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This was the first report from Shirley in Africa.  She posted it on Facebook.  I'm glad she is now using email instead.  Janet

Malawi update 1.


by Shirley Williams on Monday, June 13, 2011 at 6:22am
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Dear Delbert, JoAnne, Kenneth, Craig, \Leanne, Janet and all you people on my friends list.  We have had a busy three days in Blantyre, working on the attic in the church.  Foursquare.  We worked until 7:00 last evening and finished.  it was a hard job.  Two men helped us though.  The lumber yard was unique.  Rough tembers stacked on the roof of little buildings.  It was supposed to be 1X8 but it was almost two inches on one end.  Green and wet.  Very heavy.  Of course the little battery operated tool we brought would not handle the work.  We fried the batteries the first day and had to take a mini bus down town and buy a corded 7 1/2 inch saw.  It cost $100.00 U.S.  but it was worth it . I had to tell them what to buy and it became my job to cut the boards.  I couldn't get into the attic as you would have to be part monkey to make it.  It was designed that way to prevent theft.

The ladder I used to repair the ceiling which was pushed down from walking on it, was a challenge.  It was make of tree limbs and the steps were about 2 1/2 feet apart!

As Church was starting yesterday, a young girl I had met the day before, came and ask me to help with the childrens class.  I was not prepared, but went and it turned out well.  The children were very attentive.  There were about 25 little bright faces smiling at me.

This is a very interesting experience.  A city of well over a million people, each trying to ek out a living in a very poor nation.  Average income is $300.00 per year.

I wish you could see the shops and the open markets.  Tiny shops 6X8 maybe, joined to one another line the streets.  The sidewalks, if there are any are lined with men working at tredel sewing machine, making everything from suits to purses, Card table where they work repairing cell phones, watches, clocks, etc.

Every street corner is occupied with people trying to sell something.  People beg for money or food all along the way.  The tell me if you give to them you will be mobbed. 

The rest of the mission team is supposed to arrive today or tomorrow.  Then we will begin our mission to the out lying villages.  That will be a total new experience.



This afternoon we are going to go to some shops and look for souvineers (spelling)

We have to quibble over the price of everything, so I will let Eli buy for me.  He has some experience at it and can understand them.  They speak English but with a very strong Malawian accent.



Tim and Eli are wonderful traveling companions.  They really look after me, which is a good thing.  Even the climb up the hill from the highway to the church is a challenge for me.  It is steep and rocky.  I am out of breath by the time we get there.  Everyone has to walk to the church as it is on the side of the mountain and there is no road up there.



We have to catch a Japanese make mini bus everywhere we go, which is quite a challenge in itself.  They pack it full like sardines in a can, and it smells almost that bad.  The old buses are so beat up and rattlely I wonder if they will make it, but the brakes are good.  They have to be.  If one hits a pedestrian they have to immediately take the person to the hospital and the driver will be charged and usually face jail time.  They are very skilled drivers as well as very careful.  The steering wheel is on the right and they drive on the right.  The roads are awful, especially inside the bus terminal.  I don't know how to explain it.  Rocks, holes, bumps, everything to make it rough.



The people carry everything on their heads.  The women can carry a baby on their back and a tub of something on their head and walk over this rough ground as if it were a smooth sidewalk.  They are amazing. There are very few overweight people here.  I think they walk it off.  They walk miles every day.  There are many vehicles here, but the average person doesn't own one.  If they did it would be awful because the streets are dangerous to cross as it is.  They do have a few traffic lights though.



We will be coming to the internet cafe every week to send you an update, so if you want to send a message you can do so on facebook. I hope it will still be there when we come again.



I miss all of you back there and my dogs!



Until next time.



Shirley









Janet Damon Thanks for that update, Shirley! It sounds a lot like some of the countries we have visited. You continue to be careful, okay? We miss you and want you home safe and sound, so you can tell us all your adventures in person. Love and miss you, dear sister!
June 13 at 10:24am



JoAnne Young
Mom it was so good to hear from you, you paint a very interesting picture,I can see the smiling faces of the children,what a joy it is to teach attentive children! I pray every morning for you and the group ministering. Remember the same Sp...See More

June 13 at 6:52pm







Craig Garman
Mom I am also elated to have a mother who has taken the opportunity to go on this life changing missions trip. Not only life changiing for the ones you went to minister to but for yourself and those of us who get to be a part of it through ...See More

June 15 at 7:15am










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I know I couldn't do that???  Way to go Etta Sue!

Janet are you still going on that mission trip?  You mentioned it a while back and don't know if it is cancelled or not,

Slept well last night. Was awake way too early.  Got a text from Heather and she is at the bus station in Toronto with no money to get to her destination.  Finally got hold od her husband and got that sorted out,  God always wakes you up in time.

Looks like today wll be a rainy day.  Hope it clears at some point!

Love the report from Shirley.  She makes you have a perfect visual of what she is doing.  Great writer!  Tell her I said so, Janet!

Ah, that's one of the drawbacks for being a widow for almost 20 years.  You have to learn to do things yourself.  I bought my Malibu new in January 2002.  Nine years and 5 months later it had 93,902 miles on it.  The Cruze had 24 and I put 8 of those on test driving it. 

Ivalou bought a new 2001 Buick and it doesn't have 50,000 on it yet!!  And now that she is having rehab, she says she is putting too many miles on her car!  But when we go anywhere on long trips, I drive my car.  Mine has been to Florida 2-3 times.  Missouri.  I can't remember where all. 

Today is an appointment with our LP Nurse Andrea for Ivalou.  Then a lay over so we will find something to eat.  Then Ivalou has rehab and I have rehab.  Then I would like to go to WalMart and return my speakers that didn't work for me and some items for my covered dish for Sunday's picnic at church.  And guess whose car I am driving?? ??

Sun is trying to peek but it is suppose to rain today.  Tom Cruze got wet last night when I took Ivalou for a drive.  And will probably get wet today.  That's okay.  The rain drops makes the Metallic Red sparkle more! 

Hi everyone.  The morning is about gone.  We had a nice shower while at McDonald's this morning and it had ended by the time we left.  We are predicted to have more rain this afternoon or evening.  However, the temperature is in the 80's today and really appreciated.

Etta Sue, your link worked well. What a nice looking car.  Is that a picture of you or Ivalou?  Now you will have to plan some car trips to get it out on the road.  The remote start will be nice during the winter to let it warm up a bit before you get into it.  Don't you wonder what they will come up with next.

Ruth Ann, hope you are feeling better today.

Janet, thanks for once again sharing your sister's story of her mission trip.  It is obviously an experience never to be forgotten.

I know I haven't commented to everyone but just know I have read your postings and will try to catch you next time.  We had a good Bible study this morning.  Unfortunately Pat wasn't feeling up to going or doing anything.  Her fibromyalgia is really acting up.  Have choir tonight but then we get a five week hiatus from practice and singing on Sunday mornings.  I am looking forward to that but will miss the singing.

Judy, the trip I mentioned was the one Shirley is now on.  She really wanted me to go along so she could come home sooner (she is a real home-body) but I prayed about it, and God wasn't calling me to go on this one.  He said for me to stay at home and support her.  So I am doing that.  I gave her money, and pray for her daily.

Larry, give Pat my best wishes for her to feel better quickly.

I woke up at 2:30 and wasn't able to go back to sleep, so am dragging now.  Went to the Care home and had lunch (monthly barbecue) with Beth and John, then clipped and filed her fingernails.

A dear painting friend passed away; I will be attending her funeral tomorrow.    It's hard to see them go, but I know that she is in a much better place, can walk again without a walker, and no liver cancer.

Here is Shirley's grandson Eli's first Malawi update:

   Date: Thursday, June 9, 2011, 7:13 AM




Hey Guys! Hope you guys are all doing great! I know I am! Found out the other day that I can recieve text messages in Africa for free, so if you want to get ahold of me or just say something nice, I will get those messages from you guys! Thought you guys should know.



We did great on getting here! It took an eternity, it seemed like. We got to the airport in KSC and our flight was delayed, which put us on our toes. We got to Chicago about 10 minutes before the plane left, and as usual, the gate was a mile away. Ha ha! That was okay though, I sprinted to the gate and had them save a spot for Tim and my Grandma, they got there in time and we got on the plane with no problem. We then took an 8 hour flight to London, slept most of the way, after watchin a bit of TV. In London, we left the airport for a while, got to see Westminister Abbey, Big Ben, the Thames, and the eye, as well as riding on the Tube (or the Underground) (Subway). That was cool. I guess grandma has never really been on such a thing, so we just had to. From London, after our 8 hour layover, we got on the plane to Nairobi, and only had to be in the airport for about 2 hours, then got on a plane to Lilongwe, Malawi. We all tried to stay awake during Malawian time for our benefit! IT WAS HARD!!! Regardless, we got to Lilongwe and met with a guy from the Foursquare Church, Lomgomba? I think that was his name. He took us by his care to Blantyre, another 4 hours, which was horrible. Not that the ride was horrible, it was trying to stay awake and getting to the hotel and whatnot. Soooo sleep deprived, but we got back and did our thing by 6....got to bed by nine! It's winter here, so at 4pm we already wanted to go to bed--that would have been 8am in Central Time hours!



Woke up this morning and I'm completely rested! I love being in Malawi, it is such a pretty place. Got to meet Snoya yesterday, which was amazing and fun and great! Today we're just resting. We exchanged the money that we had, got a cell phone, got some water and coffee (Grandma is addicted), and now we're at the internet cafe. It seems like today will just be a rest day, we kind of need it. But! Tomorrow, we start on the attic! That should be fun. We found out that they have pretty cheap plywood here, so we're going to look at that tomorrow, take some measurements, and get started. We have till monday to do so, then the entire team comes in from Lilongwe that day. Me and Tim are doing great, we're energetic and moving like torpedoes, not so much grandma, but we're trying to slow down for her sake! I think she's most just city shocked! I know that sounds weird, but we are in a big city with lots of people, and She's a country girl, so I think that once we start going into the villages she'll be fine! We start that on next wednesday. If your interested: medical team is going to be in Chikwawa, Malawi and the preaching team is going to be in Nsanje, Malawi. Googlemap it! Me and grandma will be on the medical team, while tim's on the other team. It seems like we have a busy start! I LOVE IT! THE MORE WE GET DONE, THE MORE WE CAN GLORIFY GOD...HA HA! At least, I hope that's how that works.



I think for the remainder of the day, we'll probably go shove some African food down my grandma's throat, walk around, and just rest for the rest of the day. I wanted to get you guys updated. Please continue to pray for us. We love you guys and thanks for all your support!
--
Elias R. Garman

Janet:  How interesting the reports from Africa!  Thank you.

Al:  not many would admit not thinking about the ON/OFF switch - you are a winner in my mind.   

Sick here with a viral intestinal thing.  Now on some meds & there will be a scan of the esophagus in future. 



 

 

Hi, friends, WHADDA DAY! Isn't it great that our Lord grants us strength and wisdom in difficult days.

1. I got an email from my cousin about our sweet Mabel who died last week. Her arrangements include funeral and burial in Kentucky tomorrow and then a memorial service here in Nashville on Monday. Since she loved SO many people here in our apartments, and since I'm her cousin living here, many people have stopped to express how lost they feel without her prayers, loving hugs, and radiant face. So, I took the information from the email and prepared an announcement about the memorial service to be posted downstairs. The "uppity" person at the window gave me some flack, but when I returned tonight, it was posted along with printed out map and directions from a website.

2. A dear friend has been growing more and more sick for abut a week and a half. So, when I called for my daily update, she was so ill someone was there to even help her dress. Last night she let me know the extent of her problem, so I knew a hospitalization was imminent. I phoned the doctor (am in her charts as her emergency person) and explained the problem. Reminded them about being her emergency person but that someone else had kind of bullied her into being willing to see the dr.

3. Next, a call from the doctor's nurse: "We are admitting her to the hospital so please come fetch her and take her there." So, quickly I dressed and scurried to the doctor's office. HE HIMSELF pushed her wheelchair to my car, lifted her up to help her get in (shes 83), and gave me instructions to ark at the visitor's entrance and take her directly to her room. He considered her hospitalization so urgent that he had cut all the red tape and admitted her by telephone so she could begin treatment immediately.

4. Next was calling those who love her, and settling into a chair to rest in her hospital room.

5. Someone came to relieve me. I headed home to get my medications, get a bit of lunch (ummmm, by this time it was 4:30 pm), and see someone with whom I had an appointment.

6.Got a call from my disabled son. I have a sleep study tonight and have such a raging headache I'll need you to take me.

7. Spent 30 minutes at the nursing home comforting and singing to my 90 year old cousin (about whom I spoke the other day).

So, now, it's after 8 pm, and the next task is to set up my medications daily doses in their own little holders for the next week.

(WHEW!!!)

After how shower and snack, I think I'll head for the bed.

G'nite, friends!

Ruth Ann

OH, my, Ruth Ann!  You didn't just have a day, I think you had at least two of them in the last 24 hours!  May our Father continue to give you strength. 

Ruth Ann, you continue to be a blessing wherever you go.  May God continually uphold you and give you strength for the journey.  What a loving, giving heart you have. 

Thanks Carol, but you need to understand that I did think of the on/off switch and looked for it - but couldn't find it, though I looked fairly carefully.  On my previous computer, it was on the right side of the back, and it a was pretty obvious "bump" back there, but on this one it's not obvious at all, and it's on the right side.  I just couldn't find it! But at least now I know where it is.

Ah!  Africa!  Eli is a great writer.  Love him already!  You can tell he has love for everyone! 

I am thinking I would love to go to Africa but I also want to go in my Cruze!  Can't drive my Cruze to Africa!!  And I can't think of anywhere I would like to go for a couple of days!  Ivalou and I were going to Dayton to get her granddaughter but the g-daughter decided to stay home with her sisters and brother while Mom goes on a mission trip to New York City next week.  So that is out!  Maybe we could go somewhere overnight 4th of July weekend! 

And Larry, that is me on Facebook with my Cruze.  Some one said to call it Tom (Cruze) but now I am thinking of changing it to Hawaii (cruze)!  It's bright red and vibrant...that's Hawaii! 

Today is a do nothing day.  Not even laundry!  I have a meeting tonight at church for about an hour but that's it.  Other than that I plan to 'cook' some lunch, catch up on recorded TV shows and knit.  And I think I have some updates on my Droid. 

Does anyone know about Bluetooth and/or On Star?  I have both available on Hawaii!  I talked to On Star and have gotten an email from them, watched a video.  I doubt if I keep it after the free OnStar runs out!

Etta Sue, I don't have any bluetooth experience, but know that it works with cell phones.

How nice to have the new car and its fun gadgets!

I'm off to make "hospital rounds."

Will see y'all later today, most likely.

Ruth Ann

Ruth Ann you made me tired just reading about your day yesterday. 

Had Kass at physio today and he has given her more home exercises.  I think her ankles will be strengthened when all is said and done.

Have a good day.

   Good day to all .  I have been going over the post's and it seems as per usual that all of us have a very busy life but that is good and it keeps us young.  I have been busy since last Wednesday as my older brother has arrived from Scotland and we have been going to lots of places.  I am sure that many of you know that I was promoting the Ernie Haase and Signature Sound concert where I live and it was a great success.  Praise the Lord for that  and the two other concerts that went on were also a success.  My brother enjoyed that very much and then my best friend gave me a gift for my birthday to go to  The Last Night Of the Proms. which is very British but also it is so funny that you will never forget it so it has been so much fun.

We also went to Fantasy Island which is on Grand Island N.Y. just outside Buffalo then the next day we went to buffalo Zoo and we did this with our own kids and our grandkids so it has been very busy but that is good.

I again thank all of you who pray for Noreen and I and please continue to do this as Noreen has some very hard days. We both trust that you are all having a wonderful summer and that God's richest Blessings to all an C.P.   

  Love in Christ to all.   Gordon and Noreen.

Gord, it's always good to hear from you.  You seem to have been totally enjoying your brother's visit!

It's a typical early summer day here in northern New York.  Cloudy, cool, breezy and thunderstorms rolling through.  One this morning was a real banger.  When I hear those loud, house-shaking crashes I always think of the line in "How Great Thou Art" - "...I hear the rolling thunder, thy power throughout the universe displayed". 

Good thought, Jeanne.  I wish we would hear some rolling thunder and feel some cooling showers!  We did have a little shower early this morning, just barely enough to pock up the ground, but cool off the temp a little.  We are thankful for each and every drop!

I was up and out early, to drive the hundred or so miles to my friend Deloris' funeral.  She was something of a pioneer!  She was an early graduate (1947) of KU (Kansas University) after having graduated from Colorado Women's College.  She had a degree in business and had planned to become a buyer for a large store; but life has a way of changing our plans.  She came back to SW Kansas to work as a teacher for two years, and during that time met and married her husband, became a farmer, adopted two kids, was one of the first women in the nation to serve on a school board; did all the accounting and books for the farming operation, learned to paint, plus lots of other things.  She was a very sharp, intelligent woman, and a wonderful, caring friend.  She was 85 years young, and I shall miss her.

Gord, good to see you posting again!

Etta Sue, have fun getting acquainted with Tom or Hawaii or whatever you decide Cruze's name is to be.  I'm sure you will find a fun place to go for a couple days' retreat!  Glad you enjoyed Eli's report--want to read another one?
See everybody later!

Al:  Do understand. We have our 2nd. Nissan car and this one has the gas on the right passenger side so both of us have pulled up wrong to the pump at times.   I have been meaning to ask how your legs are faring these days.  What are you up to these days? 

Ruth Ann:  Your friends and neighbors are fortunate to have you close - good for you for your caring observations. 

Your friend was a pioneer in schooling - that little college in the Springs is world renowned now.  Yes, life just throw us in ways we never dream about.  Sorry for your loss but you sure do have great memories. 

Etta Sue:  Will have to see a picture of your new red car.  Red cars get more tickets...... so I have heard.  They just look like they are speeding. 

Carol - thanks for asking re/my legs, etc.  All things considered, I'm doing fairly well, although they're still  pretty swollen, so they don't bend very well and they're heavy.  So, all in all, I'm not doing any sprinting.  Can't walk very far or very fast - which I'd like to be able to do.  So I need patience from our Lord.

Janet I enjoyed Eli's letter.

Not much going on here, Craig and Stephanie are coming down from Portland tonight but won't be staying here. We will be getting together with them tomorrow to have dinner at A Chinese place.

I have been working on the Baby Afghan  a little bit each day until my hands start to hurt again. today I started working on another page for my website  and got stumped on what kind of an image I want to create. I just had a great idea I wil do a  Christian page with Jesus in the image. Thank you Jesus!!!

Well it's Friday, so here we go again!  Nothing on the agenda this morning, so we have a little free time.  Social security is a week and a half away yet, so we won't be spending up a storm, that's for sure.

Hi eveyone.  The schedule is light today.  Just need to take our daughter back to her apartment.  However, that takes up the morning.  We had a very pleasant day here yesterday with light rain all morning and then reasonably cool weather the rest of the day.  It appears to be overcast for today.

Janet, what a sense of excitement the young man projected through is posting.  What an experience he is having and it sounds like it could be life changing for him.

Ruth Ann, what a day filled with service for others.  You are to be commended for your kindness and gentle heart.

Etta Sue, I have used Blue Tooth with my new android phone and computer and it worked very well.  I think it works very well and isn't difficult to setup.  

Gord, great you can have your brother visit and do things with him such as attend the concert.

Janet, Deloris had a very interesting life and background.  Sorry that she is no longer living.

Carol, I had the gas cap on different sides of cars for a long time and always had to check or would be on the wrong side.  Fortunately, both of my Hyundai's have it on the driver's side, which is more convenient.

Marilyn, enjoy your webpage building experience.  It is always nice to see the results of our efforts.

About time to leave for Atlanta.  Hope everyone enjoys a nice day.

Carol ~ Here is a picture of Hawaii and I!

Larry ~ I noticed that I have Bluetooth on Droid and I have Bluetooth on Hawaii!  Now to find out how to get them to work together.  Maybe I should read my instruction book, ya reckon?

Janet ~ I like Hawaii better than Tom.  The only drawback is since I have Hawaii, the car, I doubt if I will ever see Hawaii, the islands ever again!  Not until my rich uncle passes away and leaves me all his money.     Or my ship comes in...but I never sent out a ship....

Gord ~ Good to hear from you.  And I see you and Noreen have been busy, too!  I said something about your post so phffft! 

Today is swim rehab for me.  My time was 3½ hours before Ivalou so we decided to each drive ourselves.  She was having wobbly legs Wednesday so I called to make sure she was okay to drive today.  She got a call this morning from rehab saying Jen, the therapist, is home with three sick children today.  But I have swim rehab with Jacquie so I will be leaving by 10am. 

Then a bite to eat and I need water softener salt and a few things from WalMart.  Then home until church Sunday morning.

Here is Eli's second update:

Date: Monday, June 13, 2011, 6:06 AM


Hey guys! How are all of you! I'm fine...ha ha! It seems like that is all i say when i'm in Malawi! They love their greetings! I'm loving it here! The weather is perfect, the terrain is amazing, the people are soo cool and we're actually getting some work done. The last couple of days have been busy. We get to work around 9am and don't stop until about 6 or 7! That's been okay, not gonna lie! We finally finished building the attic in the church, and tomorrow, we will be working on the inventory of all the Water Wells for Africa things. The rest of the team flies into Lilongwe (the capital) today, and it seems like they will be spending the night there. Then they have a four hour bus ride to Blantyre. They'll be tired, so me and Tim will probably be doing some shopping tomorrow for all the teams, plus doing the inventory! It should be fun. I'm loving riding in the minibuses here! they crammmmm about 4 people in a row (the seats meant for 3) and fit about 18 people in a little van sized bus! I think grandma is getting the full experience of city life and Africa life! It's fun to see her reaction to most things! She really likes taking pictures of the natural stuff. Me and Tim were joking the other day that grandma would be one of those nature observers where we would be the cultural observers! She's got sooo many questions that we can answer either...I wish i knew more so that i could clue her in...That's why we have Snoya I guess.

Oh, the attic! We got it built in three days! We had a carpenter helps us build it--Edwin White, from the church! He does everything by hand! He was really put off on using a power saw, but then we showed him how much faster it would take and he seemed to love it. We saw him use it the other day, and it was one of the funniest things to see! He just ripped right through the wood. Tim, Grandma, and I just stood back hoping that he wouldn't hurt himself. He was persistent though. Snoya loved it as well...we told him, he could be a carpenter now! Again, the attic took us 3 days to build--after Edwin told us that it would only take us one day...again, he's african, so that means a totally different thing! Snoya kept teasing him about it! He also wouldn't use hand sanitizer without washing his hands first. That was pretty funny as well.

Yesterday, was sunday, so we went to church. Grandma is the new children's pastor...for a while. They want her too teach. She says she loves it due to the fact that the kids actually pay attention. She said she would still be teaching if American kids were the same...   She brought soo much material. It's actually really cool because Snoya was telling us about how the church was praying that we would bring children's material and my grandma came with a whole bag full! God answers prayers! Amazing that she got to help in that!

As i said before, the team comes in tomorrow and we'll probably be getting ready to go into the villages. I'll have to send an update on that whenever i get back from their. We're planning on sending two teams: one medical team and a seminar team. Grandma and I are on the medical team. Wendy will be the medical leader, while i'll be the seminar leader on that team. Tim's going on the Seminar team, which should be fun for him. Pray that he has some fun with that. He's been preparing to preach for almost six months now and sometimes those teams can be very structured...too structured at times. Pray that God would give us all the right words to pray and that people would respond to the Jesus Film and the preaching that comes with it. God will move, but we must be prepared to assist Him...of course, he doesn't need any of us, be we want to be able to help him as best as possible!

Oh! I got a phone number while i'm here! I don't know how to dial out from the US to Malawi but I can give you the country code : +265.

The phone number is:
099-284-0383

try it one of two ways: +2650992840383 or 0112650992840383
one of those ways should work. I get calls for free, but if one of you wants to call, you can do so with an international calling card. i have no idea how much that will cost though. Erica: please give that phone number to my mom. She doesn't have an email, so you know...

thanks again guys for all you prayers. i'll try to keep you updated as much as possible. love you guys!

--
Elias R. Garman
eliasgarman@gmail.com

May I suggest using SKYPE for international calls - you can sign up for overseas calling for a nominal fee and I do mean nominal.  You do need a microphone for your computer and a decent sound but those are not too expensive. 

Al:  I understand about the Soc. Security and am very worried that that will be one of the first things cut or stopped for a few months just in one of these strong arm political moves. 

Etta Sue:  Love your new car.  I don't know anything about them but it is sure cute - how will it be in the snow?   Front wheel drive?  Love the color. 

Janet:  Most interesting news from Africa.  Thanks for sharing. 

Chicken and sweet potato for dinner tonight.  This is the first meal I have made in at least three days.  Way behind on everything but so thankful to be on the end.  Listening to a book about settlers in Massachusetts & they barely survived.   

Boy I could sure survive very, very well on chicken & sweet potatoes!  Can you send some by cyber post?

I thought I would stop in and see how everyone is doing these days.  As for us, we are about to melt out here on the Plains.  It was 106º today. Thank goodness for the air conditioner!  And today Amarillo had their all-time high record of 109º, the highest temp since records have been kept for 130 years.  We get our TV news from Amarillo and Albuquerque.  I have a feeling that Janet also had a hot day too. 

Etta Sue, you got yourself a fine looking red car!  It is a beauty, and I know you will enjoy it.  Do you have your first trip planned yet?

Al, I agree with you, chicken and sweet potatoes sound mighty good.  Almost a Thanksgiving dinner.  Let me know if that cyber post works and I will try my luck at getting a nice dinner that way too!

Earl is still on Home Health care.  In some ways he is doing well, but not so much in other ways.  He had his 6 month kidney checkup on the 10th, and his kidney function has dropped significantly since his last checkup.  He is at 23% now, and that is getting too close for comfort, as it may lead to dialysis before too much longer.  All this was caused by the illnesses he has had this year, and the additional meds.  He has chronic kidney disease stage 3.  This was caused by the diabetes.  We are thankful he is doing as well as he is, it could be a lot worse.  The Lord is our strength and we trust Him to see us through the difficult times.. 

We received the sweetest letter from our son's "step-daughter in law" today, from Texas.  Her husband is/was our son's step-son.  She is expecting a baby boy and her due date is tomorrow.  She told us that she wants to name him after our son.
I sent her a little outfit that our son wore as a tiny baby, which I had saved after all these 50 years.  It brought tears to my eyes when I found that little light blue outfit in the dresser drawer. 

Hello to all who visit here tomorrow.  I am bad about forgetting what you all have posted, but I do enjoy reading. 

Like Janet, my page is jumping like crazy so I will sign off for now.
G'night
~Janice

Hey, I was reading SOOOO much earlier, and then life got really hectic, so here I am, preparing to bed down for the night.

Those messages from Africa are great, Janet!

Etta Sue, I liked seeing you and the new car, too.

I've had Skype for quite a while. In fact, someone called me tonight on Skype. It's grand.

G'nite, friends,

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  We had some more rain last evening but it didn't stay around too long and again did no damage in our area.  I think, other than going to coffee, I am going to have to take the day off from going anywhere as seem to be exhausted again.  I had a good night's sleep but got up feeling tired, which I really dislike but it is what it is..

Etta Sue, you can probably blue tooth your music or audio book thru your car speakers.  That makes me wonder if my car came with bluetooth, I will have to check but don't think it did.  Etta Sue, you may have hit the reason my ship never came in either.  I hadn't thought about not sending one out. 

Janet, another very interesting posting from Elias.  How long are they staying over there?

Carol, I really don't think they will do anything to Social Security that involves anyone already on it or about to be eligible.  Everything I hear discussed involves changes for those not yet eligible. 

Janice, you have us beat on temperature although we had had a day or more in the high nineties.  Touching story about the tiny garment.  If you are typing on a laptop that has a touchpad, that is likely the problem.  Most have a way to turn that off when not needed and if not, an old credit card or piece of cardboard will cover that area with a couple little pieces of tape and you should be in business.  This is a very common problem. 

Hope everyone has a great day. 

Larry, I took your suggestion and taped one of those fake credit cards over the touchpad, and it really helped; however, the jumping screen seems to occur after I have typed four or more paragraphs.  Strange.  Sorry you are feeling tired today.  Just take it easy, okay?

I was up and out early to get our Prairie Pak.  This is a really nice thing, saving nearly half on the groceries we get once a month from Prairie Land Foods.  For $23 we got chicken breasts, sausage, ham, ground beef, cheese, apples, oranges, leaf lettuce, celery, bananas, carrots and green onions!    Quite a few people purchase a Pak to give to those in need.  I stayed to help hand out the food.  The people push an empty box along the tables while we stand behind the full boxes and put the items into their box.

Janice, so good to hear from you again!  I pray Earl's condition doesn't deteriorate any further.  Nice that you found the tiny outfit, and it will mean a lot to the new Mother.  Yes, it has been really hot here, too.  Yesterday was about 102 and still, which as you know, is unusual.  The temps are predicted to be well over 100 all this coming week!  

I'm glad you are enjoying the Malawi updates.  Eli is my sister's grandson, and his dad was killed in a truck accident when Eli was only four years old.  His mom is a Mexican, and speaks quite poor English.  We are proud of Eli for staying in church, even though he had to go alone, and following the Lord.  He has a passion for missions.

Oh!  To answer Larry's question--they will be in Africa for six weeks!  Then they are going to Rome for three days or so, sort of to unwind from the frenetic pace.  This will really stretch Shirley, who is a real homebody.  Usually about three days away from home is her limit!  She told me someone asked her husband Delbert at church, "What are you going to do while Shirley is gone?"  And he said, "Anything I want to!"  

Darrel and I went to Dodge City last night to attend a play.  This was my (late) birthday celebration.  The play was The Octette Bridge Club and was quite enjoyable.  It was about 8 sisters who got together twice a month over the years to play bridge, swap gossip, etc.  Had some drama, some comedy, really good acting.  Fun.

Beth and John are enjoying their time together so much.  He will be worn out from loading and unloading her in the van so much.  Tuesday we have to take her to Liberal for a swallowing test.  He has two more weeks here.  Oops!  They just arrived for a little visit; guess I'd better get off her and talk to them!