A Certain Woman in Eastern Europe

I will be traveling for most of the month of September. From 3-10 Sept, I will be in Kansas City, MO visiting Arden who has relocated to IHOP - International House of Prayer, the ministry of Mike Bickle. Arden relocated there from Szeged, Hungary. This will be a sabbatical year for her. Follow her blog by clicking her listing under "Certain Friends". Sept 10-29 I will be in Anchorage, Alaska visiting friends and supporters and reconnecting with my sending church "Abbott Loop Community Church" (ALCC) http://www.abbottloop.org/ This was my furlough year and I will return to Alaska to report on this year and what I see ahead when I return to Hungary at the end of October. This Labor day marks one year since the Lord turned my heart and ministry to New York. It has been a surprising, intense, emotional and extremely enriching and rewarding year being "home" to care for my mother. I so appreciate the many prayers, phone calls, emails, facebook entries and Skype...

Mini class reunion at Sandy's camp - Howie and Cathy, MJ, Mary, Mary Catherine, Amy, Debbie and Sandy (seated) Best Buds - Mary Catherine and Mary Jill East Caroga Lake In July I became reunited with one of my best friends from 7-12 grade. She lives in Ohio now but always returns to her family's summer home (know as a "camp" here) from June - August. What a great time of reunion we have had. During the "hot" days of August we spent many an afternoon at Caroga Lake enjoying the sun and water. It was so refreshing for me to see her in between visits at the nursing home. We also enjoyed a mini class reunion luncheon at Canada Lake.

The latest - After almost losing mom on Friday (non responsive, very low blood pressure, septic - severe urinary tract infection!) she then spent 3 days in ICU & now is moved to regular room and unhooked from everything. She seems pretty good. We have moved her out of the nursing home she was in and again hope to place her locally. Elders moving from hosp have priority soooooooo. In the meantime and on the hottest day of the year we cleaned out the attic yesterday. Towards the end of the time, my nephew the medic and someday docter intervened and ordered us all downstairs to consume lots of icewater. Apparently, all our seriously red faces alarmed him :-). Life goes on....and I am surrounded with boxes that need to be sorted, heaved, given or sold. Remind me .....this too will pass?? Love & thanks for your friendship, interest and prayers!!!

Sorry to be so behind in posting. Life is filled with running to the nursing home, sorting through stuff at mom's house to either throw, give, or sell. Then we need to clean and stage the house for a house sale. Of course, this all has to be done as soon as possible.....and I still plan to live in the hosue through October! In addition, we just discovered mom has a fractured left wrist. She is in a soft cast and we are waiting news on blood tests and have a follow up appointment on Monday with the orthopedist. Apparently it happened when she fell out of bed her second week in care. She told us her room mate pushed her out of bed and we ended up moving her. (within the home). So,......life continutes to be busy, sometimes intense and overwhelming with occasional e family drama. I so appreciate your prayers. In between all of this, I am getting some time to see my son and family and friends. Pictures will follow. Thanks so much for praying! Blessings,MJ

Mom enjoying the sun as she waits for her guests Son Tim from Singapore and his daughters Ami, Lauren and Meghan and their children Jacob, and Sage Tim and Ami, Meghan with her daughter Sage (18 months), Lauren and her son Jacob (12 months) and Ami's son Ethan (5). Tim lives in Singapore, Meghan in Baltimore, Maryland, Ami from Anaheim, California and Lauren from Sydney, Australia These sweeties are the 3 youngest greatgrands of mom's 9 greatgrands

I was able to purchase the excellent language lessons of Rosetta Stone for learning Polish. It just seemed a great idea for my birthday - I am excited to begin. I will keep you posted.

Joanie, Mona, MJ and Tina enjoy the lake view and then the fireworks THANK YOU one and all for all the facebook greetings, phone calls and e-mails. Not to mention the balloons, the cakes, the flowers, the cards, the e-cards and the fireworks! We have been celebrating my special day - for an entire week! :-). I am soooooo glad so many remembered and I am tremendously blessed with incredible friends and family! I look forward to this new year with hope and anticipation of the furtherance of His plans and destiny for my life in the nations.

A little bit out of town but a beautiful ride and setting Granddaughter Sarah comes to visit - note mom's new pixie hair cut Daughter in law Sue and mom enjoy the wonderful patio

Notice the 3 cakes :-) Enjoying the sun Jim as Uncle Sam This last week has been quite the roller coaster of a week. The condensed version is that we moved mom into an extended care facility last Monday July 6. The roller coaster part has been all the realities of that and coping with the emotions of the new reality. The Lord had repeatedly told me not to take matters in my own hand and to wait and see what would happen and indicated I would look back and say - truly it was the Lord. When the boys decided now was the time and talked with mom, she replied that "Yes, it is time and she was ready." What a relief that was to hear. Last Sunday we had unusually wonderful weather and had a grill party on the deck and most all the family was able to come. Mom loves sitting on the deck in nice weather and loves even more having her family around. We celebrated the 4th of July, my birthday and being together. On Monday the 6th we took mom to the facility. Now we are all in that ...

Let freedom ring! God bless America and God Bless you!!

It was only an overnight but we got a chance to make chocolate chip cookies, enjoyed "Red, White and Blue" French Toast for breakfast, hugs from greatgrammy and time for the boys to play catch with dad not to mention falling in love with a stray dog.

A couple of my nieces think so and since they told me that I have seen some moments that would have been viewer worthy. So, here is the latest episode - Saturday, June 27 was the 25th anniversary of my dad, "Bits" death. Mom had been wanting to go up to the cemetary to see how the plants were doing so we scheduled 2.30 on Saturday....of course it was pouring down rain but hey, we had the help - MJ, Kathi, Jim & Rhonda so off we went. We then kidnapped David for the "visit". Mom was so excited to be out for a ride even in the rain. The "dry" run - Jim & Kathi trying out the ramps How many Irishmen does it take...... I rolled the car window down for this shot :-) We miss you Bits! - On the tip of the flag - Jim has placed his "Callery for Fulton County Treasurer" badge - don't miss mom in the car The plants are looking good and we added a bouquet of roses

"No rules for kids" Uncle Jack tried to back the riding lawn mower out of the garage. The door actually hit his head and he was flicking glass out of his hair. He is ok, the lawnmover is ok, (David is glad because it is his!) he did the lawn so that's ok and now we wait for the repair.

Is mom a Maxine look alike or what?

and the strawberry shortcake - fresh berries and from scratch shortcake - yummy! Check out the painting on the wall - MJ original 1992

For the past 3 summers I have enjoyed special trips with my grandchildren. Michael just sent me this photo from 2 years ago. Do I look happy or what. Friday, the grands (and their mom) finished school for this year and the whole family flies to Florida tomorrow with their "Nana" and aunt, uncle and cousins for a week in Disney. Have a great trip!

Mary Katherine and Mary Jill sit with their brothers Jack and Michael Aren't we sweet :-)

and their new bikes!

Mikhaila and Great-Grandma Raelene and Michael Great-Grandma Jill with her oldest grandson Michael and her oldest great-grands, Bryce, Mikhaila and Austin who will be 13,12 and 11 this year A computer bonding moment between dad and son What a joy to have Michael and Bryce come and spend a night and the rest of the family join them the next day. Then Michael even spent an additional night and we had lunch together.before he hit the road Jilly's happy! and so was Great Grandma Jill

Carol and I met in Budapest, Hungary a number of yoears ago. We quickly became fast friends. Four years ago she moved to Capetown, South Africa but we were able to catch up in Holland at a conference 2 years ago. Now we are amazed to find ourselves in the USA at the same time. She graciously drove up from her mom's near Philly to spend 3 days with me. We had a great time together. Carol got to meet 99% of the family including the dogs (to her delight!) even in this short of a time. Mom just loved her and Carol & I even got a day out together. What fun renewing sweet friendships. At our favorite ice cream store Together again!! and the weather is rainy but we managed to breakfast with a friend in Caroga Lake, check out a cabin for summer rent (with the grands) and drive to Cooperstown with great stops on the way Saying so long to mom