Tuesday, December 16, 2008, Nashville, TN, 10:28 a.m., C.S.T.~
Dear Mattie And Family~
Hullo! Thank you so much for the beautiful Christmas card, and for the picture of the kids; they are beautiful, especially little Korina! I appreciate you taking the time to think of me enough to send a card! Did you get mine? Hope so!
We are just about ready for Christmas: not quite, but almost. We do have our tree up; we also have the outside lights on (blue icicle lights, really pretty!), our wreath, the candles, et. al, all the trappings that go along with Christmas.
Of course, the children are excited: it won't be long before Santa Claus comes; they have been trying their best to be good, which Bill and I appreciate. So far, they've managed to stay well, which has been a huge answer to prayer!
We've started our Christmas Cantata at church. We had it this past Saturday and Sunday; we have it again this weekend, and on Christmas Eve. So far, the performances have gone without a hitch, but on Sunday evening, Johnny's hearing aids conked out; he had difficulty trying to follow along with the action, so he could sign to the deaf members of our church, but thankfully, another lady came to help him out. I'm just glad Johnny has backup hearing aids!
Speaking of Johnny, he has a girlfriend. Rebekkah Rachel Cohen has written to him, twice; he's already written to her once, and I suspect will be writing to her again sometime within a day or two. He's been on cloud nine; I swear if he could, he would float right out of his wheelchair; he's been in a great mood, and it's wonderful to see!
Ronee' is driving now. She got her license just around Hallowe'en, and she is a very good young driver. I just pray she doesn't get into any trouble or (God forbid!) an accident; there are so many crazy drivers out there on the road, and I worry not only about Ronee', but my other children who drive! She is driving my husband's red Volkswagen Beetle; she just loves that car!!
The kids are busy looking for jobs; so far, nothing's come of light. I tell them not to give up hope; it's just the economy is doing so badly; hardly anyone's hiring right now. Hopefully by the spring, the economy will improve somewhat; until then, the kids will have to take what they can get.
I'm still working, as is Bill; I pray we continue to be able to provide for our family. So far, God's been faithful, providing our needs when we seem to need them the most; He's never let us down yet! (And I don't expect Him to! *Giggle*)
Meanwhile, between worrying about kids behind the wheel or finding gainful employment, I also worry about their health. While the kids haven't had any major illnesses/hospitalizations, Jodie, our daughter who has spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, had foot surgery a month ago; she's still recovering. Her feet were drawing downward, causing her intense pain; we had no choice but to have her undergo this surgery. Thank GOD she came through it alright; she was in the hospital for only a few days, and she did not have any complications, which was nothing short of miraculous!
Our granddaughter, Jamee Nichelle, who has muscular dystrophy, was chosen to represent the Colorado Chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association; she was made their Poster Child for 2009-2010. We are very proud of her! She will be making television appeqrances throughout the Rocky Mountain Region of the United States, and she will be appearing at MDA functions, fairs, and other events. She has a very busy year ahead of her; I am sure she will enjoy herself!
Our son, Johnathon, has been down this route: he was the Tennessee Valley's MDA Poster Child when he was six to eight years old; he did a wonderful job, and he got to meet many famous people, rub elbows with them. He even got to meet the Chairman, Jerry Lewis, when he was almost seven years old; he met him at the National Muscular Dystrophy Telethon in Las Vegas, Nevada.
I am glad you are thinking of adopting again. You know I will be supportive with whatever you do, and if you have any questions, I will be more than happy to answer them as best as I possibly can! I pray you will get the child you so desire; I will be praying hard for y'all!
Naomi Cohen and her husband, Micah, have adopted a little girl from Mumbai, India; she should be arriving around Christmastime, the way things stand now. I don't know her name yet, but I am sure I will before too long. I am so happy for them I could just bust!! :)
How is the weather there? Any snow? We have had some snow already; it promises to be a long, cold, snowy weather. We just may have a white Christmas. I love this time of year; I just don't like the wind along with the cold; it's enough to turn me into a human popsicle! LOL Give me the warmth of summertime anyday; I'm a hot weather person! LOL
I don't mind the cold; it's the WIND that kills me!!
Well, I am going to go now; have to get back to the kids; I hear Isaiah, Emir, Arjun, and Ian rising from their naps; they've been asleep for the past two hours. (I am off today from work; one of my nurses switched with me; she's working for me today because I worked for her last week.) Until later, take care and may God bless you mightily; I will write back as soon as I can! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year; may it be your best EVER!!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tennessee, Louisiana May. :D
