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]
|