April 2011, Nashville, Tennessee~

Dear All~

Tippie D. Young writing.  I know it's been quite a while since you last heard from me (my last entry was on July 4, 2010!); I hope you understand.

Let me explain why I haven't written.  First of all, my obligations to my family (husband Kirkland and our sons, Kenneth and Kirkland, Jr.) and my job at Christ Community Assembly of God Church here in Nashville (I am a nursery school worker; I work with the little kids).  Secondly, I have been busy practicing for the Cantata, which is coming up fast.  I am not singing a solo this year, but I am a part of the play: I play Mary Magdalene, mother of Jesus.

The practice sessions are going well; I have learned my lines, and I think I am ready.  I just hope the message of Easter reaches down deep into people's hearts; Easter is much more than Easter bunnies, baby chickens or ducklings, or dyed eggs!

Why do you think Easter is also known as 'Resurrection Sunday'??

Thirdly, I have been working on my book.  I have sent the manuscript in; I sent it last month.  Hopefully it will be accepted; if so, I will have a book out later this year.  I have entitled it "God's Grace In Times of Severe Illness: My Story Of Hope And Ultimate Healing".  It is about when I had been sick with the flesh-eating bug known as necrotizing fasciitis.

While I was recovering from the NF, I suffered a small stroke; I still have the effects today (partially paralyzed arm and leg/foot; I wear a simple AFO on my affected leg, and my arm is still paralyzed; I can move it a little, but not that much).  I still tire easily, so after I get home from work, I usually crash and sleep for a while; then I'm fine.

Because I work, my disability pay has been cut, but I still get something ($100 a month).  It does help with the bills.  And Kirkland has his job; so right now we aren't really hurting (though that could very well easily change with the ever rising gas prices, which, in kind, drives up the cost of everything else!). 

The weather has been alternating between sunny and beautiful to good and stormy.  We've had several rounds of severe thunderstorms, even with the threat of tornadoes; the last storm we had (a few days ago), the tornado sirens went off twice; it was scary!!

I don't know what the future holds, but right now, life is good.  I pray it continues.  I have to go; it's time for me to get back to work; was on my lunch break when I started writing in here.  Take care, and may God bless you always!  Pray for continuing improved health on my part; your prayers are greatly appreciated!  And pray we don't get hit with any more bad weather!

~Love, your friend in Tennessee, Tippie D. Young.