In Africa, some children are named for things happening in their family.I had 2 girls named Misozi which means tears, so we changed their names to Joy!  It felt weird being able to change a name but it’s not that unusual there!  Here in America, you have to pay to change your name legally.

It’s also important to know what to be called as a grandmother!  Not really sure what I want to be called—although everyone keeps asking me!  Mindy’s aunt told me it’s important because that’s what I will be called from now on—hmmmm!  I guess I am going to have to figure it out since I’m going to be a grandmother very soon!!!

Mindy walked over to my house last night, and though sometimes uncomfortable, is doing really well at 36 weeks.  Although I am very anxious to meet my first grandbaby, I am very grateful that Mindy’s pregnancy is going so well.  I am very willing to be patient and wait for God to decide it’s time!  Big prayers go out to Gloria’s family as they begin their life with Leyton in less than ideal circumstances!  The good news is that we are both going to be very proud grandmas— I can’t wait to see her pictures but she’ll have to wait a bit to see mine and that’s okay!

Our subject this weekend was being in community with God and with other friends.  We talked a lot about how in America we don’t really encourage intimacy with lots of people because of our life style.  We live in individual houses in neighborhoods that have walls, houses that have fences, where we usually go in our back door without seeing anyone.  In contrast to women in Africa who work, eat, and socialize together surrounded by their children in neighborhoods where everyone lives together.  Our modernization and mobility are deterrents to being involved and having deep relationships with not only friends but also family!

It’s time for me to change that in my life — I’m looking for friends who want to be open, honest, and real in my life!  Let’s do lunch and soon!

I guess I am really glad it got out.  I would hate to think that I was responsible for the execution of a hungry little raccoon, and I’m not sure that Wray wasn’t going to grab the cage and rush out into the woods with it!  We like to think of ourselves as wildlife relocators!!!

Wray, camera ready, has tried to capture our new friend on film so I could  post his beautiful face for all to see, but it’s hard to get him to smile for the camera!  Tonight we are pulling out the stops – we are opening a new can of dog food to put in the cage instead of  just a little dry stuff — keep your fingers crossed!

While I was in Kenya several years ago, they were experiencing little earthquakes.  We never felt anything, but were totally blown away when the news media there said that a big earthquake would devastate that huge city because the buildings were so poorly constructed.  We saw builders holding up sides of buildings with sticks waiting for the cement to dry.  I am sure Haiti’s construction is much the same.  We need to be praying hard for the people of Haiti, not only now but for years to come.

I guess when you sit down and consider all I have to be thankful for, 2009 was not so bad!  I hope 2010 will be another great year!  This year I resolve to count my blessings daily!!!