Weds., October 10, 2006~

Dear Journal~

This is Louisiana. I am sorry if I haven't been writing in my journal in a while, but things have been happening (some good, some bad), and my emotions are a mixed jumble about now.

My friend in California, Naomi Cohen, is facing one of the worst possible crises ever to hit a family: her youngest daughter, Daniella, has been kidnapped, and at last report, she is still missing. They don't know where she is, but they think she may have been taken back to her former home in Israel. As you can imagine, the Cohens are shattered, and whenever I get her e-mails or hear her voice on the phone, my heart is stabbed. All I can do is pray for the safe return of Daniella, that she is found (safe and unharmed), and that the family is soon reunited. Poor Naomi and her husband, Micah, have been overwhelmed with grief, and my heart  grieves along with thiers.

Secondly, Audrey is still facing some difficult challenges with her daughter, Susie, who has had to endure many painful surgeries, and she is still trying to recover. Their other daughters are safe, thank goodness, but I wonder what will happen next. So much has happened to that family it  has been unreal!

Thirdly, I was sick myself: I had a virus about a week and a half ago that about knocked me out for the punch, and for a while, I was beginning to wonder if I was going to end up in the hospital. I was having frequent, explosive diarrhea and vomiting, and I felt terrible.

 Poor Bill, he tried his best to take care of me, but I could tell that he was tired because not only did  he have a sick wife (me) to deal with, he  had all the children to deal with.

The only good thing that came out of this experience was that he and none of  the children got the virus (thank you, Lord! :)  ). I am now  recovered, and my appetite has returned with a vengeance. I did lose a lot of weight as a result of my illness (I did need to lose weight, but that was not the way to do it!). Now I am skinny, particularly in my face, and I lost some of my chest, and it is going to be a while before I put the weight I lost back on.

The weather has turned delightful: fall is definitely in the air, and it may even turn colder in a few days, thanks to a sharp cold front that may cause severe weather with hail, tornadoes, damagaing downburst winds, and heavy lightning. Hopefully that won't happen. All I can do is pray that God protects us from the elements when the heavy weather does come!

In a few weeks is our church fall festival. It is always a good time, and the kids enjoy dressing up and getting to go on hayrides, hear Bible stories, and getting to gorge themselves on snacks, candy, and soda pop. The adults will be involved to, ministering to the community, and inviting people for fellowship, good times, and good food. We always enjoy this time of year; it is a good way to spend time with your family (as well as your church family).

Then after that we will start thinking about Thanksgiving and the blessings that the Lord has poured on us. That is the main reason why we celebrate, and we get to eat in God's bountiful harvest. Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays, and this year we don't have to worry about cooking because we are eating out. We are going to the Golden Corral for Thanksgiving.

I just found out that  my daughter, Dwerlina, is coming from Louisiana, along with her fiance', and I have found out that Lightning and her family in Colorado are coming too, as are Steffi, who is attending school in Texas, and Anh, who is going to seminary to become an evangelist. He is going to school here in Nashville. Even Dianna and Melizza are arriving; it will be a full house for sure! :) Whee! LOL

Well, this is all that is about new for now. I will write in here as things  develop. Stay tuned!

Take care, dear Journal, and God bless!

(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tennessee, Louie May. :)