And now my heart is raised again!

Only yesterday morning Judy and I were talking about my dear friends in Mexico, as I told her that more than once, when I've talked about them or even thought of them, ta da!, I hear from Rafi. Tonight, as I was posting my blog for the day, up popped an e-mail from them, complete with a photo of little Rafi learning how to ski. What a way to brighten my day and my heart! See, Judy....I told you this might happen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They want to know when I am coming to Mexico......hmmmm........let me think 'bout that!

"I've cried that cry...."

Safe and snug back in my own home after a day spent driving and seminaring (is that a word???). Very early this morning I was up, showered, and dressed before heading over to church to meet the rest of the group for our long ride to Tallahassee. Lynne drove her mini-van which fit our six attendees comfortably. At least, I was comfortable anyway! On the way over to "Tally" I was able to ride in the second row of seats next to Brian, while Jim rode in the front seat with the driver and Pastor and Rick in the way back. My cooler fit nicely between the feet of Brian and me, ready access is everything to me. On the way over I'd stopped at Sonic for my big drink which held me nearly all the way to Faith Lutheran.

*

We had such great showing from our church, while the host congregation had better attendance, as would be expected. Another area church had three men, interestingly enough, all Marines at one point in their lives. How fun! We went quickly through our prepared materials, with our group being the presenters' first time doing so. He came all the way from TN to do this so hopefully he's satisfied with how it went. Once finished with the material, we were encouraged to go through the workbook and make some plans for future reachings into the community. It was not a truly rich class as far as big ideas or direction, but it was beneficial to be reminded and encouraged to think "outside the box" when it comes to who is our community.

*

For the ride home, the guys hustled back into the van, leaving me to sit in the front seat, totally separated from my cooler. We did discuss briefly some of the high points picked up from the seminar but so many of my highly interesting remarks leaned more toward inreach programs, which means, that is where I need to focus. It's my favorite opportunity to serve so should run with that, I guess!

*

Brian and I decided to go have dinner after we got back to church, so he called Cathy B. to see if she'd like to join us, too. Lynne overheard our conversation so said she wished to come as well, since her hubby was working late. Only the four of us went to Olive Garden and after a short wait, were seated. Oh, it was just great to have this relaxing down time with them over some delicious pasta and salad. Yes, I had some salad tonight which tasted wonderful. There is just something about the tossed salad at Olive Garden!

*

Before long, I was home again, coming into my empty house----a reminder that my friend is gone! Boo hoo hoo! Now I am ensconced in my nightie and caftan, warming myself with my heating pad, and gazing over the river with the moon reflecting across the water. We had such great laughs tonight over dinner and all week long, it was marvelous! Thank the Lord I was blessed with a good memory!

*

Friday, when Judy was here, we had plans to go to a movie and then to lunch, perhaps to be joined by Judy J. Before heading into the theater, though, we decided to go look in the bookstore for a certain children's book she'd told me about. After some time in the store amid the shelves, it was time for us to go buy our tickets for "The Secret Life of Bees". I'd looked up the information on-line first so found the afternoon showing to be at 1:15. When I ordered them, the cashier said the show began at 2:05, and wondered where we got the information. Evidently another group of women also thought it began earlier, so I didn't feel too stupid. We went to try "5 Guys" burgers which recently opened but the other Judy couldn't make it on such short notice. Too bad about that but she did think she'd come by in the evening when we were cropping.

*

Soon it was time to try again for the movie, arriving in time to see some previews. Judy offered to treat to the snacks but since we'd just had lunch, I only took a soda. She had determined at home already that she was getting Junior Mints after reading the "Coffee Table Book" about "Seinfeld". It was a good snack to have a couple pieces of mint but just a couple were enough for me.

*

The movie was fantastic, very very good. At one point in the storyline, one of the main chararcters is so upset about something that happened to another character, and disappeared. The family and friends went out in search of their slightly unbalanced sister and she was discovered floating face up in a stream, apparently a suicide. The older sister pulled her from the water and I was hanging onto Judy as hard as I could. She'd forgotten about the drowning, making it impossible to give me a heads-up so it totally caught me off guard. And to hear the caretaker sister making the sounds only a horribly grieving mother can make..........Judy squeezed my hand as I whispered to her, "I have cried that cry....", which she acknowledged.

*

Later, when talking about it to Justin, he, too, said he had forgotten about the drowning but also said it was better to not be expecting it. He'd read the book this movie was based upon when he was in the 11th grade for required reading so is not in a big hurry to see the movie. I am incredibly glad Judy was with me at the movie and will miss holding her hand now that she is gone back to her sweet husband/best friend, Jer Bear!