Holland

For the past two weeks I've been dealing with a rather painful infection. My doctor is not sure what is going on and is sending to the hospital for the test games. Luckily this past visit she finally gave a full dose of antibiotics to kill the whatever and hopefully the pain.
Any who.
I have been busy with the kids who went to my favorite city in the world the past weekend. It is Holland, Michigan. I spent time on those wonderful beaches growing up. I grew closer and still grow closer to God each time that I am there. If you have never been there it feels like you are at the ocean. But not with the rough waves and salty water. On my visits to a distant cousin I would work hard and play all in one day. Aunt Mary as I would call her taught me cooking, planting, pruning, painting, making hospital corners and stopping to reflect quietly as we watched the water. I think that she spoke to me about God when we watched the magnificent sunsets. I can't recall what she said but I remember being in His presence with her near me. When we fell asleep at night she was always mindful to pray. She woke up with such pep and joy as she readied herself for the day. Her day started with a quick run up to the local church for morning mass and a walk to the newspaper box with her wonderful dog. She always had plans for the day. On some visits we prepared homes for refuges that her church sponsored. Buying furniture, clothes, food, toys and books for the families. We would then deliver the items to the newly arrived family. Oh! How scared they were. I would be too. Most were Vietnamese. To her last breath they were a loving devoted community to her every need. I could go on and on but this is a place that I would love to live and do the same or some other mission. I have been blessed!

rainy summer

To my recollection this has been the most it has rained since~ well forever. It has rained almost ever day since spring. April was rather dry around here and then May hit and we have had rain almost every day. Last weekend was the driest. Two and a half days without rain. The grass has ruts from the mowers. This has got to be good for the farmers. But I am not sure.
Anyway. Safia has become quite the cookie chef. I have the ultimate cookie recipe book and she is making a cookie from it each week. She and her friend made a double batch last week and combined it to make 9 dozen. This school year the staff passed around a little cookie recipe book. Each week someone made a recipe from the book and brought it in for the staff to taste. They signed and dated the book. It was rather fun. I am having her and whoever is with her sign and date this book. It will hopefully become a nice memory book.
Hey vote for the best scrapbooking store in Detriot. I luv scrapbooking in Clawson. http://www.scrapbookingclawson.com

updates

Wow! It has been too long. The children I watch during the the summer holidays are going to help me to keep an updated blog. If I make them to work they can certainly keep me accountable. Today the kids and I are trying to find how to make a bird feeder using a pop bottle. This has become rather tricky. I have lost my camera so putting a picture up of the final project may be delayed.
Last night was the visitation for my friend Nancy's father. I have known this family for approximately twenty years. May and Doc are her parents and I was trying to figure out how many years they were married. I think it was at least 65 years! They were truly a couple that was in love. As May says, "There wasn't a mean bone in Doc's body!" He was such a wonderful person. Doc was also a former POW from WWII. That is a story I will have to write when I have all of the facts straight. I do know that there was a time when May was pregnant and a telegram came that Doc was missing in action. Which implies that he was missing dead. She gave birth and of course Doc did not know that he had a son. I can't imagine what they went through. They seem to have lived a life of not wanting to miss out on the important things and appreciation every moment. May is having a difficult time remembering and putting things together but this is traumatic.
Enjoy the breath and life that was given to you today!