so, that's the problem.....

Well, yesterday was a gorgeous day at Catalina Island. Bob and I went snorkeling off the boat. It was wonderful, except my mask kept fogging and I swallowed too much salt water. But Bob was ever so patient as he held my hand and pulled me around (even the gentle flipping of the fins aggravates my ankles) But after 45 minutes we were ready to grab two lounge chairs in the shade of a palm tree and relax. After a while we decided to walk out from the beach with our masks on and see what could be discovered right off shore. There was the smallest out cropping of a reef--2 feet high and maybe 8 feet long. It's amazing what was *hidden* there in plain site!

striped fish, bright blue fish, tiny silver fish, etc.

We're not talking one or two, but dozens! We even followed a flounder as it skimmed along the ocean floor. What was nice for me is I could stand in the water when I needed to. I much prefer being able to touch bottom.

After a delicious lunch, we rested and read and talked and rested and read and talked until we went back in the water again.

By the way home I was exhausted and just physically drained again. We came home, took showers before returning to SCORE to eat dinner with the group. Unfortunately, before we left the apartment I was rinsing out our suits, towels, etc from the salt water, when the hose came detached from the washing machine. Would have been better had we discovered it 5 minutes sooner than we did, but I now have a very clean laundry room floor and today I washed all the towels and the two rugs (crocheted with fabric strips) that got soaked.

Got up this morning after 11 hours sleep and felt like I could go right back to sleep. Then the body aches started. We think I picked up a bug, so that would account for much of the exhausted feeling, as that is the way it has hit me before. Body aches pretty much confirm a *bug*. Bob left to go over to the clinic and I went into the bathroom. That's when it hit me! DUH! I forgot that here I canNOT brush my teeth with water right from the tap. Ten months out of the country wiped that intelligent fact from my brain. So for 4 days I've been using Dominican tap water to brush! Praise the LORD for antibiotics.

As I was leaving the ministry center, Joe (landlord) was videoing a nice big tarantula on the otherside of the property wall. Then when I went to open the gate to pull the car out, we noticed a baby tarantula right next to the gate. I HATE tarantulas! YUCK! This is the first that we've seen any near the apartment. I want them to go away. Mama tarantulas only have one baby at a time, right??????

I need rest.....

Well I've been here since Monday afternoon and I am exhausted. I have been away from our apartment for 10 months. Part of that was our furlough and almost 4 months in Costa Rica. But 5 months was in Virginia. Anyway, our apartment was closed up from mid-July thru the end of December. Bob did try doing some cleaning when he returned the end of December but has had to concentrate on the clinic and medteams.
With the heat and amount of dirt that just is always everywhere, the apartment isn't just dirty it actually feels dirty. Monday Bob went to put clean sheets on the bed before I got home. Unfortunately, the replacement sheets were musty when he pulled them out. So he laundered that load before going to the airport. Every piece of clothing has to be washed. They just have either a musty or old smell about them. This includes all sheets, towels, etc. Every surface is coated in grittty grime. Much of our stuff was packed into plastic bins. With being gone that long, we pack things up to protect incase of a leaking roof. So, everything has to be put back in place, so we have a home and don't feel like we are living in a storage unit.
I spent Monday evening cleaning our room. I'm still working on the rest of the apartment. All dishes have to be washed before using too. Only hot water is in the bathroom tub in the showerhead, if I remember to turn on the hot water heater and wait 45 minutes.
I'm physically adjusting to the heat (fortunately, the humidity isn't too bad).
But I think I'm recovering from emotional stress also. My time in Lynchburg was to help Shan with her separation. As a mom it is hard to watch your child suffer and hurt. It's not any easier when that *child* is an adult. I so wanted to protect and shield her. I wanted to be strong for her and take some pressure off from her. I know she's hurting and has a tough time ahead. As much as I wanted to be back here with Bob, leaving her and the grandkids was very difficult.
So, please pray for me as I feel drained. Bob has had a surgical team and a medical team all week, so I've only been able to see him in the evening (with 30 other people around for most of the time) Tomorrow the groups are going to Catalina Island and Bob and I *have* to go to lead the groups. I am so looking forward to the time with my husband and just relaxing. I LOVE the groups...don't get me wrong, but I'm really hoping that tomorrow they can entertain themselves on the boat and the beach and won't need my husband's attention the majority of the time.
Please pray for strength for me---emotional, physical and spiritual. I'm tired!
love to all and enjoy your snow!

Yes, I'mmmmm baaacccckkkk!

It's been a long two months. My attentions and energies were not in posting to my own blog. Sorry but the LORD had other requirements of me.
But today I have time to blog. For some reason when I try to post on ~d, charity's or lyndie's blog it won't let me. Not sure what I'm doing wrong, but it's asking for my google account. Anyone know wny? It's frustrating to finally get time to respond and have everything rejected.
~d: your blog is about a movie. I haven't seen it or even heard of it. But I have had the "joy" of watching Disney's Little Mermaid more times than I ever care to again in one week. Actually if I never see the movie again, I would be quite content.
I disliked the movie when it came out while Shan was in high school. Time has not made the heart grow any fonder either.
*16 year old girl longs for things she cannot have
*Father gives her stern warning against going to the surface
*She deliberately disobeys. gets herself involved with a demonic creature (the character actually calls herself a demon/witch)
*Girl makes a pact with this demonic creature.
*"rescued" before she loses her voice permanently
*receives her Father's blessing and gets what she wants in the end. (The rewards of disobedience?)

Is there something in this movie that I am missing? Some *redeeming* quality? Of all the kids movies I have seen over the years, this one has bothered me the most. Am I missing something?