See You in Heaven!

 Sam's Uncle George passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday morning.  Since he and his wife, Lenore, moved up to the Cities, we have been able to spend several holidays together.  We saw George and Lenore just last week . . . 

Cousin Phyllis, Sam, Lenore, and George

Farmer's Appreciation Day!

 For years now, my hometown has had a celebration the first Saturday of August known as "Farmer's Appreciation Day"!  We weren't there, but this year was special because of the man in the blue shirt riding in the parade waving at us:

That would be my dad!  He's riding in a wagon being pulled by the first tractor ever fixed by Jaycox Implement in Lake Park, Iowa. He would know.  He was one of the original three employees at Jaycox.  He has since retired (say twenty-four years ago!), but on the wagon with him are several employees of thirty-years or more.  The tractor is being driven by the new owner of Jaycox, Chad Jaycox.  We go way back - I used to babysit Chad and his big brother, Bart. Here's a better look:

Thankful Thursday!

 We had a wonderful day at Dad's yesterday!  Micah drove us there and back as well as baked two types of cookies for us to enjoy.  I got to paint and clean in the bathroom while my sister cleaned the living room carpet.  That left Dad, Sam and my brother-in-law Ray power washing the house!  I am thankful that we could spend that time together and that we could help Dad.

Sail On!

 

Bon voyage Global Mercy

The Global Mercy recently slipped her berth from the shipyard in China, and now she's underway. We are so excited for all that is ahead for this vessel of hope as we prepare to serve twice as many people as ever before!  Join with us in wishing the crew 'fair winds and following seas' as they make the long voyage to Europe to undergo the installation of the hospital equipment and IT systems.

Fatmata.

 

With bowed legs that bent more severely every year, even walking the short distance to the local school had been out of the question for Fatmata.

As the only child with an this type of condition in her area, the young girl also struggled with bullying by the other kids her age.

Despite these hardships, Fatmata’s family never lost hope that her future could be brighter. Her Aunt Mariam would return home from her job every night and spend hours teaching Fatmata, making sure that she did not fall behind in her studies.   ​One day Fatmata's family heard about an orthopedic surgery program onboard the Africa Mercy, a visiting hospital ship. Her aunt brought her to the ship for evaluation and soon she was walking up the gangway for her operation. Fatmata’s family was at her side rejoicing when the young girl took her first steps in her casts.  “She is full of curiosity — she wants to know everything there is to know,” her father, Hassane said. “Fatmata has a great destiny ahead of her.”

Now able to walk with ease, Fatmata has returned to school. It’s impossible to imagine Fatmata not going far in life — and while her straighter legs are a piece of that possibility, it’s the love and commitment of her family and support from friends like you that give her the ability to stand tall.

One.

 Sadly, that is the number of days Micah did NOT have to wear a mask to work this summer.  Her two weeks of waiting after her second Covid shot were up at 9 a.m. this morning.  She asked yesterday if I thought she could go in to work without a mask a day early because at Cub all unvaccinated employees MUST wear a face mask.  Always the rebel, I said, "Sure.  You're only nineteen hours early . . ."

She came home last night so sad.  "Cub said all employees have to start wearing face masks tomorrow whether or not they've been vaccinated."  Bummer . . .

From the Mouths of Babes . . .

STORY ONE: Friday night, Sam and I went to Faith Church in Minnetonka to see my co-worker and our friend, Tracy Holcomb, perform as the Fairy Godmother in "Cinderella".  The theater went silent went Prince Charming kissed Cinderella.  Then a small voice spoke up, "Ewww . . . ."  I don't know who was laughing louder - the audience or the cast!

STORY TWO:  Sunday morning in church, the pastor showed on the screen a picture of two men pulling a cart with SQUARE wheels that was full of round wheels.  He asked, "Who would pull a cart with square wheels"?  Once again, in a moment of silence, we all heard a small voice say, "Not me!"