they will appreciate any (and all) help that we can give them. I have been keeping up with the situation on the news, and they say it is really bad there. I am trying to mentally prepare myself for the disaster scene and the heartbreak that these people are currently experiencing, and I have been doing an awful lot of crying and praying. Please keep me in your prayers; pray that we get there (and back) safely! I would appreciate it very much! Thanks!
I made this decision about Sri Lanka only last week; and the more I have thought about it, the more I have wanted to go. Which is now why I will be boarding a plane tomorrow to go to the region and help out. God put it into my heart only last week, like a week ago today, and I have already gotten my necessary shots and got my passport updated, and got my necessary papers together, to take with me on the trip. My husband is happy that I am going to help out people in need, but the kids are rather upset, and I know that tomorrow, when I leave, they will be hanging all over me, just crying their eyes out. No doubt, I will probably do a lot of crying myself; this is the farthest I have gone without my kids; and I am praying that nothing happens to them while I am in Sri Lanka!
How was your Christmas? Ours was good; we got a lot of nice things, and it was nice seeing the Williams family from California, and it was especially nice in seeing Steffi, Melizza, and Dianna again! It was also nice seeing you guys; we were NOT expecting to see you! You really surprised us!! We also loved what you got us, and you didn't have to go spending all that hard earned money on us! You should keep it for yourselves, not go spending it on your friends! Have you heard from Sikik Eegeesiak yet? We haven't heard from her in a while; we are hoping that she is okay! If you talk to her, tell her to drop us a line; and I will be sure to get back to her as soon as I am able!
How is the weather there in Alaska? (I already know that answer: COLD! LOL) Have you seen the Lights, or is Northern Light Season over until the spring? We haven't seen any auroras since the fall here; we did see some meteors last month, but no auroras. We have had alternating mild and cold days; we even had snow on Christmas Eve and we had a white Christmas; it was nice! The kids were having a ball playing in the snow, and we took pictures of the kids in the snow. If you want, we'll send you some of our Christmas time photos. Would you like that? Let me know! Thanks! But the weather has been bad in other parts of the country: storm after storm in California and the west, flooding in southern Ohio and Indiana, unseasonably warm weather in Texas and Arizona, with highs in the 70's to NEAR 80 degrees in some parts, and snow in the northeastern quadrant of the country. I guess we have been blessed here in Tennessee because our weather hasn't been TOO bad (although we DID have flooding before Christmas, but thankfully, THAT is finally overwith!). We didn't have any flooding at our house, but there was some high water in the lower parts of the city, and the lawn near the hospital where I work had water standing in it. It was scary! But we made it through; and then the snows came. We got nearly 8" of the white stuff, so the kids were really happy about THAT! So were we; we always seem to enjoy Christmas more when there is snow on the ground!
I hope this letter finds you both well and happy. We are doing well, as you can see; and I am happy to report that none of the kids have been in the hospital lately, which is something of a Miracle! The kids have been well, and they are all flourishing beautifully! I hope this good fortune upon my kids lasts; I HATE it when they get sick unexpectedly! I know I am a nurse, and I am trained to handle any emergency that may arise, but there is always something unnerving about an ambulance sitting in our driveway or the sight of paramedics working to revive one of my kids who has stopped breathing! How is your therapy coming along, Jenna? Any improvement in your movement of your one arm/hand? I know it is extremely frustrating, but all you got to do is try your best to regain what you have lost, and never give up. You are doing so well now, and I am really proud at how far you have come! I know Michael is too!
Did you know that one of my friends is expecting another baby? It's true ! My friend, M'Buti Moore-Sormiento, and her husband, Roberto, are expecting their fourth child; and it may possibly be twins! She is getting so big; and she is now on complete bedrest and can only get up out of bed to use the potty or go to her therapy and doctor's appointments. I am praying that all goes well with M'Buti's pregnancy; I will keep you informed as to how she is doing, and when the happy day finally does arrive! So stay tuned; there will be another little Sormiento running about (and maybe even more than THAT!)! M'Buti IS getting quite large; she is only four months pregnant, but she looks like she is about to deliver at any time: she is HUGE!!
Well, Jenna and Michael, I got to get back to my packing before church; and then I will finish after returning home; I will then hit the sack, and will be in bed no later than 10 at the most. I have to be up and at the airport BY 4 tomorrow morning if I am to catch the plane at six! So I will write to you when I am Sri Lanka, and I will let you know as to how I am faring. Until I hear from you (or you hear from me, whoever responds first!), you take care, and God bless! Love you both, and miss you too!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tn., Louisiana May. :)
What a wonderful group of characters you have Karen, I don't know how you come up with so many stories and interesting people, you are a very talented author!Kudo's...Love, Eileen
Sunday, January 9, 2005, 4 P.M., C.S.T.~
