Carol,
How wonderful! Praise God!
WHow long has it been? Maybe almost two years?
I have taken a few short breaks from the list, but couldn't stay away long.

I'll write you off list, but for now, I just wanted to greet you and send 
you a cyber hug.
Greetings to you also from my wife, Armine.
With my new piano tuning business, I don't have a lot of time, but I do try 
to read most of the messages on the list.
I'll write later.
God bless and strengthen you and  Mike this day and in the future.
    Oh Yes, and sometime when you have time and energy, I'm sure we would 
all love to hear the story of how you and Mike got together.

Vinny
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Carol Pearson" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, April 07, 2006 12:52 AM
Subject: Re: Guess Who Is Back?


> 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]