Hi All –
It’s been some time since I Ludke-ville’d you, so when I had a miracle happen today I wanted to at least get started on one so I could TELL YOU. See the picture up there?
This week Longaberger® had a ONE DAY sale on a new basket called the Bread Carrier Basket. I still have Vonda’s Vine which is my on-line presence, a newsletter (2x daily) for Longaberger folk. I was working on a Vonda’s Vine supplement to share with my subscribers (and customers). As I fussed around with it I tried to find a logo I KNEW I had, but was having trouble finding it.
I saw one picture that seemed to be out of place. It had a goofy name, so out of curiosity I opened it in my document I was creating (Bread Carrier Basket, remember?) – and there was this picture of bread and the Bible verse. I didn’t look ANY further for the other graphic. I figured God wanted that picture inserted in that document I was sharing with several hundred people who would in turn share it with hundreds (thousands?) more of their customers.
I just KNOW Jesus is coming soon. And people NEED to know that Jesus loves them. I guess He was telling me to let people know. What do you think?
The past two Sabbath’s we’ve had “out of door” services. The first weekend was our church sponsored LOUD THUNDER MINI-CAMPMEETING. Done this as long as I can remember (even when I was little). It was a gorgeous day. We were lucky enough to have Gerri and Dale Eddy as our guests for the weekend. They are parents of Rhiannon’s good friends Kristen and Kim (they were in her wedding). They are kind enough to let our Ryan stay with them this semester while he is in school. We’re ever so grateful for their kindness.
We also had our guest speaker at our home that weekend. Elder Van Hurst (first name Van second name Hurst). If I had the musical talent that just his pinky finger had – I’d think I was a musical GENIOUS. He is SO talented. He can make the piano play those “old time hymns” in a way that has even the kids tapping their toes. He is good! And SO personable. When I found out we were having him at the last minute – of course I PANICKED – but it all worked out (as it ALWAYS does).
Last Sabbath we drove up to Thompson IL – where the Clinton SDA church was having a mini-er mini campmeeting. We didn’t take coats. It was CHILLY and WINDY and we didn’t take coats. How bright was that? FORTUNATELY our new BEST FRIENDS – had extra coats and parkas and were generous to loan them. Seriously we were so thankful for the covers. Even so we left before the afternoon meeting as my feet were turning to ice cubes quickly!!!
We went to Branson on the Road this past Sunday. The Lion’s Club sponsored them as a fund raiser. Randy won a ticket and so we, and Rhiannon and her baby Jaimee, all went. Jaimee was SO tired when we left for Central Middle School Auditorium. We questioned if she’d have a baby meltdown during the show or not. Naturally, I HOGGED her for the show. And she laid out on my arms, little legs draped casually – and watched the show.
She is a little country music lover I think! Especially when they’d play a Johnny Cash song – that little 6 month old foot started moving in time to the music. It was funny. The lady sitting on the other side of Rhiannon even noticed it. She did really, really good. The last part of the show – I took the Gr’ma option and handed her off to her mommy. They said “last song” and we thought WHEW!!! Then they did an encore song … yikes!! And then they did an encore to the encore … DOUBLE YIKES! Jaimee didn’t every TOTALLY melt down, but if they’d encored the encored encore – we WOULD have ‘had it’.
That little girl is GROWING like a real weed. We hadn’t seen her for about ONE week and when they came down on Sunday afternoon both Randy and I were SHOCKED at how LONG/tall she had gotten. I mean, she is still itty-bitty by human standards, but I told Rhiannon to stop feeding her STRING BEANS!!! (She just started eating real human food 2 weeks ago and is LOVING every bite!)
Randy and I celebrated (?) our 34th wedding anniversary this week. Yes, it was an eventful day … we started off by FINALLY remembering to say those magic words … “Happy Anniversary” to each other – by email and phone. We ordered a celebratory PAPA MURPHY’s ‘bake your own’ pizza for supper! Oh we are SO romantic, aren’t we!!
I ran up to see my cousin Robbie in between jobs this afternoon -- took her a few balloons. She broke her ankle very seriously earlier in the summer when a porch swing collapsed when she was using it. She had to have surgery and has been in a cast since! Sounds like she had had some unusual stuff going on with the ankle and leg – so she ended up in the hospital with blood clots.
When I got there she was getting a boot put on her ankle. They'd cut off her cast. There was a saw sitting there at the foot of her bed like a regular old machine shop SAW!!!! (had a vacuum thing attached to it too) -- they came in to take some blood and she was spooked about that. I kidded her that she'd lived through having a big old saw used on her - she shouldn't be worried over a needle!!
Aunt Lois was there - sounds like she's been there most of the time. She seemed sort of worried, as we all would be. Robbie has more than one clot probably ranging from her groin area to at least the ankle. When they did the ultra sound they only did to the top of the plaster cast -- that's where they saw multiple blood clots and why they assume that she probably has more below that. Now that cast is off - but they didn't sound like they were going to check it out.
She's on Coumadin and that other blood thinner that I can't remember -- it's a common one. Doing it by IV right now - will have to have pills for quite awhile after she gets out. She is hoping to go to the Ringling Brother’s Circus this weekend still. Keep her in your prayers!!
I signed up to be part of a SYMPATHY CARD card exchange. It’s turning out to be a BIG exchange and last I knew I had to make 26 cards. YIKES!! I hope people don’t all have them say SYMPATHY – I don’t want to have to use 26 of THOSE. I’m going to do one set (13) of mine with some other sentiment. It’s been fun to go down and play for a bit here and there.
Think of you all OFTEN. Rhiannon said something about it being fun to drive out east together sometime. We’ll be giving it some serious thought. Need to get up north sometime too. It was much easier when mom and dad were there and we had a place to crash! We did enjoy our flying trip to Red Wing earlier this summer though!
Love and God’s blessing to each of you!
V
PS Hello to our Ryan!! Love you!!
Isn’t my little dolly … just a DOLLY???? Well, it’s getting to be bedtime – guess I’ll go up and get ready. Just wanted to touch bases with you all.
