Brace yourself.  I haven’t written in quite a while so there’s a lot of catching up to do.  How’ve you been?  I’ve been better.  No, I mean that!  I’m much better than the last time I wrote to you, and I am thankful for each healthy day.

We’ll start with last Friday.  Ladies from the church came early and began pricing all the donations for the lawn sale on Saturday.  It was a benefit sale for a church in South Africa that feeds and cares for orphans.  It was a cloudy/windy Saturday for the sale and a few times the heavy sprinkles put us in serious prayer mode.  Thankfully, it was not serious rain and we ended our day with $1000 for our labors.

Friday afternoon I went up and visited with Marie.  She’s still doing great.  I got home in time for lasagna, a visit from Kathy, and a game of hand and foot.  Nicole and I lost soundly.   Bob was away for the night in Bangor.

There were four decent items that did not sell after we closed our sale on Saturday.  Two of the items we put on the lawn with a FREE sign.  That evening one item was gone.  By noon on Sunday the other item was gone.  Two items that were by the garage went to two guys from the dump.  With no trouble at all, everything got taken away.

We were supposed to attend a senior reception for Annelene at the college late that afternoon.  She called to say that she couldn’t make it.  She was at the coast with an old friend who had come for the graduation for DC.  We decided to meet in Augusta for supper at Longhorns.  We were joined by Crysten, and Annelene’s two friends Amy and Beka.  Nice girls and we had a great time with them.

Sunday was a spectacular day.  Instead of heading out to church, the three of us headed to Colby for Annelene’s 10 AM graduation.  I wasn’t looking forward to the ceremonies, but wanted to support Annelene who had no family for the event.  The senior who spoke was actually very funny and good.  Also, the guest speaker was very practical and shared lessons learned from his father.  Very practical and we enjoyed him. 

We came home and enjoyed lunch and wondered what to do next on such a beautiful day.  Bob went over to friends to watch Faith Like Potatoes. This South African movie is based on an inspiring true story. A white farmer, of Scottish descent, grew weary of conditions in Zambia, and decided to migrate down to South Africa. He set up a farm in KwaZulu-Natal. Starting with almost nothing, he struggled desperately to survive, until a personal encounter with God changed his life and fortune. 

I had seen the movie so I stayed behind with Crysten and we enjoyed the outside and tweaked her landscaping a little.  Bob called later and I joined everyone for a taco supper.  It was delicious with the fresh salsa.

Memorial Day was early this year, but we had a gorgeous day anyway.  It did threaten to rain at times, but never really materialized.  We so desperately need rain.  We enjoyed a picnic with family and friends at Kevin and Lisa’s. Erika’s dress arrived on Saturday so she modeled it for all of us girls.  She is really enjoying getting ready for her big day and it’s fun to watch.

Tim, Beth, and Grant Kelley joined us.  They are neighbors to the Risingers in North Carolina and have been in Maine for the last month. 

Crysten wanted me to be sure to mention that Loralei came in second in a basketball game of Knockout.   I know this will come as quite a surprise to the family… it’s a surprise just that she would play.  I’m not a basketball player either, but they got me roped into playing as well.  It’s always good for some laughs.  Even the young ones get involved and it takes all their might to get that basketball up to the hoop, but they can do it.  So cute.

Bob went to work shortly after lunch, and I went to church with Michele while Crysten went home with the Burbanks.  It was a Patriotic service with the president of Ambassador College as the guest speaker.  Very good service. 

Nicole and I picked up Crysten and did some shopping at Wal-Mart before arriving home rather late.  The four oldest Burbank children have “moved” out of their home. That’s what they call it.   They have pitched their tent over by the play house and have slept out there for three nights in a row.  They have a big stick in case something goes bump in the night and scares them.  They say this is going to last indefinitely so we’ll see.

Today was windy but warm.  I got some landscaping done early this morning.  Little by little and I am almost done tweaking things.  Had a busy day of Shaklee customers and the Kelley’s came for a Big G’s supper before driving Nicole to the airport.

Nicole is working as a camp counselor and piano player this summer at a Christian camp in PA.  When she arrived at the airport she was told that her connecting flight was canceled and she would have to wait until morning to fly out.  After a few phone calls, it was decided that the camp director would pick her up in Philly, so she did fly out after all and will not need the connecting flight.  It’s a four hour round trip for him, though.  Cha-ching and late night! 

Tonight was family night at the meetings in Clinton.  Michele went and when she came home, she had Kaleb with her.  He and Justin are pretty happy to be together in their camo jams.  They are watching a movie and enjoying pop corn and string cheese before going to sleep.  It will be interesting to see if Megan, Carissa, and Isaac last in the tent tonight without Kaleb.

I asked Kaleb if he went to the children’s program at church tonight.  He’s 8 and replied, “No, I don’t like that kid’s stuff.  I just stayed up in the service.”  My little man…

Well, for what it’s worth, that’s it.  Until later….

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