LATELY AROUND THESE PARTS

The last few months have been full and slightly topsy-turvy.  It seems impossible that Cinco de Mayo is tomorrow....Happy Birthday, Monique!  I have been doing some traveling:  Spent a week in Springfield, Ohio with my dad in April.  We had a blast hanging out together.  One of the highlights of the trip was delivering Black Beauty (my first Trek FX bicycle) to her new home with my sister, Jolyn, who instantly fell in love with the wind in her hair and on her face as she learned how to "do the gears."  She said, "Are you sure this counts as exercise?  It seems so effortless."  I said, "Now you know why I like all those gears."  Maybe some day Jolyn will ride the Pan Ohio with me?

I spent the following long weekend in Lynchburg visiting David and Chris (and Nick and Brett and Andrea) and George!  We celebrated our 27th anniversary on April 23rd.  George gave me beautiful gifts, but the best one was the hotel room and time to put my feet up and read a good book.  (I read "The Last Song."  It was recommended by a dear friend who suggested I read it with Grace.)  Christian did the majority of the driving on the Lynchburg trip and spending 20 hours alone with him in the car was wonderful.  We don't take the time to sit and converse at home, so we took advantage of the uninterrupted hours in the car.  He's an interesting young man--few words, but thoughtfully spoken.

I have been very undisciplined about time spent working on "Free to be Fit" or whatever my book will be titled.  I did take one giant step by sending three chapters to the artist that is going to do the page layout and covers.  It really bothers me that this project continues to be so neglected by me.  I find it very difficult to make myself be still and work.  The projects around the house are so much more fun and I can instantly see progress when I am doing them.  I'm talking about things ike painting trim, re-arranging furniture and organizing closets.  I have been such a big talker about publishing it; now it's way past time to put feet to my words.

As you know, two trips are in my future, Lord willing.  First in July/August the Pan Ohio Hope Ride and then in October/November, the mission trip to Israel.  Interesting thing:  I have been putting links to financially support each of these trips in e-mails and on Facebook.  In the past few days, I have raised over $600 for the American Cancer Society Hope Lodges in Ohio and ZIP ZERO NADA NOTHING for Global Missions Project for my trip to Israel.  Cancer is a very "present" threat in so many lives and the need there resonates with nearly everyone.  Can you think of a single person whose life hasn't been touched by cancer in some way?  However, the ministry trip to Israel is just as far-reaching, but people don't seem to recognize that.  I am not going to lie; the thought of traveling to Israel is both exciting and scary.  I will get to play my flute along with other Christian musicians in an orchestra under the baton of Camp Kirkland, a church music hero of mine.  That is thrilling enough.  But the added joy of knowing that I will be serving in ministry--literally spreading the truth of the Gospel--is thrilling to me.  I have never been on a for-real mission trip, especially one that is out of the USA.  Both of my sons have been to several countries outside the States, but I've been nowhere except Canada and that was when I was a kid.  (Dad was USAF...we were stationed at Goose Air Base, Labrador Canada for two tours of duty.)  So, this trip to Israel is huge to me.  I keep telling George that the LORD will provide...I have no doubt He has "orchestrated" this trip for me. 

That's about it from here.  I have so many things to enjoy:  Riding my bike as much as possible to prepare for the Pan Ohio.  Working on raising funds for Israel.  Preparing for David to be home for the Summer.  Working on my book.  Rejoicing in God's abundance of blessings.  Thanks for reading.  God bless you.