Mon.-Went to Farmville and met Judy in Charlie's parking lot. She was a bit late so I was walking on the trail. She pulled in beside my car and I was a few hundred feet away and hit the panic button. Scared her to pieces. She thought she had hit my car. She was beginning to measure my waist right in the parking lot when an ambulance quietly going by put on their siren. Scared us both. By the time she got to measure my blood pressure, it was too high. I think it was because of all the excitement. After a lunch of taco salad and two desserts, my blood pressure was just right. It was so nice to celebrate her birthday this way and catch up on our news with each other. What a dear friend she is. We've decided, when we die, that we want banana splits served at our funeral meal. We both know this is what the other one wants and we will make sure it happens. I ran some more errands and came back home. Sent my health insurance paperwork in. Went to bed early. Head/sinus stuff going on. Susan has a verbal agreement with Tractor Supply to sell 10 of her rabbits for $10 each. They like that they are so tame. We'll take them in on Wed.
Tues-Decided to teach school even though I feel lousy. Quite a few of the teachers and students have the same thing, so perhaps it has something to do with the change of seasons. Really enjoyed this day at school. Fine tuning the songs for the program in a few weeks. Angela, our health consultant called in the late afternoon. I have officially graduated from the program and our insurance will be cheaper now. She said I look like a million bucks. She was asked by her boss if she has anyone to recommend for a video interview for their program and she recommended us. She said that she never enjoyed working with any family as much as she has enjoyed ours. She said she has seen how much we love each other. I have worried that I won't keep up with what I've learned; that I will just go hog wild and eat everything I see. But the idea of having someone come and video tape us certainly helps. Is it normal to feel unworthy of her affirmations? Do I need to confess that I ate a lot of dessert yesterday and that our family doesn't always love each other the way we should? Is a way of life a way of life because that's who we are most of the time?
Wed.-Saddened by some news today but deepened a friendship in the processing of working through my sadness. Stayed home from church in the eve. Michael and Susan took rabbits to Tractor Supply and she is enjoying having that $100 bill. Then they went to youth group.
Thurs.-Mike and Susan went on a Field trip today to Staunton to see 'The Twelth Night'-a Shakespeare play. They loved it. Michael rode with Rindy, Braxton, and Sam K. She treated them to Chinese food afterwards. Susan enjoyed her ride with the Hublers. The guys are working around here, turning the milking parlor into a rec room. I went to Farmville with Jeanne. We stopped in to see Lindsay and they began to talk 'writing.' Lindsay said, "You have the coolest friends, and I'm one of them." You bet you are my dear. We were standing on her porch and saw someone delivering a meal to the man across the road. I said that that looks like Lisa H. It was. She and Paul do this twice a week. Three writer friends standing within 30 feet of each other. Four if you count me, although I am a different kind of writer than they are. Jeanne and I went to the accountants, the P.O., Walmart, Goodwill, the eye glass place, and Riverside. We were talking about prejudices people have with those who have a different church affiliation than themselves. (Jeanne is a Catholic and attends St. Teresa's in town. ) I told her that I don't have those barriers. She said that she has never met a Mennonite who was judgmental or prejudiced. She said that they always believe the best about people and are generous and accepting. It was interesting to hear that this was her perception and again, I was thankful, not only for my upbringing, but also for the culture of my upbringing. Some times, we take things for granted, when our parents and culture have paved the way to make things easier for us. My parents had missionaries in our home and we were exposed to other cultures through their stories. My mother invited 'fresh-air children' from NY city to spend several weeks with us every summer. Race made no difference.
My father's parents lived next door to Catholics and we would swim in their pool. Mrs. Sedario told my mother about the retreats that were held in their Catholic church. This got my mother to thinking and she began to plan retreats for the Mennonite women in our district. She formed a committee and served faithfully on that committee for 25 years. I benefited from that godly group of women that met periodically around our dining room table, eating hard Wege pretzels and drinking Russian Tea, praying and planning for events. I enjoyed the women speakers that came to the retreats and the things they shared were life changing. My parents weren't religiously Mennonite. My mother was the first women elder at their church. She was also the first woman to serve on the Mennonite High School Board. We got a TV before it was 'legalized' in our church. We didn't do things by the book. Once my father got mad at something the preacher said, and he got up and walked out of church. We all followed him like ducks in a row. (Six more of us.) He kicked the edge of the bench on the way out and I am not sure it was an accident. The preacher had bad mouthed my uncle from the pulpit and I am glad my dad walked out. Life sure could be exciting. How did I get off on all of this? Anyway, I am thankful for my roots and culture and I enjoy the roots and culture of others. I like diversity.
Fri.-Phil's been home working on the books and I've had little time to blog. Today we got ahold of G.Boy--- and confirmed the date and time for him to speak at CCA's graduation. Also, Janelle gave us a 'Yes' today. Michael was so excited. He said, "Praise the Lord. God is so good." He will like having his little cousin Micah around. Dan P. spent the afternoon and eve. with Philip and spent the night here. His parents are coming to visit him soon. Philip and Dan went ice skating at Liberty with the Harvest group. Philip had ice skated once in his life and he took to it like a pro, skating backwards, etc. falling once when someone pushed against him. Michael worked at Krogers. He was pushing carts in and a man came to the door around the same time and Michael motioned for him to go first. The man glanced at his tag and said, "You have class, Michael." He enjoys meeting people and he gives himself fully to his work. He shall stand with kings.
Sat.-Washed, cleaned house, cooked and prepared Chicken curry with rice for tomorrow's lunch. Phil took a long walk down to the low grounds and came back with a pocket full of imperfect arrowheads. Then he said, "I found two perfect arrowheads and the only way I could keep them safe was to keep them in my mouth." He proceeded to gently take them out of his mouth and reverently placed them into my reluctant hand. They were wet and warm. And perfect. Susan dipped eggs and cleaned her room and helped with the cows. I had a wonderful long talk with Mother. She seems so good. Her computer isn't working and that's why she wasn't responding to my e-mails. I worried in vain. Freeman called and was back in the states at Newark, NJ. Flight is delayed 2 1/2 hours. They'll get into DC late. Mark B. plans to drive them all back to the Bantons and then travel to Va. Beach where he has to preach tomorrow. Lindsay thinks they'll get in around 2 or 3. The morning starts an hour earlier tomorrow.
Sun.-Awake in good time. I've been waking too early anyway and maybe I'll get back into a more reasonable schedule with the time change. Good service in church. We stayed at home during the SS hour and heard from Freeman about his trip to Ireland. He got home around 2 this morning. He brought teas and chocolates and a beautiful promise necklace for Susan. Got to hold little Worth today during worship and when he was just about to fall asleep, I took him back to his dad, so if he woke up during the service, there wouldn't be the possibility of a disturbance. He is just so very precious. He kept looking at Susan. I think he loves her. Got to pray for a family at the altar today who have lost everything in a fire this past week. This family is unusually precious and all afternoon, I've been missing those three dear little boys. They are the kind that lean in when you hug them. They are not suspicious of those who want to love them. Ate Judy's lemon cookies on the way home. Oh my. I've had more sugar this past week than I've had for a year. I've got to stop this!!!! Help!!! Ate our wonderful African rice and chicken curry for lunch and saw Freeman's pictures from Ireland on the TV screen. Now I have another place I want to go to before I die. So many places to see. A high school friend who I've reconnected with on face book is in Haiti for a month, restructuring the educational system and helping with the rebuilding of schools. He is posting pictures on face book of the destruction and the people. Through the viewing of photos, I went from Ireland to Haiti within an hour.
Phil is reading 'Josephus.' Alli and Freeman are watching a movie. Kelli and Susan have gone for a hike and now they are in their 'man cave.' (camper) They also hiked to the river. Michael, Chace, and Jordan are here. I made a giant chocolate chip cookie for Chace's birthday. They had hot chocolate and cookies for Hertzler Sunday Supper. It's fun to hear them talk. Michael said Pastor Frank told him that he's looking pretty slick. "I'm going to have to call you 'Slick.'" Philip went to Harvest Chapel today with his Christi. We don't have to go out tonight. I love being home on a Sunday. I love having a day of rest.
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