Friends...

It was Mother's Day...after attending church with my mom, my brother and some friends I drove the hour and a half to visit one of my closest friends, Linda, and her family. Here we are gathered around the table eating a delicious lunch.

Left to right starting with the handsome young boy front and center is; Evan, his dad Brett, Brett's parents Gary and Ginny, a family friend, Linda's mom Thelma and daughter Tess.
Here I am with Tess - she is 14 and a delight...

...and with Linda...

...with Tess and Evan...

I had a wonderful visit - too short! - and I think the highlight (besides the hike and awesome conversation with Linda) was helping to motivate Evan to complete his book report project - he kept repeating, in awe, "how did you get me to do that?"...blessed to be a blessing!

On the day before Mother's Day my mom and I met two of my close friends with their mothers in Claremont at a delightful cafe. In the back are Kim and Wendy. In the front are Alex (my mom), Irene (Kim's mom) and Jo (okay she's not really Wendy's mom but she 'borrowed' her and loves her as though she is her mom!) Jo is actually Kim's aunt and Irene's sister.

...and here is a shot with me in it...Kim and Wendy are two of my dearest friends - we became close while on a 3 year spiritual journey in a mentoring group...

I continue to enjoy my time here in the US - visiting friends, spending time with family and re-connecting with my church family.

Easter Sunday...fun family time...

My brother (Precious Jim) just bought a home at the beach...so we decided to gather there for Easter Sunday...

this first shot is from the upstairs looking down at the balcony...that is my son-in-law Joel who was in charge of the barbecue...
...two adorable kids - Kayla and Tristan (8 and 6) - neice and nephew of Jim's girl friend, Susan. These kids are as nice, friendly and fun as they are cute!

...view from the dining room...thru the family room to the deck...and beyond... ...view from the breakfast nook...clockwise from the left are Kathryn, Garry (Kathryn's son), my Uncle Jim, my brother Paul (Kathryn's husband, Garry's dad), sitting on the floor and almost hidden is my daughter Amanda, then you can see the back of my mom's head, the back of my nephew Elliot's head and you can see my red-stockinged feet.

...ahh, youth! these are my nephews Elliot - 17 (Garry's brother, Paul & Kathryn's son) and Taylor - 16 (Precious Jim's son)

...Precious Jim took this shot of me - I just love the sweet smile on Kayla's face as she realized she would be in the picture!

...this is Amanda with her listening face, her husband Joel and Kayla and Tristan.

I love this shot cuz it captured all of us in a 'smiling' moment, cuz my mom's Minnie Mouse slippers show and cuz Susan is in this shot (see her at the end of the couch almost hidden?)

This was the first of, I hope, many fun family times...you have seen two other fun family times in previous entries...okay - so I am NOT doing these entries in chronological order...oh well!

Sharing...

I have had the privilege over the past few weeks to be immersed in love and warmth as I share with my church family what God is doing through me in Kenya...

The Early Bird Bible Study ladies are eagerly looking over the beadwork I brought with me. The ladies at Missions of Hope labored many hours and the ladies at EBBS are reaping the benefits!
All the money donated for these necklaces will be donated right back to the ladies to help them replenish their supplies...

After a time of sharing and Q&A I had time to speak one-on-one with several people...Back home...to the Sunday School fellowship I have had the pleasure to attend for the past several years (now called RCA Bible Fellowhip)...my pastor has moved on and even the new pastor has moved on...so - this group will merge with another class called New Horizons...

there I am taking a much needed drink of water while the ladies of the RCA class examine the beadwork...Pastor James was gracious enough to lead the class time and encouraged all to buy buy buy! He is the pastor of New Horizons and has been working hard to help our people feel welcomed into his class...

Here is Pastor James leading prayer...

Janice proudly displaying her new buy - this is a shawl made of beads...here worn with her Elder Stole!

Pastor James and his wife Yvonne becoming more acquainted with their new 'people'...

Friend Marcie showing interested 'buyers' the leso I have been using to display the necklaces. Yep, someone bought it! Marcie and my mom have been invaluable in helping me with the merchandise so that I can spend more time with my friends!

So far I have one more class I will teach - on the 24th of May. It has been wonderful to share what God is doing and I look forward to sharing again.

And - it has been wonderful having time to spend with family, friends and my church family.

On Mother's Day I will drive about 1 1/2 hours to visit with a close friend and her family for a few days and the following weekend I am excited to be spending a few days with my daughter, Amanda and her wonderful husband Joel!

Family fun...

We gathered together last week for various reasons; cuz I am in town!, cuz Joe was turning 50 - oh my!, cuz we love each other, and cuz Amanda's Law Review paper is being pubished!

Why oh why is he smiling? It could be because he just does not look 50! (Or act it either for that matter!)
Amanda and Joel think they look pretty cool with these masks that Ashley brought back from her recent trip to Greece (Ashley is Joe's daughter, who is in High School)

Holly (Ashley's mom, Amanda's aunt) putting pressure on those stress points in Amanda's shoulders...hmm...part of the price of the Law Review?!?!?

Sorry I didn't get any pix of Ashley, my mom or me...but just know that we had such a good time and filled the house with laughter...

Zen Sushi...

the family gathered...last night...at our favorite place...eating our favorite food...sushi!

this first photo is of my nephew Elliot - a delightful 17 year old boy...I know...an oxymoron! - and my mom...they looove each other...
here I am (on the right) with my brother Jim (aka Precious Jim or Jimmy) and his girlfriend Suzi...

...then I hopped to the other side of the table to embrace our younger brother, Paul (Elliot's dad)

...and a fun time was had by all...