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
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