Three "Despedidas"

In the last week, we have had 3 going-away parties! Our friends are so sweet, but these things are hard on the ole heart! The first one was given by our church family at Faith in Raymore. There was a lot of weeping as we had become very attached to all those sweet people and our teen group! We miss the opportunity to be involved in their lives... Next, there was a 3-church party on Saturday in Caracas. These were the three churches that God allowed us a part in starting, so there are many dear among them. There were testimonies, more tears... Sunday evening was one of the worst emotionally as it was at the baby church we left in La Victoria when we left Venezuela 8 months ago. They are thriving and it was awesome to see the love that God has given them as a church family. God continue to bless them... Anyway, 3 despedidas in one week is NOT cool, but we are reminded of Christ's words that if anyone leaves family, homes, lands, that they would be given family, homes, lands hundredfold (my version...couldn't find it just yet in the Bible). We have been given FAMILY everywhere~we are SO BLESSED!

Story of Faith...part 3

Well, we are here...in my beloved Caracas! We arrived on June 3 late at night. The LORD allowed us to arrive here with 20 pieces of checked luggage as well as 2 (rather large) carry-ons per person in our family~and some of our family members are rather small :} ! It is much easier to travel now that some of our children are young adults. They are so much help~and a LOT OF FUN too! While I am here in Caracas, I hope to meet a blog friend, Liz. I'll take the camara along and get a picture of us hopefully! Have a wonderful day...as usual, the weather here in Caracas is PERFECT!

To Pack...or Not to Pack

We are at a lovely phase of moving: the Uruguay pile, the Venezuela pile, the giveaway pile, the throwaway pile, the carry-on pile, make sure you take things out of your purse that you don't want taken away... It's sure an encouraging time~NOT! Next comes an even more encouraging phase: "Beth, are you sure you want to take this...we are going to have pay millions in overweight...yadayadayada...you get my drift... It's an awesome time for family unity....um, maybe not! Have a great evening! We're headed to a Royals baseball game, hoping they'll break their LONG losing streak...

Sonnet to Wint'ry Supplications

Awak'ning my soul one ice-bitten night,
(The wint'ry ghosts whipping with icy shards,)
Sleep eludes and taunts my groping sight~
And at the frosty doom I shrink~Coward!~
I rise to see the tempest thunder,
Terror is writ in my trembling ears~
But by the stair I hear a whisper,
A voice of satin, smoothed with prayer's tears,
To Christ in heav'n the weeping saint doth plead
For (O love undying,) for me; Her gist
Doth ask for peace, the King my life to lead,
And toil of her stricken years be kissed.
That dream (Tho' no dream it was) ne'er mine ears
Will forget~that spectral saint's love-show'red tears.

Dedicated to Beth Sanders by her firstborn son on Mothers' Day, 2008 *Do not copy*

Unalterable Typo

Evidently, you are not supposed to use the word "adult" on the web. I could not, however hard I tried, get 3 s to become 3 "adult"s. Sorry!

Worlds of Fun

This past weekend, we had a visit from college friends and their family. On Monday, we went to Worlds of Fun, a local amusement park. Boy, did Shell and I have fun~woo hoo, did we laugh! Of course, at our *ripe old age*, we didn't ride the scary coasters, but I'm fairly sure that noone laughed as hard as we did ALL.DAY.LONG! At one point, we crammed our *not-college-bodies* (all 4 of us s) into one log car for the log ride. It was hilarious! I'm sure that the next time I go to that ride it will say "LIMIT 3 S PER CAR". HEEHEE! Our children had a great time together also. Most of them were born within months of each other~that is, 3 of their children were born in the same year that ours were. As Seth put it, "We go together with them like peanut butter and jelly." Quite accurate.

Copyright Question

My son, the poet, dedicated a poem to me for Mother's Day. I would love to share it, but how do I keep some unscrupulous person from stealing it?