"It's here in this bag?"

I called the church to see if they have decided one way or the other to offer my Bible Study (Well, Precepts Bible Study) to the church. I felt like I needed to know for planning purposes, so I called. I spoke with the Assistant Pastor, and he sounded like the situation is that nobody in administration there has thought about it one way or the other since I brought up the idea a couple of months ago, and they didn't have an answer for me one way or the other. It sounded like the materials that I gave them were still sitting there in the bag. ("You mean that information (about the dates, etc) is here in the bag?")

The problem is, is that my "plan" may be getting a little crimped, because I don't know if they are in or out. Also, I am going to be leaving for yet another vacation (believe it or not) and I was planning on starting the study June 26 when I got back from the trip. I wanted to get all the "sign-ups" by June 15 so I could order the books and be ready to go when I get back and have our first class the 26th.

I was also going to send flyers around the neighborhood, but I didn't know how many houses to distribute the flyers to, since I didn't know if the study was going to be opened up to the church, and I didn't want to send around as many flyers if the church was going to get flyers out to people in their bulletin also.

I have also been thinking about how cool it would be to somehow offer the Bible Study "on-line," but I am not sure if I should do that or how I would do that.

I am waiting on the Lord to work out these details.

I ordered some materials from Precept.org. Within a week some flyers that they create will be sent to me. I think I will distribute those after they arrive. That will leave about one week for people to sign up. Oh well. The promotional material that is being sent to me also includes ad info for newspapers and radio spots. Should I even consider that?

I have space for 24 participants in my home. I would be happy with as few as two or three people. 24 would likely be kind of a blow-away experience, but ... whatever. I was looking for a core of people that God would chose to participate that would stay and hang around for a long time, not that everyone would, but a certain core group. People that will help to create what God is going to do in the updcoming weeks, months, years and beyond.

So, what do you think? Would you ask God to do what He wants and make His will evident to the church at CCLC, and to the people who recieve the flyer? Would anyone really actually be interested in an on-line Study if people got their own audio or video of the Precepts lectures, did their own homework and for one hour per week have a group discussion online or by conference call? I think a person to person study is best, but some people may not have that option - like people in rural America. Should I send out the promo spots to newspaper or radio (I kind of think not, but what does the Lord want?)

An Email I got

I got this email and I followed the instructions - well, almost. Instead of emailing the thing to a bunch of people, I've splashed it across the internet to be seen potentially by millions (well, maybe five)people. Here it is:


1. What time did you get up this morning? 6:00 AM
2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Over the Hedge
4. Favorite TV show? American Idol, of course
5. What did you have for breakfast? LA Weightloss bar
6. Middle name? Rose
7. Your favorite cuisine? Chocolate and steak of any ethnicity/nationality or culture
8. What foods do you dislike? liver
9. Your favorite Potato chip? Doritos nacho
10. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Kay Arthur lecture/teaching
11. What kind of car do you drive? Not sure of the year (2004?)White Yukon with cool tires
12. Favorite sandwich? Roast beef, I suppose
13. What characteristics do you despise? I love everybody (cough). Characteristics in me or others? In me? That I worry and overplan. In others? Laziness and apathy
14. Favorite item(s) of clothing? I have a cool sparkly belt; gold jewelry
15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where
would you go? In my fantasy world, 30 days on an Amtrak Rail Pass with private bedroom accommodations, either alone or with someone quiet who had no needs or complaints, all around the country with books and a lap top and the food would have no additional calories after my metabolic needs were met. And all of the people would be nice. And there would be no weirdos or creepy people.
16. What color is your bathroom? 1st: blue, 2nd: brown, 3rd: camouflage style, 4th: red with brown ceiling
17. Favorite brand of clothing? no particular brand, but I like to shop Nordstrom from time to time when I am able to splurge, maybe Levi's for jeans
18. Where would you want to retire? my house that I am at, maybe a mountain get-away retreat from time to time
19. Favorite time of day? morning
20. Where were you born? Minneapolis, Minnesota
21. Favorite sport to watch? American Idol, Women's gymnastics, Children's spelling bee, Basketball in the last game of the finals
22. Who do you least expect to send this back? NA
23. Person you expect to send it back first? NA
24. What laundry scent do you use? Whatever
25. Coke or Pepsi? Water or when I can't resist, Diet Coke (which is about every 3 days)
26. Are you a morning person or night owl? both
27. What size shoe do you wear? 10 (11 when I was fat)
28. Do you have pets? yes
29. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with everyone? I'm not going to be pregnant again during this life time and I have trouble growing old.
30. What did you want to be when you were a little kid? "psychoanalyst"
31. Favorite Candy Bar? Sees
32. What is your best childhood memory? skiing
33. What are the different jobs you have had in your life? Waitress, car repair shop office helper, Overnight receptionist for an urgent care center, research technician, research helper, waitress, KFC worker, intern in psychiatry, intern in pediatrics, intern for internal medicine, psychiatry resident, psychiatrist in various capacities, radio talk show host (for one hour), nursery room helper, writer for Focus on the Family (not in order)
34. What color underwear are you wearing? beige
35. Nicknames: Drea
37. Eye color? blue
38. Ever been to Africa? no
39. Ever been toilet papering or rolling? no
40. Love someone so much it made you cry? Yes
41. Been in a car accident? yes
42. Croutons or bacon bits? no, thank you
43. Favorite day of the week? not sure
44. Favorite restaurant? Ruth Chris Steak House
45. Favorite flower? Red Rose
46. Favorite ice cream? Chocolate types from Baskin Robbins
47. Disney or Warner Brothers? At times neither
48. Favorite fast food restaurant? McDonalds
49. What color is your bedroom carpet? blue
50. How many times did you fail your driver's test? 0
51. Before this one, from whom did you get your last email? Kimm
52. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Nordstrom, if I had the courage
53. What do you do most often when you are bored? I haven't really been bored since 1986 and I still have dreadful memories of the experience
54. Bedtime? 9:30 or so, if I am able
55. Who are you most curious about their responses to this questionnaire? NA
56. Last person you went to dinner with? My husband, the four children, Mary Jo, Bobby and Jonathan
58. What are you listening to right now? My clicks and my daughter's clicks on the next computer over
59. What is your favorite color? Purple
60. Lake, Ocean or river? Lake
62. Which came first the chicken or the egg? God did create the chicken, He is real, after all
63. How many people are you sending this to? The person who sent it to me and millions upon millions of people in cyberspace
64. Who sent this to you and what is something you didn't know about
them? I was glad that she thought enough of me to send it to me, I learned that she likes blue and red
65. Time you finished this email? 8:35 PM

So there you have it. Feel free to consider yourself tagged!

California, here we come!

Well, we're about an hour away from home. The train is getting there about 3 1/2 hours late. Well, I gotta go & put on make-up and tweeze my eyebrows for the first time in weeks! Because the train was late I missed my "hair dye" appointment - oh well! My daughter wants hers dyed! She's been asking for weeks. I'm trying to have her get it done in the realm of naturally occurring colors!

Seattle

Having just crossed over the boarder, my daughter & I are on a bus to Seattle. Once there, we should have time for a little breakfast before we board our train for back home to California. Tomorrow I will get my hair done shortly after my arrival, and then about 9 AM the mother who gave birth to me & two of her sons will be over for the holiday weekend. Should be interesting. (I was adopted as an infant and about seven years ago I found my biological mother. I haven't seen her in about five years-my choice, thought it was too confusing for the kids & she started having "expectations" of me & I didn't want to deal with that. Also, I had enough "relationship issues" with my own mother, who needed more "issues" to deal with? Anyway, I missed the brothers, but really couldn't see them if I didn't see her. I guess I do want to see her... I feel myself pulling away. So much so that I keep this whole content in a paratheses! Keep me/us in your prayers!!!! I feel anxious. Maybe a little sick. Perhaps I need a vacation? No, I'm....)...looking forward to being home soon!

Vancouver, Canada

Here we are in Vancouver, Canada!!! Sunday PM we slept in Miles City, Montana. I stayed up late waiting for clothes to dry. In North Dakota we boarded the Amtrak and I finally had a chance to sit awhile. I have three cases from work that I need/want to get done before I get home, and I had a chance to get two of them done that day on the train. The fun part of the train was the little sleeper car that my daughter and I shared, the "all-included food" (oh my!!!), and the game of Monopoly (I lost). I did see two antelope, but didn't see a bear. We boarded the train about 9 AM Tuesday, in North Dakota and arrived in Seattle, WA about 10 AM the next day. We then took a bus up to Vancouver, Canada. The boarder patrol man looked pretty grim and serious as he quizzed us about our travels, but had a smile for us after we answered all of his questions.

Canada has been interesting. They spell some words in a silly way, there are "wash rooms" instead of bathrooms, and you put "fuel" in your car instead of gas. Tomorrow we have to get up super-duper-killer early to get back on our bus to then get on our train to then get back to California. Once back in California, my birth mother and two half brothers are coming to spend three days and two nights at our home. Will the house be ready? Oh well, who cares? Whatever needs to be done when I get home, or whatever, we'll just deal with it.

Regarding my daughter and I, we are getting along well. So much I could say. I'll just summerize by saying, she is very much her own person and independent, but when we sit across from each other over the restaurant tables, I see the face with those big blue eyes and softened freckles, the naturally thin eyebrows and gentle anxiety and subtle unpredictable impulsivity and I melt as she sits there singing the song to herself, "I don't want to be angry anymore."

You know, the other day - we were walking in Yellowstone, and I made a comment something about some people being unpredictable and it is hard to know what it is they want and she said, "Yeah - that's what I don't like about God -- and parents." Wow. I saw into her thinking in that flash. I recalled about how, for years, has been trying to grapple with the fact that she can not control God and that He is not going to bow down and serve her.

My daughter had been a fervant Christian for many years as a youth, and then fell away from God. She has not completely fallen away, and He has continued to be with her, but it is like He is waiting there saying, "Have you figured out yet that I am not going to change for you? You are going to have to change for me, or you won't be able to approach me or know me unless you realize there is only one way to approach me, and that is humbly."

Sounds like me. God saved me several months after I was married, and He kept me in a difficult marriage for many, many years, not to change anyone else so much as to change ME (imagine!!!). After ten years of being mad at God for not "fixing" my husband I just got sick and tired of my attitude and said to God one day, "I am so sorry for having a bad attitide. I don't want to have a bad attitude anymore."

Similarly, God is continuing to work in my daughter's life, in my husband's life and in the lives of our three other children as well as in my life, because that is the way God is -hopelessly devoted to us. (Remember that song, "Hopelessly Devoted to You?" (from the Greese movie?)

Gee. When did I post last? I think when we were, in...Idaho - that's right! Since then we went to Yellowstone --- oh my! BEAuTY! Someday before I die I'll have to go back there! No TV in the 1913-styled cabin opened the door to a great night of Monopoly. I didn't want to win, but I did and it was still fun for my daughter. Next day -Montana. We caught the movie "Over the Hedge." Today we finish the driving part of our trip and arrived back in North Dakota. Currently, we are watching the movie, "Just my Luck." Tomorrow it is Amtrak to Seattle to Vancouver, Canada!

I'm writing this, u guessed it -on my cell phone. Hope it "sends" okay. I was feeling a bit disjointed before I posted this, but now I feel better. Overall, and in every other way, God has been GOOD to me. The truth is, part of me is broken inside & only God sustains me. I have 2 keep plugged in 2 Him & then I'm okay!!!! He is my salvation & my strength FOREVER.

Thank you Jesus!

Have we been busy! There haven't been any "business centers" at the places that we have been staying lately, so I haven't had a chance to log in. However, even if there were locations and computers to check in, there hasn't been time. We've been busy. After a long day of travel, I feel like kicking back in the hotel room, but my daughter feels like painting the town! I'm trying to keep up with her. I'll give a run-down.

After Scott's Bluff in Nebraska, we went to Colorado Rocky Mountains and went horseback riding. Our horse guides had just moved from Southeast Kentucky and my daughter and the two young men who were our guides were familiar with each other's high schools and had competed through sports at each other's schools. While horseback riding we saw a herd of Elk and a new coyote mom near her den. The mountains were SO beautiful.

We couldn't take the road that we wanted to go to Utah because it was still closed for the winter, so we had to go several hours out of our way, but my daughter was a really good sport about it. She has been about everything. We both try hard to get along and have been getting along well. The whole trip has been God-blessed. I wish sometimes God would tell us, "Andrea, go on this trip. Here's the schedule. You'll like it. Take your daughter." Instead, for years I have a yearning to go on this trip - well, several trips, to see all 50 states with my oldest daughter. Everything works out, and so it all seems blessed of the Lord, but how come I don't get a huge GREEN LIGHT GO sign, and have to worry and try to figure out, "Is this the right thing?" Well anyway...

In Utah we went white water rafting in the Colorado River. This morning we woke up in Utah and we were supposed to go ballooning, but (thank goodness) the trip was cancelled for the weather not being very good. I was scared to do that! My daughter is SO high energy, high endorphen type of personality, I figure I need to help her use all of the spunk in a positive way, and not end up in negative type of experiences. So, I was going to have her go in a balloon ride with me, but I didn't really want to go, but she did.

Next we stopped by the family history center in Salt Lake City and were greeted by a lot of very friendly and smiling faces who helped us with our geneology questions. We got outta there before they got on to the Mormon stuff.

Biologically speaking, I know that my mother's side is German, Austrian, Scottish, French and American Indian. I have a pretty thorough family tree of that side. On my father's side, while I had some names, I never knew what countries that side was from, because the grandfather on that side never shared the information, "We're American." So, I was able to locate the countries of origin from that side and those countries are: Germany, Belgium, Germany and Prussia (which is an area of Europe that became known as Northern Germany, for the most part, I think). Also, there is someone who has done a lot of geneology work already on the one side of the family, because we are connected in the family line (I found out today, by way of computer), so I will be able to get good information pretty easily. I don't want to do all the family history research at this time in my life, but in about ten years I hope to, and to get it all organized for my family. My family history is incedibly involved and complicated and interesting!

Next, we arrived in Idaho (where we are now) and went to a museum.

Dear Father, Thank You for everything that You have done on this trip. Help me to pray aloud to You still more. Thank You for the evidence of the Holy Spirit in my daughter's life, and to see how her backbone is You. Light the fire for her desire to be You, more and more. You are the only One that satisfies. Continue to be with my family back home and my blogging friends. In Jesus' name, AMEN!

Mount Rushmore and Scott's Bluff

Yesterday my daughter and I were at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. There was no internet assess at the hotel so I didn't get a chance to blog in then.

Driving through North Dakota into South Dakota was really cool, especially since we didn't get a flat tire, run out of gas, hit a wild animal (little fleeting fears that trapse in and out of this worrying mother's head while driving through the MIDDLE OF ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE). I counted 52 deer, about 30 road-kill and about 100 cars along the 5 hour route. I passed one car who was going to slow. It was crazy seeing families of deer just hanging out. Some were running around. The sky was beautiful, the road ahead went on for endless mile after wonderful mile.

South Dakota was nice. (What kind of bland and meaningless sentence is that?) While at Mount Rushmore, we saw a little movie about it, went on a couple miles of trails, went window shopping in near-by stores, laughed at funny things that we both thought were silly (how cool is that?) and took a picure while standing on a wall. We went on a tour through "Big Thunder Mine," and were a little more open with each other than we had dared to be in the past. She asked, "What's it like getting old?" (A serious question with a touch of semi-rude humor/implication, but I just let it go or laugh. You gotta laugh or let it go. I told her what her brother said when he saw me, "Mom, you're looking old." Who cares? BTW, my son gave me the best hug, which I blogged about a few days ago, so I didn't care what he said.) My daughter also asked, "How much did you weigh when you were fat?" (which had been an off-limits question) and "How much do you weigh now?" and "How much do you think I weigh?" We laughed together at the salad she made because she put apple sauce on the lettuce and she made it for me, and then wanted me to eat it, and she was sort-of picking on me because she asked why I didn't eat more and I hesitated and said it had apple sauce on the lettuce and she started laughing like she was going to spit up her food and the whole thing was funny. It was also funny when we were reading really funny cards together at a gas station and funny books at a store.

I marveled at how God has been taking care of everything. He has taken care of my daughter. He has helped me become a better and more flexible mother. You know, it is hard to transition from being entirely in control over and running a child's life to letting that person be her own person. That separation is hard. Harder for some more than others. Was hard for me. Is hard.

My daughter says things to try and provoke me, to test me, and I don't respond like I used to. I used to not be able to handle that at all and used to get really angry and try to control her from saying or doing the thing that was bothersome and that should not be done. Yesterday, my daughter commented something about my eyes, how they get large when I am really listening, or am startled or "when you're really angry." She said, "I like to get you angry and see that when you do that." I haven't gotten angry with my daughter, turning into that person, in about, well, I would say about a year and a half. I was able to share with my daughter during another portion of the day, that when you get old you have to continue to grow and change, or else you will just get bitter. I feel like God has enabled me to develop a part of my personality that can let some things go. It is not productive to go nuts at any time, even if someone pulls your strings and pushes your buttons.

A few weeks ago I was cleaning out a room and I found a notebook binder of my daughter's from a summer program. In it she wrote down that she didn't trust her mother, and that she didn't know how to get over that, and how she wished that she would get along better with her mother, and maybe that she would not get so stubburn with her mother. I kept thinking as I read it, "Hugh? Not trust me? What did I do to make you not trust me?" I don't know what I did that caused her not to trust me. I can hardly believe that is how she feels. But, I used to go nutty when she did things unbecomingly. I used to control her life, and then she sort-of grew up and I had trouble transitioning to the next step, so did she. I don't know what I did or said that could turn me into an "untrustable person," but I respect that she feels/felt that way, and I will just let it be.

My daughter acts very mature sometimes. She is really smart and is a strong leader. However, sometimes, she is still a young girl. Like when she watches cartoons, or giggles with her friends.

God is great. God has had this whole thing under His control the whole time. This whole relatinship, her whole future, His relationship with her, His love for her.

"Father, forgive me for doubting You. Lord, enable my daughter to feel that she trusts me. Help me to secure her trust. Thank You for letting me be a role model for my brilliant daughter, that You created just the way that You intended. Thank You for making her strong and a leader. Help her to understand how she is to be a woman in the context of how You created her and in light of what You will be doing in her life, where You will be taking her. Give her godly wisdom. Hand select each friend and protect each one. Strengthen her relationship with You. Show her that You are there for her, and cause her to run to You faster. Help her to desire and yearn for righteousness. Help her to go from a child's faith into a woman's faith. Help her to see how You and having a relationship with You is the most relevant and important thing in her life. Guide her plans for this summer and next year. Help her not to grow weary in well-doing, such as doing the successful job that she is doing at her school. Show her clearly where you want her to go to school in the fall and help her to desire and accept Your good and pleasing and perfect will. Help my relationship with You to be authentic and transparent. Help me to pray more boldly, like I used to do when she was young. Thank You for the times that Your truth comes out of my mouth, and increase that still more. God bless the family back home. Amen."

I was asked today, "Do you bird?" I didn't know what she meant, but I knew enough to know that that probably meant that I don't, uhh, "bird"

The day is nearing the end. Almost time to "hit the hay," as it is going to be a longer and bigger day tomorrow.

Today, my daughter and I awoke at about 7 AM (after getting to bed after midnight last night into Minot, ND). This AM was a shower-pack-and-go. Along the way we cracked open the new tape series from "The Great Courses," from "The Teaching Company." Great - love it. The course we are listening to is called, "The Joy of Science" and the college course covers all the highlights of science over the past 500 years, through the great discoveries, etc. Along the way the listener gets taught all the basics that are taught from K - 12th grade. Just a perfect review before my daughter takes her SATs when we get back to CA in early June.

We drove to a bird wildlife refuge called Audobon, I think. There are over 230 different species of birds there. The sounds were amazing. Any blind person would find a few hours there like a sighted person would take in the Grand Canyon. Bird calls after bird calls. My daughter took a drawing class and being the beautiful artist that she is, drew a bird that I will frame and put on my wall when we get home. I know just where to put it.

While at the Audobon Wildlife Refuge, we went on a little one mile nature walk. We saw running animals that my daughter said were deer, but I'm not sure, lots of big birds fly out of the praire grasses, road runner type birds, little birds, colorful birds and holes for digging animals of various sizes. It was truely amazing.

I don't think that there is one non-white person living in North Dakota. The people here are left-over, or should I say descendants from the Scandinavian people who migrated here in the late 1800's, along with some Germans and other Northern Europeans. No one else, I think, has made it to the area since.

That background is interesting to me, since that is my background, biologically speaking. I was adopted from Minnesota, my birth parents being from small towns in Minnesota. My parents who raised me are immigrants from Italy - my mother having been born there and my father's father was born there. Both parents' families are from the same remote mountainous village, deep in the heart of Italy. I never "acted" like them, and that has been hard for me. So, when I go to Minnesota - perhaps especially North Dakota, because of the overwhelming majority of people are of the same ethnic background of myself, I feel a drawing. A drawing which I feel ashamed of at some level, because my mind and culture tell me that I ought not to regard my biological heritage with such a great weight - but my inclinations shout in my heart and ears anyway.

God bless you! God is blessing us. Thank you Father. Your goodness and generousity amazes me. I am not worthy, but I accept your gifts with nothing to give you in return, except a "thanks" and a prayer and a cooresponding yeilding to make me like You. Continue to grant us safety and sweet fellowship. Also, bless the ones back home with such a fun that they are almost glad that we are not there, so they don't feel jealous or left-out, but even feel that we are the one's who are left-out from their special time. Be with my husband as he has more to get done this week. Grant him peace and a willing heart. Bless church tomorrow, big time and may there be no obsticles to getting there are hearing YOUR WORD!!!

Off to a good start on this vacation!

Presently, I am sitting in the Cincinnati airport (which is actually located in Kentucky). My 15, soon to be 16 year-old daughter is reading her new book, sitting one leg curled up, next to me. Tonight we are going to North Dakota.

When I arrived at my two oldest children's boarding school, I ran into my son at the stairwell of his dorm. Surprised, he looked up and I was there. His brain registered for a second that it was me and he exclaimed, "Mom!" and he threw his arms around me and gave me the greatest hug in the world.

The last and other time that I got that type of hug was about nine months ago when he got kind of caught in a bad situation and hugged me with his arms hanging around my neck, crying and I comforted him. Sons! Sons and mothers. What a wonderful, beautiful combination. How easy it would be to mother him forever, and while I always will be his mother, a mother walks his son to about the onset of manhood, and then while mothers continue to guide, really it is men who bring boys, in terms of role modeling, most effectively into godly manhood. May God grant him strong and effective godly role models.

May the Lord bless my being an effective role model to my supremely great daughter who is still reading by my side (#1 in her class). May He establish her firmly upon the mount of His grace and provision, security, godliness and wisdom.

Super shuttle should be here in about 20 minutes

Getting the final things and out the door. I am flying to Kentucky today.

Hi. Now I am in the Chicago airport on lay-over. Mailed the first postcard back home.

Catch ya later.

The Traveler's Journey - Packing

I'm packing for the BIG journey.

When I spoke with my mom the other day, she wasn't even frecked out about my BIG journey. A few years ago I took a similar journey - in a van with 4 kids and 2 dogs from CA to VA and back. When we came back, we took a boat and picked up another dog (in Alabama). I am going to try to post as many spots along the way as I can. Anyway, during that trip she was way frecked out and kept discouraging me to go. No mention of the kind this time. Since that first journey I have made about two other road trips as well.

So much that I want to say. I hope that you all who comment in will forgive me if I don't get back to you and "return your calls." It's just that, for me, first of all this is a journal, that I enjoy and love having you peer into, but if I only write in it when I can answer the calls, then I won't be keeping tabs the way I want to for this part of my journey. Hope you don't mind and you still come back. With love and care, Andrea

Getting Ready

Well, I have been hesitant to blog in because I felt like I didn't have the time to visit you all back right now, but I thought I would post anyway. I miss you all.

This weekend I worked like a total dog. I told my husband that I was an animal in the way that I worked this weekend. I saw 40 patients at the hospital on both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday I was there until 1:35 in the morning and last night I was there until 8:30 or so. The only other thing that I did this weekend was go to church with my family.

I liked it though. I am weird.

My husband and the two children spent Saturday at the church gym where my husband helps head up a basketball league. Half-times are filled with Bible based messages. It is really a nice and healthy atmosphere. They were there like from before 9 AM until after 4 PM. Yesterday they all went to the local "Western Festival" where they met up with other locals from their karate classes. Then they went to the "club" and went swimming. So they had good quality time and I worked like a dog, but I like working, because of the way that I was raised (another story) and my husband likes playing (because of the way he was raised!) and he likes being a dad and he is a really good dad too. So, we'll all be thankful.

Now I am getting the last of the things together to take off on, I think, like 13 states and 2 continents in about 16 days. My oldest daughter and I will be together. I am praying for Safety and Sweet Fellowship. I am hoping to post in along the way, and keep a blog journal of the events, and sent a post card back from each state that I go through.

For now, I will give you all a reply under the comments section of my last entry. God's sweet blessings to you. Love, Andrea, thankfully, resting in Him