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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