This Is Why I'm Not!

Blogging, that is. My excuse is the usual "I've been busy", but I really mean it. Since the week after Christmas I have traveled to Nashvegas, Chattavegas & back for a restful yet fun-filled week of break-dancing, bridge-walking, and Dutch-Blitz playing.
Words are inadequate to describe how good it was to see my sister. (sigh) I will just say this... I love her, miss her and am better when I am around her.
I also had some neat time with Jin, Brian & Susan, Stace & the lovely rest. Brian & Susan had Julie & I over for New Year's Eve. Can I just say something? We are officially old. We played Cinco, Scattegories and then went to bed. I love being around other youngish-tired-older peeps.
We went twice to this all night cafe in Nashville where interesting people gather. We were drawn partly by the "breaking" group that performed there. ("Breaking", for anyone who has blocked out any or all of the 80's, is similar to "break-dancing". Just don't call it that. I was told it is not cool.) Whatever you want to call it - it is fun to see live.
Some other highlights of my trip included a chance to follow Jina at Siloam, the non profit clinic where she works as a nurse practitioner. I loved seeing her in that environment, using her gifts, flourishing and loving the people God brings. I especially loved hearing her speak Spanish and watching how she cares for her patients thoroughly and gently.
I enjoyed meeting more of Jina's and Julie's friends, and hanging out with Stacy's roomies. I think it is the best vacation to go where your friends are. I will be ready to go again in about a month. (I wish)

One week after my return I had the joy of going to Hume Lake two weekends in a row with my highschool then my jr. high youth-groups. Whew! I'm getting tired just typing that. I said "joy" and I mean joy. But in spite of my love for those kids I did have some anxiety about each weekend. The first weekend I was worried about how our group would mix together, about driving in the snow, about eating camp food, about falling on the ice and breaking the few uninjured bones I have left. Thankfully the people I asked to pray for me did, and as the first weekend came and went I didn't even remember what I had been nervous about. That easyness was short lived. I turned around to head back up the mountain only to find myself pre-occupied with mixing, driving, eating, falling & breaking. I love that I don't have to get things perfectly for God to swoop in a save. I can now proudly say I have driven through a snow storm that was almost a "white out", survived two weekends with only one fall on the ice, ate great food, enjoyed the kids & got to see my sweet friends Em & Lu Martian, (aka Marschner). All in all I am grateful to be home, enjoying the rain, and hoping to catch up on some sleep.