A note I sent out today to some close friends ...

Dear Everybody,

I haven't sent out a "Dear Everybody" letter since ... a Christmas letter in my 20's ... oh no wait ... I use to send them to the Wacky Pack ... one of you will remember the Wacky Pack. Wow how time flies.

Anyway, in general, I hate "Dear Everybody" letters. They're so ... ... ... well there's about three different ways a body can turn with that idea ... pick your own path. But I also love writing in forums ... where friendly types I like hang out .... and I love writing comments on blogs ... so let's pretend I'm sending a very private message to my own very private forum group.

First, most of you are wondering why you've not heard from me in at least a month. You can find the answer to that question here: My blog at Xanga

But the bottom line is: I'm freaking out and as I get older, I get quieter and quieter according to the level of freaking out I'm doing.

Here's the short list ...
#1) Right this very minute, Billy is interviewing for a job in Tarrytown. It is outside of NYC to the north ... Like Plano to Dallas, Texas. So far, Billy likes the company and the project. It is a reasonable amount of money for NY especially since we do not have to consider raising children.

God is amazing ... on Sunday night ... when Billy was nearly resigned to the idea that he might not get to go to interview in NY ... $1000 ... was placed in Billy's hand specifically for this trip.

#2) In two hours, Valerie (my middle child) will be taking a "challenge test" ... something like a CLEP. For some insane reason the Art Institute of Portland refrained from telling Valerie that the "basic computer" class that she took in Dallas would not transfer as a "basic computer science" class. Or some such nonsense. ... They did not inform her of this until after the last quarter had started. Right. It's true. So, if she does not pass this test, she does not get to graduate.

#3) Tomorrow, my future daughter-in-law and Matthew, my son, are scheduled to spend the entire day in court. They will be fighting for custody of her daughter. My son has spent a great deal of his time and energy and money ... oh and love ... on this endeavor and I am exceedingly proud of him.

#4) Tomorrow Valerie will be flying to Dallas and must somehow maintain her studies, visit with everyone, and attend to all the events surrounding her brother's wedding.

#5) As it stands right this minute, I will not be flying to Dallas for Matthew's wedding. There is no money. It is hard to accept. And I know if God can place money in Billy's hands for the interview in NY, he can certainly get me (preferably us) to Dallas ... clothed appropriately.

I covet your prayers in all of these things. God has been very good to us in amazing ways. I believe He is capable of providing good gifts. In fact this has been my prayer for my family during this time ...

"Lord, you know the good gifts I want for my family and for myself. You are able to provide much better than I can imagine or ask. Please protect and provide."

It is based on the words of Jesus in Matthew 7: 9 - 11

9"Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone?
10"Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?
11"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!

I will tell you one thing ... one lesson I have learned about friends. It is a deep and rich blessing to have people in my life ... many of whom I've never met ... all over the world ... friends who want good things to happen for me. There are, however, times when I wish travel was not so expensive ... specifically ... funerals and weddings ... you have been missed at a few ... and I have missed a few. But ... I also cannot begin to express what it means to me to have such a varied collection of friendships ... you are such a vibrant group of warm threads in a beautiful and comforting shawl about me.

I stand in need of your prayers and I know I can count on you for them.

With love for you all and hopes that you will find joy in your life,

PamElise
Aka MarillaAnne