Carol! Awesome! I'm so glad you're back! Kathy
At 03:52 AM 4/7/2006, you wrote:
>Hi there to everyone! <Smiles>
>
>Nobody was more surprised than I was when I took the plunge to
>return to ECHURCH-USA. I started to feel a real longing in my heart
>to share fellowship with you all again (friends old and new) and
>then, a couple of months back, dear Charles sent me a day's worth
>of reading from the list! (That caught me up a little with some
>things and made me feel even more "homesick" and want to return and
>I've finally got round to it.)
>
>The thing is, I've been ill now for months, have very little energy,
>have considerable restrictions even on reading too much email and
>even more on writing, currently only using a BrailleNote and having
>much pain and little arm movement, so God has to be in this one!
>
>First, for those who don't yet know me, I'm Carol from the UK. I
>spent several years on the USA list and have been back once or twice
>since then. We also now have a UK list running, but I dare to say
>that most of my deeper sharing and encouragement comes from across
>the Atlantic!
>
>I'm married to the most wonderful husband there is called Mike.
>He works full time, then comes home and does many of the things that
>I cannot! Our story of when we first met and then later as he
>became a Christian is worth the reading, if only I could get round
>to writing it!
>
>I have a retired guide dog called Fabian who is now almost 12 and
>getting pretty arthritic. He's also deaf, usually by choice and has
>learned, in his retirement, what all good dogs learn and that is how
>to say "I want and if you don't mind I'll have it now!"
>
>Because of my physical limitations, Mike and I have been allowed to
>share working his guide, Roxy. She's a real character and we love
>her, despite the fact she is very active and always wants the last
>word! She's doing very well for us both and I just take her once or
>twice a week for the very short routes, but she loves it and knows
>without being told when I'm going to be taking her!
>
>Our church life is much better than many blind people have. At
>least we do have some very good teaching, a fairly minimum amount of
>help and we have good friends. However, like so many churches, many
>are afraid of disability, some feel they don't want to make the
>necessary effort to include us and some refuse to change their ways,
>so I still feel like tearing my hair out from time to time as I'm
>refused yet another offer of a service I may be able to give! Well,
>I know this, God wants our willingness and whether or not we do the
>job does not count against that initial "Yes, I'm willing", but so
>often I long to share in the more active tasks as "workers together with HIM"!
>
>I've been a Christian now for over 40 years and feel I've been much
>like those Israelites wandering around in the desert, falling away,
>losing sight of Him etc, but He has just always been wonderfully
>faithful and has seen me through some really tough times! (You'll
>find just one or two insights into what He has done for me on Phil's
>SAFEPLACE web site.) There are many more unwritten at this stage
>and I long to have the energy to write a book!
>
>To those of you who I know so well, "Hello" and big hugs and lovings
>are extended! Please, any of you, catch me up with your news
>personally if more appropriate.
>
>Vicki, naughty girl for being so sneaky. You knew I was around!
><Haw>
>
>Pat, I was sorry to learn of your mum and you know I'll pray on.
>Have you the latest news on Charles? I am going to try to call him.
>
>Kathy, I still pray regularly for Chris and would like more up to
>date news if you can write me.
>
>Sharon I thought your Easter egg idea was great but don't have time
>or energy to do it myself. If you haven't got enough Scriptures or
>want to share with me what you have so far and need more, contact me off list.
>
>Peggy, it's been good to see you around on the BN list, along with
>others here that I don't yet know so well.
>
>Rhonda I've always appreciated your messages, even when I haven't
>been able to respond.
>
>Dave and Rachchel, it's good to have you here also. (You'll find
>yourselves speaking American nonsensical English before long if you
>listen to that Philip too much!) <More smiles>
>
>I'm in danger of leaving some out, though I haven't yet looked at a
>full list to see who's there, so speak up, please, as I have and
>let's party together!
>
>Love in Jesus Christ our Lord:
>
>CAROL
>[log in to unmask]
|