Epic trip South!

Hello everyone, I've got some new adventures to share!

A quick overview of the trip so far: I started in Illinois, on November 4th. My plan was to hustle on down here to South America and meet a friend from the job I used to have and we would climb a mountain.
I made good time through the states, Mexico, and Central America. I took a day off from the frantic pace of the trip to go paddling with Uncle Ken and Gladys there in Arkansas- very enjoyable.
I took a day off to meet some old acquaintances from university in Jaco, Costa Rica- it was good to meet up with them after a long time, and also cool that I made the point of getting over to Jaco, a place that was once trendy and now is left-over-trendy, but most of the high-rise construction is stalled midway to completion, and there are lots of "se vende" signs on property that was at one time hot but now is a burden to someone. Between Ken and Costa Rica, I had plenty of interesting stops but probably the best was in Antigua, Guatemala, where I stayed at the office of a non profit which is partly run by a fellow freeporter- I never actually met the fella, since it was a weekend and I was pushing through town pretty fast- but all the same, it was a great refuge for me and a place where I could take enough time to change oil, cook a real meal, wash clothes, and chill with some of the kids who were involved there with the organization Casa Sito.

(El Salvador Coast)

The time from illinois to panama was just 16 days, even with those detours; I think sixteen days for such a journey is quick.

Panama was interesting and good; in keeping with the spirit of the trip, I passed it pretty quickly but did take time to see the canal and wander about Panama city a little bit. I traveled to the north coast and started the search to find a way across into Columbia, not an easy task. It was there that I met a couple of guys trying to do the same thing, and together we were able to afford the 1500 usds needed to hire a boat to take us across.




Travel through Columbia, Ecuador, and now in Peru has been interesting and probably in line with my expectations, only more extreme and exaggerated than I could be prepared for. The natural beauty of the countryside has been incredible; mountains have been thrilling to ride through; the people and culture has been interesting and welcoming.

Columbia took several days since we had to wait on a boat to take us and the motorbikes across to the first town with roads connecting it to the rest of the country, Turbo. While traveling through Columbia my old battery finally gave out and it took us half a day to get another one and get it all fixed up and going again. The transition driving from northern Columbia which is jungle and guerillas, cows and cocoa, generally low lying hot country to the south where the road we took rises up into the high, steep mountains which are at the very northern part of the Andes was very clear and I was amazed and impressed by it.
Crossing into Ecuador and continuing along in the mountains was very enjoyable, high altitude, mountain people, in general fantastic. We made it to Quito, the capital, the same day that we crossed the border, and stayed there that night. Of course to get to Quito from the border with Columbia, the equator must be crossed. Unfortunately it was night time as we were passing that way and misty/rainy; I was in the lead and more concerned with staying on the road than looking for marker signs or watching the GPS so we passed it without stopping. At first I was a little irked about it but decided that I got my tropic of cancer pictures and what we were doing at the time was more important than stopping for pictures of an imaginary line. Ecuador changed also going north to south from mountains to endless banana fields. The last few days have seen us in Peru; we were stalled for three days in Trujillo where we went to meet up with a friend of one of the two I met in panama, and ended up staying waiting for the other to recover from a freak flu or bad water bug. We pushed on, but now are stuck in Lima again where the same boy has had the bug come back. With good luck, we will be able to get on the road again tomorrow.

The delays have also been as expected, however I was still hoping that it would be possible to make it to Aconcagua by this time, burning as fast as possible once I made shore in Columbia. I got word from my friend there though that he would be busy with work and unable to get a break (big surprise working for such a company), so the motivation to get down to Mendoza quickly has all but disappeared. And although I know I could move a lot faster on my own, traveling with two other people is more fun than being alone not to mention safer and probably more edifying.

Missing you all, especially here at the time of the Holidays- but I will have good people to pass the days with, and plenty of adventures to fill the time, so all is well.

Love Trale

the middle of October--by Ensign

We left our cat Elsie by herself while Connie went to St.Louis, and Linda and I to the other side of Lake Michigan for a week end Retreat. The fall leaves were gorgeous, and the sand dunes always impress us--such an unusual landscape. Of course
Elsie was glad to see us return.
I haven't had cats in my home but this Elsie is very affectionate. She befriends any stranger who comes to our house; she's always on my lap whenever I sit down. I'm going to write an essay about her thoughts. What is going on behind those eyes as she stares at us?
We saw Michael Moore's latest film, about Capitalism. He very bold to expose the unethical things == like selling mortgages to families who can't keep up with them.
Next you know they are foreclosed and lose their homes. Or buying life insurance on their employees, and making the company the beneficiary. Oh how devious human beings can be.
Time to go. Love to all. Ensign

What a full summer we've had, and now the day of the dead approaches, and the frost is on the pumpkins and the flowers are dying.



I went on a crop walk around Lake Cornelia today with Jon and Karl in the group, but I talked mostly with others. We rushed back from a game in Iowa City (against Michigan - it was very close) - we did stay the night in Andrea's home, but we left right after church without talking to sleeping Liz or doing any shopping in order to be in time for the walk.

Ahh the lake was like glass and it was a nice day to be out. Tonight I helped Karl memorize lines for the Musical he's in - I'll let him tell about that.

So, our summer started out with a bang of buying a house. Andrea and her friends from college needed a place to stay and a couple weekends were spent searching earlier in the year and it was decided that no apartments fit the bill and this house at 1505 West Benton in Iowa city would be the best solution. Connie and Trale have had a chance to visit. And since our Library has finished its construction we've been able to get some furniture from there for their use.

I got to go along with the Spanish trip to Costa Rica in June. It was action packed. Swimming at a state park beach was interesting. it was the summer solstice and the tide came up especially high- driving us off the beach. Add to that the hermit crabs, monkey, Raccoon and large lizard that were curious about us. I do NOT have fond memories of monkeys.

This one didn't jump and growl at me like the one in an Australian zoo did, tho. There were lots of Sloth there to gaze at, too. Zip line, and white water rafting were fun there. And Mt. Arenal has taken over the perfect cone award from Mt Mayon. .We stayed overnight at a resort that gave a view of it in the morning without any clouds.


In July, Jon and I and Karl went to the Lutheran National Youth Conference in New Orleans. It was called "Jesus, Justice, Jazz". There were 36,000 youth that were there. They divided us into 3 - the conference lasted 3 days - so 12,000 did service on each day. The other 2 days were divided between learning sessions and experiential - hands on interactive time.
I'm so glad to get first hand connection with the Katrina issue, because hearing the news is not the same as being there. We stayed in an old "French Market Inn" . Each hotel had a leader that helped us feel welcome and led us in worship in the mornings. In the evening the was a "final 15" devotion time of reading scripture, sharing and prayer that our own groups did. We were supposed to stop wherever we were at 10:45 p.m. and have these devotions. Some did that. it was a good witness to us, but we just made the effort to meet together in the boys' room even tho we were all tired.


In August, Jon had a meeting and invited me along to visit New York City. That was fun to stay by Central park (as Michael had suggested at the House of the Redeemer retreat center) we got bus passes and hopped on and off easily to get to see ground zero, ride the staten island fairy, see the art museum, and the sex museum. There is so much more we both want to do. We loved seeing the puppetry of the Lion King live on Broadway. we checked out Grand Central station and all the libraries i could find.


I enjoyed working at the farm with 2 graduates of Grinnell College - A german and anthropology major. And a third graduate of a Missouri College. We eat together, and they took turns cooking. One had gluten allergy and another had allergy to beans so we learned ways to meet both needs, and survive without wheat or beans.

Hello from Searcy,AR

Greetings from Searcy, Arkansas! Last night was my one night off so I have some extra time today to write. Today, Gladys and I went shopping for groceries and then I dropped her off at the beauty shop so her sister Mildred could cut her hair while I put the groceries away.

I enjoy driving a taxi; it's fun meeting lots of people and helping them out. Sometimes we play "Cash Cab." That's a trivia quiz game-of course, I don't offer people money like they do on the TV show. Some of the questions I ask are:
Who was the 42nd president of the U.S.? (Clinton)
Who was the lead singer for Led Zeppelin? (Robert Plant)
What is a 12 letter word that begins with "c" that means water vapor turning into water? (condensation)
What is the state nickname for Idaho (or any other state)? (Gem state)
People really seem to enjoy it. It adds some fun to a taxi ride. Sometimes I tell them if they get all the questions right they will get a free cab ride. One time I had to give a free ride! It was 4 guys and I think they pulled a fast one on me. I asked a couple questions I didn't think they would get and after about 45 seconds one of them said the right answer. I think he accessed the internet from his phone and googled the answers! They still tipped me $8 (the fare was $13) so that wasn't too bad.

I usually leave home about 8 or 9 pm and work 'til anywhere from 7 to 11 am. It takes almost an hour to get to Little Rock from here. I usually sleep 4.5-6 hrs. Sometimes I get sleepy at work and take a short cat nap when it's not busy. I have a couple guys that I play chess with at work when we get the chance. I have also gone to a chess club at St. Vincents Hospital a few times on Friday night.

Jimmy is in jail again. He has several charges against him and has a lawyer working for him. If anyone wants to write him his address is: Washington County Detention Center, James Branson B-E, 1155 W. Clydesdale Dr, Fayetteville, AR 72701. He also got married! To a young lady named Debra and they are expecting a child in December, a boy. It's too bad that just as he is ready to start a new life, he must answer to conduct in the past that will separate them.

I usually take a nap on Monday afternoon before going to work so I will close now.
Hoping to be in Chicago at Thanksgiving to visit with Dad and all! Love, Ken

My Turn - Continued

Here are the pictures of the Morsinks that Dad promised. I am sorry, I just am not understanding how to get the right pics on here. Maybe in a later blog. Signed, Linda

My Turn

I had a small part in that Kentucky trip---I delivered Linda to the take off place. and picked her up at the end of the week. Linda also gave a great report to our congregation, including pictures of the work.
While she was gone, I spent four days on Pat Leininger's farm pulling weeds and eating great meals. I also went to the Stephenson County Fair -- rode the ferris wheel and the tumble bug. Great fun.
Our event of the summer was the visit of my sister Marybeth and her husband Hubert.
The Morsink family had a reunion in the Blue Ridge Mts of Virginia (Jim, Paul and Marlies and families), before coming to Chicago. It was gracious of them to come for a four day stay with us. Hubert and I went to a Dollar store and bought socks which were marked Size 10 - 13. Ha ha ha, they were far too small for us. So much for Dollar stores.
I made a mistake by saying that there is a serious clash between the West and the Muslim world. MB disagreed by saying that it is not a religious matter, and that it isn't right to lump all these countries as Muslim. Well, I'm happy to be corrected by my very knowledgeable sister. Fortunately we talk via Skype each Wednesday and keep up to date that way. Here are some pictures of Morsinks.

Summer '09 in Chicago

From July 11 - 18 I went on a mission trip to KY!! About 90 men, women, and children caravaned south from here. Arriving there on a Saturday afternoon, it had taken 9 hours to get there. We were joined by 30 or so people who lived in Kentucky. They worked along side of us, and it was great. There were about 13 teams, some doing work on houses, not building them, but repairing roofs, bathrooms, porches and building ramps. Other teams were Kitchen crew, Vacation Bible School team, and Photography team, and of course the 2 chief captains of the whole trip. The team I worked on was painting the inside of a house that had had a flood from a nearby creek. We painted the walls, ceilings, and floor. We worked well together and had a good time. The kitchen crew always had a great meal for us at the end of the day, complete with dessert. One day we invited our host families to come to the Presbyterian Church where we had our headquarters, for a potluck put on by the church women. That was special for all of us. We had a worship service at the end of each day with a lot of singing and telling about how we saw God working in our doings throughout the day. Take care! Love to all, Linda

Andrea's Graduation 5-23-09

These are pictures I'm sure you will enjoy. What a good time we had!!

Andrea and friends.

We had a great time at the graduation! Here are some pictures for you to see our family and Andrea's friends who were there.

St Louis Checking in

Hey All,

Hope that the spring is treating everyone well. Miles and I are staying at the place in St Louis for the time being- but he will soon be off to a study abroad program in Europe, and I will probably be heading back to the north to split my time between Chicago and Freeport for the remainder of the summer. St Louis is a nice city, big enough to bring with it many of the utilities and venues for entertainment to satisfy everyone, yet small enough to get around pretty quickly. Our nbhd is kind of borderline, some nice places, some marginal places, but overall pretty comfortable. I am enjoying working on the house, with the goal of a complete and total rehab, which would enable taking in two roomates to live upstairs. 

I am in a slow part of the progression from my previously semi-conventional life to a fully developed icon, leading the shift of consciousness and the following shift of actions and lifestyle- away from the normally accepted standards and towards a better and brighter future. 

Very General. 

The coming weeks will hold weddings, Graduations, Old friends and new adventures. I look forward to catching up with everyone, and hope that we will have the chance for this at some point over the summer.

Love,

Trale

Greetings from Steve

Dear Amer, Michael, Phil, Gladys, Jimmy, Jon, and the rest:

I had planned to send something every 6 weeks, remember?  Now almost three months have gone by.  It was because I made a New Years' resolution to read a book some time this year and I decided it was more important on that account to read a book than it was to write a letter. Sounds like a bad excuse if you ever heard one, doesn't it?  Well, I finished Three Cups Of Tea three or four days ago.  Good book, about a guy named Greg Mortenson who built schools - especially including girls - in Pakistan and later in Afganistan.  You may have heard of it or read it already. Greg started out to build a school in order to show his appreciation to a village which had been hospitable to him when he was coming down off of a mountain climbing expedition. That adventure led him to be the director of the Central Asia Institute which enabled him to continue doing that work; mostly building schools, but also engaging in other community development activities.  I think about leaving the country from time to time and I if I did for any length of time, I would want it to be because I had some service to perform and some purpose in being there beyond just having a cheap place to live while I write books.  I'm not sure I would have the tenacity to get involved in something that was as all-consuming as Greg Mortenson's job.  I do admire his ability to work with people to accomplish something which everyone involved agrees is needed as well as his ability to stay on task.  Now I'm reading Shot In The Heart, written by Gary Gilmore's brother about their rather unhappy family.  It's a good book also, although Gary Gilmore is not exactly a life which I wish to emulate.

I'm enjoying my life in Atlanta, and I also think about making changes.  Elizabeth is still here and I have a new house mate named Gibson Pickett, who I like a lot.  I have two young ducks and two young chickens which I'm keeping under the deck, and in a few weeks I'm hoping to get a cat.  I look forward to seeing you at the family reunion.  From Chicago I am planning to fly down to San Miguel de Allende and stay for about a month.  I still haven't purchased tickets or told my boss at the hardware store that I'll be going, but I'll be needing to firm up plans soon.

Here's a poem, translated from the Spanish:

Your Lily eyes Said Yes

Your lily eyes said yes,
Your rosy lips said no.
When beside you dying I found myself,
Your lily eyes said yes.
Dawns burst within my breast,
Which soon were black night, oh:
Your lily eyes said yes,
Your rosy lips said no.

By Manuel Gonzalez Prada
Translated by Kate Flores 

Here is a picture of Ama AND Phoebe in front of the house that Ama is buying in Ghana.

CONNIE

Dear family,

It's already close to the end of March and I trust that our not posting blogs means we are all happily busy. I have been. I have felt guilty for being so comfortable in my life, but recently just decided to accept it with joy from the hand of our gracious God.

I enjoyed my visit to Ghana and to the Netherlands.

I spent three days with Marybeth and Hub on my way to Accra. We talked and ate and went to Amsterdam on the train to see Van Gogh (very exciting) and Anne Frank's house, good too. After church, we went to an Indonesian fair with all kinds of goods for sale. As always, we wished for more time together.

Accra was hot and humid, especially when I arrived wearing clothes for 40's temps. Ama and her kids have a nice home, with comfortable living room/D.R., tile bathroom and three bedrooms. All on one floor. Ama is really oppressed by the heat, and was glad for AC in one of the Bedrooms. It was fun to hang out in PJs with the girls, and look at the clothing and accessory possibilities for the upcoming events. In addition to Ama's three girls, PHoebe from London was there, friend of Gifty. We went to the seamstress Wed, day after I arrived.

The next day, Thurs, was the Engagement party; Ama was dismissive "the groom's family brings gifts and we accept them, and then we will eat..." Ama sd something about making cole slaw, I thought the party would be in the evening, and we'd have all day to get ready. Then I found out it would be at 9 a.m., some had been told to come at 8. Three huge canopies were erected Wed night, chairs were delivered, friends were enlisted to make ice. Early in the morning, men came and set up sound equipment.

The bride's family all sat under a canopy facing one direction. When the groom's family arrived, singing and bringing gifts, they sat across from us under another canopy. There were two professional spokeswomen (one for each family). They were formal and funny in presenting and accepting the gifts, there were jokes. Finally the bride, Afeafa, (who had been in the house, probably listening to everything) was brought out to be asked, "Should we accept these gifts from these people since accepting them would be accpting the marriage?"

After she said yes, we heard singing from the direction of the gate, and the groom was brought in, and they both sat together and were presented with rings and a Bible. Then we had a feast, the whole thing took all day. This was the traditional or tribal ceremony and everyone agreed that after all this, they were married. But on Saturday we all dressed up and went to church and they got married again. And had a feast on the grounds of a nearby country club. And on Sunday, their wedding was acknowledged and prayed over too. After which some came to the house and feasted again!

This is a picture of the bride and groom on the engagement day, with the landlady who lives on the same property and was VERY helpful for the engagement, came with her family to the wedding, and was an all around cool person.

So now here is the bridal party arriving at the reception with the junior bride and the little groom and the bridesmaids and groomsmen.

Everyone was friendly and pleasant. Many people were good at speaking or understanding English, but many were not.

I enjoyed all the busy-ness, sights that reminded me of the Philippines, all the activity that goes on in the open.

I am putting some pictures like that on here too.

Below is a picture from Ama's village. It is the highest inhabited village in the country.

Where We Go This Summer!!

Hi everyone! I, Linda, have been looking into a place to get together in summer 2009. There are several places in IL, but I've decided on going back to Lake Geneva, WI. I found out that Chapin cottage where we had stayed is taken for July 2--4, so have found another bigger cabin called Magill. It is white, and is right across the street from the administration building. Some of you might have rented sports equipment from the admin. building, but I know I did not notice what building was across the street. Anyway, I've asked for a contract to be sent and I'll forward the downpayment ahead so it can be reserved. for July 3, 4, and breakfast and lunch on the 5th we can stay for a total of $ 99.00. I tho't that was good. We will not have any meals on Fri., July 3rd. We Leiningers in Chicago thought we'd go out to eat in Williams Bay. Hope those 3 days are good for everyone. Once again we will celebrate Karl's birthday, and I'm open to suggestions for games or projects, Ken, would you bring any games you love? Gladys, there is access to the outdoors from each room on the 1st floor. The man I talked to by phone said each room has a bathroom, and tho' there is a "lip" to get into the rooms, they are handicap-accessible. I'm getting excited!! To let you all know, the Mowafi clan will not be with us, they are taking a family vacation in the summer of 2009. If they can come, Amer and all, we sure will make room for them. We sure will miss Laila and Abdullah, and Lisa and Amer, if you can't come.

If you want to, email me at ldenberry@yahoo.com and I'll count up who is coming, and if it will be for less than the July 3, 4, & 5th dates. Miles, do you think Janet can come? Hope so. Marli, let me know about the guest you might bring. I will need first and last names, so Conference Point has a record.

I'm still volunteering at the Prestytery office, liking it less and less. Even though I can listen to the radio while I work (usually really enjoying Chicago Public Radio) I find the job repetetive, and not challenging. My intellect deserves more than just scanning then writing the label on each document I scan. That is what I do for 6 hrs each day I go in, and I just go 2 days a week. Otherwise my life is going well.

Dad and I do things during the week and sometimes on weekends, Connie joins us. Last movie we all saw was "Milk" about a community official, last name Milk, who was gay. He was open about the gayness, and stood up for the gays in San Francisco. He was elected into office, and was doing well and well liked, and tragically someone who did not like him, shot him. It's a true story, and he is a martyr for the gays and transgender people all over the U.S. I thought the movie was full of action, and the lead actor, Sean Penn, was great.

Dad and I went to the Unitarian Church in Hyde Park this afternoon (saturday), and were part of the audience listening to a panel about Homelessness and the current economic downturn, what we can expect. I learned a lot, like a lot of homes that are being foreclosed are rentals. the homeowners are renting them out to 2 to 4 families, and then when the foreclosure happens, these families have no choice but to look for another place to live or maybe be homeless. There were 3 in the panel. One man, who led the whole discussion, like a moderator, put out a suggestion that he wanted the panelists to comment on: what if the banks that have foreclosed homes on their hands make sure the homes are livable, and sell them so they can be used for low income housing. This would take care of more than one problem at once. The panelists agreed this was a good idea, plus they had more comments, which I don't remember now. I'm glad I went.

We're looking for what the new governor, Patrick Quinn, will be like. 4 out of the past 8 governors of IL are either in prison or will be put in prison. This is not a good track record. Also IL is in debt in the amout of $ 4 billion---just terrible, and we need good, respectable people to be in government positions here. Staring in January 09, Illinois state officials cannot take campaign money to get people into positions or jobs they want, sometimes called "pay to play" policies. They can get donations from corporations or individuals as gifts, without attachments.

Remember to email me about the time you will arrive and how many people you are bringing. Looks like there won't be anyone under 16 at this gathering. I heard that the contract includes a "no bikinis" rule. Wear your tank suits, I guess.

Dad is preparing a sermon to be preached at a Filipino church tomorrow. Wish I could go along, but I have duties at the Morgan Park Presbyterian Church. Til next mail, I remain yours truly,
Linda

Books I really like

Hi Steve,

I have been reading a lot lately. I have a book club I go to once a month and a mother daughter one with Laila that's three months old now. But, I won't recommend any of the book club books of late (well Laila and I read To Kill a Mockingbird which I read so long ago that it seemed new and it was amazing).

I LOVE
A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving
Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins
One Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan
Any of the Roald Dahl books that are for adults

Also, I'm reading books by David Sedaris now borrowed from a friend and they are hilarious.

Hope you had a great weekend everyone!

Lisa, Amman

Hello, family!

I'm almost half way through January and I'm still enjoying the illusion that something is going to change this year.  I think one novel thing I could do would be to read a book.  I don't think I've read a book from cover to cover in years.  Books of poetry - yes.  Children's books in Spanish - of course. Linda gave me a book for Thanksgiving called Three Cups of Tea -- an excellent biographical true story. What are your favourite novels, biographies, or journalistic books?  I read one book about three years ago called Reefer Madness by Eric Schlosser, which explored three of my favourite topics:  Marijuana, Illegal immigration, and porn --  An excellent set of investigations and commentary.

I think I'm going to be doing more with poetry and song writing this year.  I also need to work as much as I can so I can go to Mexico this summer and also do the family thing.  Will we be going to Conference Point again, or shall we try some other spot?  I've been doing quite a bit of work for my friends Linda and Phoebe, but I need to look for other avenues as well. I work about 32 hours a week at the hardware store and I'm grateful for that.  

I'm looking for new housemates.  Will and Caitlin left pretty much on schedule and I told Elizabeth she could stay until February.  Here is a selection from Chinese Poems, a book I've read before and have been reviewing again:

On The Way To Hangchow:  Anchored On the River At Night

Little sleeping and much grieving -- the traveller
Rises at midnight and looks back towards home.
the sands are bright with moonlight that joins the shores;
The sail is white with dew that has covered the boat.
Nearing the sea, the river grows broader and broader.
Approaching autumn -- the nights longer and longer.
Thirty times we have slept amid mists and waves,
And still we have not reached Hangchow.

-- Po Chu I, a prolific writer who lived in the early 800s.

Hi All!

Hello everyone! We just came back from a trip to Thailand which was great. We spent three days in Bangkok where we hung out with my friend Pam, who used to live in Jordan, and her family. They've lived in Bangkok for three years and were good tour guides. These are pictures from a Wat or Temple with the huge resting Buda. The third picture got included and I can't get it to go away so you can see some Thai folks :) After Bangkok we went to a small island called Koh Chang. We drove there from B which took about 5 hours including a ferry ride over there. It's really close to Cambodia if you find it on the map. We had so much fun at the beach - warm water is great. We rode elephants in the forest and went to the treetop adventure place which had long zip lines up in the tall rubber trees. That was really cool. I'll post some pictures of the island when I get them on the computer.

Tomorrow is back to school for the kids and study time for Laila who will have exams the following week and a half. Ugh - such a stressfull time that makes me want to go home where school doesn't get hard until much later.

Happy New Year to you all and look forward to hearing what you are all up to this month. Good luck to Miles as school starts again. How cool is Andrea - Nepal sounds awesome!

Love,
Lisa, Amman

Hey, y'all

Hi friends, and happy new year!

It's 2009, can we remember to write it on our checks? People over 50 are allowed to forget more often because the years run faster for us.

A "new" "year" is of course totally made up, a construct that we consider "REAL" because so many people go along with it. Every day and even within a day, we have the chance to choose how and who we are going to be. We have the chance to reinvent ourselves, as they say. (I read a piece about that today. I will send it to you if you ask me.)

I am so fortunate to have you in my family, and I want you to know that I love and appreciate you, each one. One resolution for me is to write or speak with you more often.

From Christmas Eve day through January 4, I have not gone to work at the jail. I think the Correctional officers are really jealous. Of course some of them had to work on Christmas and all the holidays, just like nurses. I have been busy being a host and tour guide to our guests, one from Saudi Arabia and the other from South Korea. We have had good conversations and meals at homestyle restaurants from both countries. We went to Muslim prayers, funky Lutheran (with swingin' songs), not so traditional Christmas Eve at Morgan Park Pres, and 3 hours at Trinity UCC, Obama's former congregation. Great music. Decent sermon. Long examination, two or three questions to each (yes, in the service) of 12 deacons being ordained.

We have had all the weather you could have in Chicago except summer. Bitter cold, snow storm, sleet, cold and clear, 40-50 degrees, rain. When they came, the landscape was covered with snow, but now the grass is totally visible.

On Jan 12, I plan to go to a writing workshop. I need to write something for the teacher to critique. So I plan to reflect on my life in the past year. A non-blog blog, I would say.

We had a full house on Christmas and we watched fireworks down by the lakfront on a very chilly NEw Year's Eve. It was fun.

More eating scheduled for today. At a home with so much Christmas decor, it could be a museum of American Christmas decorations. The goodbye party for the International Students we have had in our homes for 2 weeks. :) :( Like any other good thing, sad for it to end, ready for life to be more routine and normal.

God's blessings continue for all of you. We are so blessed with health, intelligence, opportunity and basic needs of life. I ask that the Creator guide my steps, embolden me to be Connie untrammeled (!) and serve in the world with joy. I ask God for that for you too. ONly not to be CONNIE, rather to be ANdrea, Trale, Becky and Stephen, etc.

LOVE

CONNIE