MAYLIN2007

One of the parents that went on the trip "Facebooked" these pictures. I was so thrilled to get them. Only a few of them had my son in them, but that was okay. It was STILL MARVELOUS to see where he was. I have included the description of what the picture is. Thanks to Greg J. for being so thoughtful. A Palestinian city. You can tell it is by the tall turret things that are in the air. King Herod's Hippodrome in Caesarea. (Horse racing facility) Austin is clear over on the left side stepping down from the beach area. He has his head down. The boat ride on the Sea of Galilee This is a 1st century boat that was found in 1980 in the floor of the Sea of Galilee. Dinner in Tiberias! Rice, duck, okra and peppers!! Greg J wrote: "I know one mother that will love this picture." That mother would be me!!! The other boy's mom went with them. This picture gave me a glimpse of what I would see in a year with Austin's mission. Here they are taking a picture of the...

Thursday night was Kens first opportunity to go to a dance! Despite the trauma of getting a ride to the dance, Kens had a fabulous time. The dances in our area are usually for those 14 and up, so this was her very first dance. The theme was "Time Periods." She didn't tell me that there was a theme until 2 hours before, so we looked high and low through our closets and made this make shift "1920's outfit". I think it actually turned out quite cute. She felt good about how she looked. She had a great time at the dance with the kids her age. She only danced with a boy once, but enjoyed dancing the rest of the time in a big group. I am so grateful that even though the day was very traumatic, that she had a great time at the dance itself. I think she looks beautiful!!!

While we were getting ready for bed and sleeping, Austin's day was going on. They are 9 hours ahead. Here is what he did while we were sleeping. He visited Tabgha where the miracle of the loaves and fishes took place. He visited the Mount of Beatitudes and Capernaum. This is where the Savior lived after he left Narazareth. Four of his disciples were chosen here too. The he went to Chorazin and Bethsaida. Bethsaida is where Philip, Andrew and Peter lived. Later Peter moved to Capernaum. They are only about 3 miles away. To finish the night off he took at boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. I looked up his hotel on the Internet and it is RIGHT ON the Sea of Galilee! I am so excited for him. I wish I could talk to him and hear about his day. During our night tonight, he will be driving to Jerusalem. On the way he will stop at Nazareth, see Mount Tabor and drive through the Jordan Valley to see the Dead Sea and Qumran.

This post may be a bit harsh, but it it the truth. At least, my truth. I have been so disappointed in the lack of commitment and integrity that seems to exist or should I say not exist in the world today. Yesterday, my feelings came to a head. Let me share two experiences with you. I realized I needed to write this down the moment I was hugging my crying, broken hearted daughter and the following came out of my mouth. "Don't have close friends. You can't trust them. It's not worth the trouble." I am saddened by how I feel and for the council I gave my daughter, but after years of seeing the lack of commitment and integrity of people especially friends and then having my daughter, twice in one day, be hurt by the very same thing, I decided enough was enough. I am probably wrong, but in that moment that was all I had to say. My daughter wanted to go to a dance last night. I couldn't take her, I had a meeting and Jay was gone, so on Wednesday she arranged for me ...

Austin's appointment went fine. They ran some tests, adjusted things a bit and told me they feel confident the pacemaker is working and that he will be fine. Relief! Got him off at the airport. I think he was a bit nervous. When we went in and I had him check in on his own while I watched, he turned to me and said, "I can't believe you are letting me go 1/2 way around the world by myself." He had never expressed that so I am betting the reality of it got to him a bit. He was super excited though. I watched him all the way through security. Mainly to see if he remembered to put his passport thing back around his neck and to see if he didn't walk through the security check, but told them about his pacemaker/defibrillator. He did it. Good thing I went because when they asked for his boarding pass he freaked. He couldn't remember where we put it. That was funny because we specifically selected a pocket in his backpack that he would easily remember. I wouldn't ...

Okay. Its here and I am freaking out! Aus leaves tomorrow for Israel. I have been completely calm until about 15 minutes ago. Yow! Zowwie! Okay. Deep breath. **Update: At 6:00 a.m. his heart doctor called. They had him send in a report on Friday so they could look at it. He had a couple of days where his heart rate went into the 50's. He came out of it on his own because his pace maker didn't pace him. They want to know why, so they asked us to come to the hospital at 7:45 a.m. this morning (on our way to the airport) and they are going to adjust his pacemaker. I guess it is better to be safe than sorry, but please, there is something to timing!

There were a million things to do today. Here is the list with a check if things were complete. 1.Get kids off to school. CHECK 2.Go back to bed and sleep in so our terrible cold will go away. CHECK and HALF CHECK (Went back to bed, but Nini woke up 30 minutes later, so no sleep in time.) 3. Sew ribbons onto shoes for Kens' fairy costume for the upcoming play. CHECK (And that was hard, my finger still hurts from pushing the needle through a shoe.) 4. Start the 8 loads of laundry. CHECK 5. Make bed. CHECK 6. Get ready. HALF CHECK (Got dressed, but no make up or hair was done.) 7. Go to bank to get new money for Aus' trip. CHECK 8. Go to Walmart because bank didn't have enough new money and apparently (according to teller) Walmart carries new money. She was right! CHECK 9. Go to another bank to get Aus his own credit card for trip. HALF CHECK (Bank would do it, but with a $25 fee. Went to another bank.) 10. Go to another bank to get credit card. CHECK 11. Go to McDon*lds to g...