Weds., April 16, 2008, 6:24 a.m., D.S.T., Nashville, TN~

Dear Journal~

Louisiana here.  Thought I'd write a quickie entry into my journal prior to headin' out the door to go to work...Hope this finds y'all well!

We are doing great; life couldn't be any better! :)  We are indeed blessed!

Heard from Kendra Williams-Kent; it's been a very long time.  She is adopting more children into her family, and it seems that her daughter, Missy, has been bitten by the adoption bug, too:  she (Missy) just adopted a little girl from Burma named Anuragini (something like that); she's a little cutie pie!

Seems that I've influenced some people.  :)

I am glad that people are discovering the joy of adoption: everyone needs a child to love, especially a child who is in desperate need of a home or family!

We've done our share of adopting over the years; now the kids are growing up fast.  Seems like it was only yesterday when I was changing diapers on little ones or wiping snotty little noses--now they're eatin' me out of house and home, and some are on the brink of starting college.  Wow! Time sure does fly when one is having fun! LOL

Bill and I will be celebrating our fifteenth wedding anniversary (or is it the sixteenth?? I can't remember! LOL) on June 26 of this  year, and this year, on the 10th of June, I am turning 40.  Forty--and am already completely grey (though you wouldn't know it; Lady Clairol and I are best friends! LOL).

I also have pains in my joints; have already had back surgery (twice!!), and my breasts are starting to sag southward.  NICE.  I have gained weight (and I'm already a little butterball:  I am as round as I am tall! LOL); I need to go on a diet.

Don't worry about exercise: I get more than enough, chasing kids! LOL

Still involved with the adoption community:  writing e-mails, directing people to reputable adoption agencies, answering their questions, etc.  I do that until the wee hours of the morning, especially on weekends, after the kiddies are in their beds.  Sometimes I don't get to bed until 2-3 in the morning; then I'm usually up by seven. 

I sometimes wonder how I can keep going like this on so little sleep.  I know it's not good for me; it's only by the grace of God that I've not collapsed in sheer exhaustion!

Speaking of God (okay, church!), last Sunday we had missionaries from Kenya, Africa (as well as a children's choir; they were also from Kenya) as guests; they ministered to the congregation in song and message.  It was most moving, and two of my children (Johnathon and Ronee') are thinking of going into the missions field when they are a little older. 

Both have a heart for people, and they would love to spread the Good News to people who are lost, particularly children or teenagers.

Johnny and Ronee' have recovered from their most recent hospital stays (both hospitalized only overnight, for observation), and Debby and Loueva haven't had any more surprise asthmatic attacks.  Everyone is well, healthy, at Camp Sandusky; I pray to God that this continues!

Ronee' had a panic attack; Johnny, a seizure.  That is why they were in the hospital briefly overnight.

We survived the storms of last week; minor damage.  Could have very easily been a lot worse.  The most damage we had here was some tree limbs, branches in our yard as well as some shingles that'd been blown off.

We also suffered damage to our nerves; that was major.  LOL

Thank God for our safe room within our basement.....Seems we've spent several days already there this year, quaking in terror of the storms ragin' outside, praying to God to spare us (in which He has, thank You, Jesus!!). :D

Well, gotta run--it's about time for me to shut'er down, get going to work.  The boss-man doesn't like it when I'm late; he gets annoyed.  I will write in here again, probably in a few days to a week (depending on how busy I get). 

Until next time, this is Louisiana signin' out of here.  Take care and may God bless you as much as He's been blessing me!

~Love, your friend in Tennessee, Louie May. :D