Somewhat Normal Again!

After our daughter and  family returned to Florida our daily schedule has returned pretty much to what it had been.......busy! We were so blessed to have them here and enjoyed taking them to some of the homes we work with. They blessed a few with donations of paint, rent, and gifts for Christmas. We've been trying to help with the painting at Operation Rescue now while the kids are out of school. I did find out that some of the muscles used in painting the corners where the wall meets the ceiling are muscles that don't get used every day, 'cause the left arm was really tired and stiff. Sheryl had the opportunity to go along with one of the directors of another home to help purchase Christmas gifts for approx. 40 of the older children at the home with the donation  that was given to them. She had a blast, and that should get rid of some of the shopping fever!
Another muscle stretcher was experienced this week when I went golfing at a local country club with a few friends. It was the first time that I had gone since leaving Pa. close to two years ago. Here's the whole story...started with 9,7,9, forget a few in between but had 4 pars to finish out the front nine. A 96! at least it was under 100...was good enough to whip the others I played with. It was a gorgeous day and that also makes it enjoyable.
Sheryl has been baking...baking...and baking some more. It's Christmas and everyone must have cookies, fancy breads and other goodies. I do get to taste, well maybe a few before they're all given away. Sheryl had promised to bake cookies at one of the homes with 8 girls, so on Thursday we went across the city to bake. The oven wasn't quite right but the flavor of the finished product was perfect. The girls enjoyed it, and all of us that went along did too.
For Christmas we will be going to Jacksonville to be with all the grandchildren. Rob and Jenelle have decided again that we could all come there for Christmas. Nate and Angie will be coming down from Pa. for the week and Sheryl and I will fly over to be there also. I wonder who will get the most attention from Grandpa....and Grandma. Following the holidays we will be getting into our team season with the first team arriving Jan 17th. That's always an exciting time to bless the orphanages with teams doing work projects and for us to enjoy lerning to know others that have big hearts for the children of Guatemala. Last night ABC News did a special report on the malnutrition among the children in Guatemala, stating that 50% of the children are under size in stature and under nourished. Our food distribution to the homes definately helps to build strong bones and healthy bodies for the children that receive it. Thanks for your donations that make it possible to continue purchasing the beans, rice, maseca, sugar and milk which we deliver. Pray that the year end giving to ORI will be abundant. We did have to reduce slightly the quantitys that have been given to each home in December due to the lack of funding. They are so dependent upon our food to them and we would even love to increase the number of homes this year since there are always other homes that hear of our donations and would like also to recieve the food donation. It's hard, but at this moment we just have to say no.
Here's the link to the ABC report, click on it.
Link to see ABC News report