H.J. Gulledge -"Jimmy" to my mom and their friends. Daddy to me. This week, five years ago was his last week on this earth. He was in a coma, so we couldn't speak. The last thing I spoke to him about was in the emergency room as he was having tests. The next day, he was gone - his mind was gone.
Yeah and I still really miss him. He was a grumpy old man and I loved him so much. He was a good daddy, one who would sit on the front porch with me when I was a moody teenager and ask "what's wrong," or "how are things going?" He would drive all the way home on a work day to take me out to lunch. Somehow, over the years, despite all my mistakes, he conveyed to me that I was the apple of his eye. He loved Scott like his own and was so good and encouraging to my sons.
Yet it was my dad's death that propelled us forward into missions. I could have never left him or my mom while he was still struggling with Alzheimer's. I just hope he is looking down and is proud of us. I got really lucky when they were handing out moms and dads. It took me a while to truly appreciate them, but they are golden.
Monday, 15 September 2008
Friday, 5 September 2008
Absolutely Soaking
I am resolved to walk as much as possible - for exercise and to save fuel. so I have been walking Peter to school, even in the rain. Yesterday I had a nice gentle rain that stopped by the time I got to his school and on the way home it stopped altogether and the sun came out. Lovely.
Today I started out from home in a fairly determined drizzle, but about half way there it started coming down harder. At Peter's school, just as he came out, it began to rain hard and hail. We only have one umbrella, since I cannot find our other two, but we both had on rain jackets with hoods. I really enjoyed walking in the rain, surrounded by joyful children, happy to be out of school, and happy to be running in the rain. This being England, I was certainly not the only one walking my kids home. We were splashed by cars going by on the big road and just soaked by the time we got to our house. It is about a 20 minute walk at a medium pace, but I can make it in 15 minutes if I need to. It sure did help the cup of tea taste really good when we got inside and changed.
So Tracy and Laura, get as much rain stuff as you can. You will use it. I am hoping to get a pair of waterproof pants soon. And get lots of boots - all kinds of comfortable boots. You will wear them from September to June.
Today I started out from home in a fairly determined drizzle, but about half way there it started coming down harder. At Peter's school, just as he came out, it began to rain hard and hail. We only have one umbrella, since I cannot find our other two, but we both had on rain jackets with hoods. I really enjoyed walking in the rain, surrounded by joyful children, happy to be out of school, and happy to be running in the rain. This being England, I was certainly not the only one walking my kids home. We were splashed by cars going by on the big road and just soaked by the time we got to our house. It is about a 20 minute walk at a medium pace, but I can make it in 15 minutes if I need to. It sure did help the cup of tea taste really good when we got inside and changed.
So Tracy and Laura, get as much rain stuff as you can. You will use it. I am hoping to get a pair of waterproof pants soon. And get lots of boots - all kinds of comfortable boots. You will wear them from September to June.
Thursday, 4 September 2008
Groovy hair, after all....
Oh yeah, my hair was perfect for Spain!!! Just wash and go. I took my dryer and never used it. I swam every day with the boys. Loved it. It is growing. But, horrors, my friend - Lisa - who cuts it is going to India to work with the orphans for four months. I will have plenty of time to let it grow!
Blessings
We got back from our annual WEC/Betel conference in Spain this past Saturday. It was our second year to go, so this time we knew most of the people and knew what to expect. We stay at Betania, a Betel owned conference center that is mostly like a camp. We sleep in rooms crammed with bunk beds. The boys all sleep together in a big room that has 23 bunk beds. It is like a big sleep over for the week. We hardly see them as they play with their friends from Italy, Czech Republic and Spain. There is no a/c, and even though it is hot during the afternoon, it cools down around 10:00 p.m. My favorite part is hearing each center report on how they have done the previous year. We hear story after story of God's provision as our centers grow and expand. India has spun off into a center in Mongolia which is doing well. India also has two houses for orphans now. Germany started a new center in Berlin and was given a house to open a women's house. Cool stuff.
We have been blessed this week with a new car. A Toyota van - seats 8 - just in time to pick up Josh as he is arriving from Seoul to spend the next six months with us. So now we have room all six of us, plus two. We can give Brian ( our Scottish guy who lives with us and cannot drive) rides without breaking the law. Yea! The van was donated to be used in Betel. God is so kind to us.
We have been blessed this week with a new car. A Toyota van - seats 8 - just in time to pick up Josh as he is arriving from Seoul to spend the next six months with us. So now we have room all six of us, plus two. We can give Brian ( our Scottish guy who lives with us and cannot drive) rides without breaking the law. Yea! The van was donated to be used in Betel. God is so kind to us.
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