I'm so sorry that I've fallen behind on the new people's introductions and on the news of the neighborhood! I've read them all, and will try to get my comments caught up by Monday.

To all new neighbors I welcome you sincerely, and hope to welcome you each personally here very soon.

Best hugs to all my neighbors, it's so good to be home in my own little "posting" spot!

Travel is so time consuming!

(((hugs))) Sandi. We miss you when you travel too!

Its good to have you back Sandi! Enjoy your weekend at home!

smooches xx

Sandi,
Good to have you back. I've been wondering how the trip went. Especially the 9th.
Hugs!

Hi Jean,
Thanks for asking. It went better than I hoped, it was hard. Especially at 8:00 p.m. on the 9th. It was a time when the memories came rushing back and I had a couple of sleepless nights. But I'm fine, I'm taking care of myself, and my heart goes on. During the trip, it was poignant to me that a new email relationship began with my nephew. I've been bugging him to contact me. I got my first email from him during the trip with the subject line, "I miss you." He's only 11, has Asperger's Syndrome, so it's huge for him to say something that emotional. He sent three sentences. "Hi Aunt Sandi, this is me, LambChop. I miss you and wonder when you might stop in and see me. I hope I'm not bothering you." I feel it was a huge breakthrough for us as I told him during the week he stayed with me to just type a Y or N to my questions...

Jean, I see in your subject line that you know the Bible, so I am guessing you know some hymns too. Here's the lyrics to an old hymn that really speaks to me. My sister and I used to sing this one together for special music at church when we were teens:

"Oh Joy, that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to Thee.
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be!"

I appreciate your friendship and it means a lot to know that you guys all held your breath for me as I faced some of my own personal pain. I'm back and feeling strong again. My heart is big and strong and throbbing peacefully in my chest again.

Hope all is well with you too.
hugs.

Sandi,
Thanks for the good report. Our prayers were certainly with you.
Pretty cool about Lamb Chop!
That hymn is beautiful. Idon't think I've ever it before. Do you know the name?
Hugs!
Jeanie

I was amazed that I remembered the verse I did! But, I didn't remember the title, so I did a google search...Put in the words, "lyrics: oh joy that seekest me through pain"

Surprisingly, I got dozens of places to go, here's one:

O Love That Will Not Let Me Go
Words: George Matheson Music: Christopher Miner

1. O Love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.

2. O light that followest all my way,
I yeild my flickering torch to thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in thy sunshine's blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.

3. O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.

4. O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from thee;
I lay in dust life's glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be.

DUH! I know that one! However, we've been in a contemporary worship service for about 10 years now & I've forgotten many of my beloved hymns. I know this one, now that I see the first stanza.

It is very beautiful and I am so glad that you made it thru this trying time with a smile from LC. The memories will always be there and there will always be some heart soreness. Just keep remembering the good times. I got my gardners catalogs and started smiling when I saw all the tomatoes! What a rainbow I could plant for dad, you and me!