Friday, January 27, 2006~

Dear Louisiana~

Thank you so much for your prayers and concern; with friends like yourself, Fred, Pearlie, and myself don't NEED to worry about the future! Sure, we are displaced right now, due to the fire, but Rachel and her family have opened their home (and hearts) to take us in in our time of need, and it has helped us emotionally. Your letters of prayer/encouragement have also been a tremendous help, and for that, we canNOT thank you enough!

I  loved your letter; I am glad that things are going well for you and your family, but your description of the Mexican food made my mouth water. I absolutely ADORE Mexican food!! YUMM! (Can you send me any extra tacos if you have any?? *grins*) Pearl Xie is doing okay, all things considering, but she misses her old home, and she knows that something bad has happened. She has been sadder than normal, but being with Rachel and her family have taken the sting out a little. She also has me with her, and that has helped, too. She is such a shy, quiet child, and everything is still quite new and strange to her; I pray she adjusts soon! I worry about my baby girl...

I am glad that your daughter, Ronee', gets such joy out of singing. From the sounds of it, it seems that she is quite dedicated to her craft, and she seems to be BORN to be a star. I would like to hear her sing sometime (or hear one of her CD's, that is, if she has any out!!). How long has she been singing, and where exactly has she performed? Do any of your other children sing/play music/perform on stage? I bet they are just as good as Ronee'! Do YOU sing or play music, and does your husband? I am just wondering is all.

How is the weather there in Nashville? Here it is cloudy, and we may get some needed rain fall by tomorrow. I hope so; we are so desperate for rain it is NOT funny! Have YOU had any rain there?

I had to laugh when I read about the "American Idol" auditions and your children pretending that they were auditioning for it! But I am glad that your daughter, although too young, was brave enough to audition. She sounds like such a trouper! I would have been a bundle of nerves had I had to sing in front of the judges like that! I would be afraid to hear what Simon (Cowell) thought of my singing. Let's put it this way: I am NO Kelly Clarkson or Fantasia (I can't remember her last name!)! LOL I sound more like a cat in heat when I sing! LOL MREEEEEEEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOWW!! LOL

Well, dear friend, I will go now; Rachel is getting ready to take us to the store, to shop for food and some clothes, shoes, and stuff like that. We are looking for a new place, but for now, we are staying with the Elsworths. I will let you know what happens down the road; this won't be the LAST time you will hear from me, no siree! Take care, dear friend, and thank you so much for all your prayers, support, and encouragement during this hard time in our lives! We are much better off because of caring, compassionate angels like yourself! God bless you most mightily, and may you always know that you have a good friend in my hubby and in myself!

Love, your (Oklahoma-Kansas) friends, Wilma (and Fred) Gardner. :)