Destiny and Frank. 

Still a whirlwind of activity

You would think that with the Spring Program and the MCDS Worship Team tour finished I would be getting to take it easier. Not yet. Monday after school I left immediately to pick Destiny up from the babysitter so we could go to Lebanon to return the mics we rented from Crown Magnetics. I came back to catch the last half hour of our staff meeting. I went to the bank, then to Dick's parents for a quick look at the new baby girl that was born a few weeks ago to Dick's nephew Jon Stauffer and his wife Jen. They were in PA for a few days and were eating supper at Grandpas that evening. From there we went home just long enough for me to cook a quick supper, then head off to church for a planning meeting for VBS. I'm always in charge of the music and drama for that.

Today after school I had to rush home to get Destiny dressed and combed for her final rehearsal for tomorrow night's New Line Revue show at Warwick High School. We were there until 6:30. We had hot dogs for supper that Dick made on the grill. This evening I had to get the laundry started, the sink was in desperate need of attention again, I needed to arrange a sax piece for 8th grade graduation, wash Destiny's hair... And we watched the second to last episode of American Idol while I sorted the laundry and got it started. We have disagreement in the family this year. Lisa, Dick, and I really like Taylor Hicks, Jeremy can't stand him. He's proud that at least my sister Rose and her family agree with him. I do like Katherine McPhee too, and I do think she has a better voice than Taylor's. But I just love Taylor's enthusiasm.

I found out last evening that I'm going to Florida in two weeks! George is going away for a few days on a business trip, so Lisa got tickets for Destiny and I to come down while he's away. We'll fly down late Monday evening, the 5th of June, and return Friday evening, the 9th. I feel sorry for Dick, but his vacation days are so limited. We'll probably take a few of his vacation days to go down for a long weekend in August like we usually do. I just love being a teacher and having the summers off. I feel very, very fortunate.

A beautiful Sunday

We had a beautiful time in the presence of the Lord at Grace this morning. The MCDS Worship Team did a fine job of setting the atmosphere for His presence. I know everyone there was touched. We had fellowship meal afterward. It was an amazing spread of food - way more than enough, even though we had so many extra people.

This evening we attended Christine Groff's wedding. Christine and her parents, Don and Helen Groff, and her sister Michelle were part of our church family for many years and we were very close. Christine and Michelle played flute and clarinet on my worship team. The wedding was held at the Willow Valley chapel where Lisa's wedding was, and the reception was in Willow Valley's Palm Court, also just like Lisa's. So it seemed very nostalgic to us. We had fun sitting at the reception with Dick's neice Laura Stauffer and her fiance Mark Raifsnyder. They are getting married in July. Laura just graduated from Millersville, Summa cum Laude! We're proud to be related to her!

Mr. and Mrs. Andrew and Christine Letch. 

The bridal party.  

Andrew and Christine with their parents. 

Andrew's brother, giving the toast. 

Christine complained that her dress was so tight she couldn't breathe, yawn, sneeze, or even burp!! 

Christine and Andrew's first dance as husband and wife. 

I am so blessed.

I want to share two other blessings I received on Friday. Bev Hosler, the mother of one of my 8th grade girls, brought a beautiful flower arrangement to school for me. She has been doing this for me for YEARS, usually at Christmas, but the last year or so, also in the Spring. Now her youngest is graduating from our school, and I want to publicly thank her for honoring me in this way. I probably have a picture of every one she ever gave me! Each one was absolutely beautiful, something I would never spend the money on for myself. Thank you, thank you, Bev!

Also, the last few years, our first grade teacher, Danelle Michael, has been bringing me a meal to take home for supper on program day. It's usually one of her delicious cream soups, a salad, and a dessert. Her soups are the ultimate comfort food on a busy day, and there is no way I can thank her enough for blessing me in this way.

Thank you, Bev Hosler! 

A Perfectly Lazy Day

I had a very laid back kind of day for a change. I caught up on bookwork this morning, then got myself and Destiny ready. Dick took her to Warwick High School for her first rehearsal for next week's show. It will be a huge production. Her little beginner dance class will only be a small part of it. The show is free, if anyone is interested - Wednesday, May 24, 6:30 p.m. at the Warwick High School gym.

While they were there, I went to Karen Stoner's house for a massage - my very first one ever. Karen has been going to massage school this entire year and will graduate in June. After the program last evening she came up to me and said, "Would that body like a massage?" Wow, she is really good. I was so relaxed I actually fell asleep while she was massaging my back!

As if that wasn't enough relaxing for one day, I came home and took a two-hour nap this afternoon! I slept so hard it took me a couple of hours to wake up!! The down side is, I didn't get groceries until late this evening, and I still have a messy sink and a messy house. I'll probably be up a while working on that.

Tomorrow morning the MCDS Worship Team will be at our church. It is our last engagement! I always love having them at Grace. It actually means that I have had much less work this week to prepare for Sunday morning, so it worked out really well to be having them at Grace the Sunday after my big program week.

Thanks for the prayers!

Every prayer that anyone prayed for me this week was mightily answered. Almost everything went smoothly today, from beginning to end. Dick took a vacation day so he could be at school this morning for our final rehearsal, then our afternoon program, and of course our evening program. He always runs the sound. The most amazing thing of all is that my leg felt amazingly fine. I directed from a chair for every rehearsal this week, and fully expected to direct the program from a chair today. But after rehearsing with the first two groups this morning, I decided I really felt good enough to stand. In fact I realized that I was able to walk almost normally. I told the Middle School chorus, "I'm getting rid of this chair. I think I'm almost good enough to dance!" One of my 8th grade boys just rolled his eyes!

As usual, I am exhausted, and my feet feel like I'm walking right on my bones, but I am very, very happy. Thank you, Lord, for being faithful and giving me the strength to make it through this Spring season, this past week, and now this another program day. Amen.

A small section of Mass Chorus at this evening's program. (Dick was trying to get Destiny's picture - she's in the yellow dress and white shawl.) 

Middle School chorus's final rehearsal this morning. 

Last hugs with Jeremy on Thursday morning.  

Our last azalea. 

Pictures from our Mother's Day meal at El Serrano's

I finally got the pictures developed from Frank's disposable camera that I used on Sunday when we ate at El Serrano's for Mother's Day. Wow, I'm glad for my digital camera after seeing these pathetic pictures!

Dick and I, waiting in the beautiful porch area. 

Frank and Destiny.