10-9-03 Mary Wrote:

Hello from Mary!
Yes I am late and I am not apologizing for it. In the last three weeks we have had all kinds of events bring all kinds of emotions thru our house and thru me.

To start things off, we found out that the pastor at Rocky Ridge turned in his resignation very quickly and abruptly one Sunday morning following a very heated congregational meeting. Paul and I have been unactive there about a year but still felt the pain of these events. We wonder what our role should be if any or if we just need to give it time.

The second event in our life was a phone call from my good friend Lynn, that the time had come for her to receive a kidney transplant. We have been waiting a long time and she has been on dialysis for 3 years. Her husband was sick and could not drive so I took her down to University of Penn. and waited in admissions for 4 hours not really knowing anything. We finally found out that they were waiting for an empty bed and house cleaning to prepare the room. She got into her room at 6PM to find out that surgery would not be till the next morning. The next day I took her husband down and sat with him for 4 hours not really knowing anything till she returned to her room about 6 PM. To make a long story short she is home now but has no family to help her out so I am there off and on during the week and traveling to Phila at least once a week.

The third thing came on Sunday, we received news that some friends of ours, 24 year old son died from cardiac arrest from a reaction to a pain killer. Paul and I went to the viewing last night and stood in line for 2 hours, I have never expierenced anything like that. Many young people gathered, to bring support to the family. So I am not apologizing and here is my letter.

Hi all!!!
School has begun and we entered many new stages in our schooling this year. Aaron has passed his driver test so no more early mornings to the barn for me. He is also enrolled at Bucks County Community College for 2 courses (6 credits) this semester. He goes Monday and Wednesday mornings from 8:30 - 11:30, the courses are Algebra and an Inroduction to Buisness. He had trouble getting the Internet math program to work for him but he is learning.

David is attending the Upper Bucks Vo-tech Program for Diesel Technology. He travels with Paul in the morning and then brings the bus back to the high school where I pick him up at lunch and then he does the rest of his school work in the afternoon. This has been quite an adjustment because other years by 1-2:00 I was finished with school and now I still need to work with David in the afternoons so my day takes a little different shape.

Nathan and Samuel continue to learn at home. Nathan has biology with a group at Finland Mennonite Church and a literature and government class on Fridays. Samuel is playing soccor with the Quakertown Christian School and joins Nathan for participation in a drama group.

Well Paul and I just sit around wondering what we will do when all of these activities cease in our home. (No Wise comments please.)

. I really appreciate the memories and the many family comments - We are such a blessed family. I wanted to answer the request about memories of Norman. I really don't remember very much but I cherish the afternoon breaks he used to take up in the feed room, I remember finding him up there taking a nap just before milking time. I would sit or curl up next to him and he would be just as gentle and kind as can be. I often wonder what we talked about besides the cats and kittens that would gather around our feet. I also wonder if that was an approved break or a "who cares break".

My other childhood memory comes in the form of phrases:
"If they didn't tease you, they wouldn't love you" (Oh how I hated that kind of love but today I am better for it - thanks)
"Too much fruit and you will have kollie wobbles in your antepoodles" (How' s the spelling on that one)
"Don't count your chickens before they hatch"
"Don't wear out your welcome"

A memory phrase from Paul's childhood:
"Treat your brother like a friend not like a brother, because brothers in the Bible fight. A friend loves at all times."
I have been thankful for this thinking in teaching our boys.

Well I am tired and it is time for bed - I am burning the late night oil.

Bye
Mary