MOWs

Taking a break today from our vacation pictures.  For stories that just have to be told.  So they are not forgotten.

We went back to MOWs today.  The first time in about 3 weeks.  Of course our prayer was to be a blessing to all those we serve.  Of course, the blessing was to us.  I just think it is so funny how God works that way.

Anyway, it was a beautiful day and I was feeling sassy, so we decided it was time to let EG deliver meals.  The kids all knew that all our clients would say "Awww, isn't she cute."  And she took her job very seriously.  She had to carry one of the food containers and she had no problem whatsoever handing them over to the clients.  She really was cute!  Of course, when it was the other kids' turn to deliver she would fuss.  We are still working on the taking turns thing.

It was good to be back.  And many of the clients were very happy to see us.  They love, love, love seeing the kids.

One of our favorite client's is an elderly woman who is from England.  Her house is like a picture of a wonderful English poem.  She has an English Garden surrounding her house, with birds and butterflies.  And as the seasons change, so do the many flowers.  It is just like a painting on a teacup!

When you step inside, their is art work and books and always classical music playing.  Very loudly.  Large picture windows with vines growing along them.  Then she speaks in her British accent and you feel like you have traveled back in time.  It is like entering another country.  So refined and peaceful and lovely.  (It is how I envision my life to be someday.)

Well, it turns out, our little lady friend with the British accent has written a book and it was just recently published.  I can't tell you how thrilled I was to hear that!  So many times, if I had had more time, I would have loved to just sit down and chat with her.  All while drinking a cup of tea.  Now I get to hear her life story in just a little bit different form.  The name of her book is England and Another Shore:  A Life.  It turns out she was in the Women's Royal Naval Service, W.R.N.S. and was a radio technician.  Her job was to listen to German U-boat communications.

She married an American musician and was widowed very young with 3 small boys.  She went to FSU and studied for her Ph D in Humanities.   I encourage all of you to look for her book an Amazon.  It is available in paperback and Kindle.  I told her I could not wait to order it!  She informed me that the Kindle version was cheaper, but it is just one of those books I will always want on my shelves.

I was so, so excited for her.  But, to be honest, I was not all that surprised she had written a book.  She just seems like such an interesting person.  Just full of stories to share.

Then, as we were delivering to our last stop, another one of our "little lady friends" we just adore,  informed me that today, was going to be her 99th birthday!!  You had to about pick NG and I up off the floor.  I would never, in a million years, have guessed she was that age.  She is quick witted, loves a good conversation and is totally mobile and lives alone!  We chatted with her for quite some time.  She mentioned that today her son was going to take her out for fish some place for lunch.  I gave her a hug and wished her a great Happy Birthday and told her I would bake her something next week in honor of such an occasion.

We have been so blessed by each and every one of our clients, in so many different ways.  We have developed relationships with almost everyone of them.  There have been times when I thought it was time to move on.  But, honestly, I can't imagine not seeing them regularly.  To know what is going on with them, to receive their wisdom (and great stories), to be able to minister and pray for those who need it.

Thank you, Lord, for showing, guiding us to this wonderful, amazing ministry.  For them and for us . . .

Takin' A Break

Last week as we were rushing around on Wednesday (MOWs and our tutoring), hubby politely suggested we take a break from MOWs.

We have been doing it for well over a year. I think it might even be close to two. Anyway, we needed a break. It has been really hot for all of us and hard on EG. She is all two and is potty training which can make things a little unpleasant sitting in a car seat for over two hours. And she is still too young to come with me to the doors.

Plus, sometimes the needs and prayer requests of our clients weigh on me. In most cases we do what we can. But, you know.

So, instead of just quitting, which I am not sure I want to or should do, we just decided to take the month of August off.

Maybe when we start back, it won't be so hot . . .

So EG

On the way home from MOWs today EG yells: "I hate this stinkin' carseat!!"

After 2 hours of delivering meals in 100 degree weather, I had to agree with her . . .

MOWs Clients

Because we deliver, every week, to the same clients now, we really are beginning to develop a friendship with them. In fact, two weeks ago, when at the last minute, we were not able to do our route most of them ask where we had been.

Mr. W is a little leprechaun looking man. He is always in a good mood. But, doesn't really need anybody to talk to. He is always very pleasant, though. I think he might have been a professor. His carport and house are full of books. Plus, he has a school parking sticker on his car.

Mrs. H is in her 90s and has no one, really. She has problems with one of her eyes because of one to many surgeries. But, she is always very sweet. One time she wasn't feeling well and I asked her if she had someone she could call if she needed to. She said she didn't. I knew that MOWs would deliver to her the next day, but I worried about her all night long.

Mr. E just got out of the hospital, I think. He was absent for some time from our route and showed back up today. But, a home health care worker came to the door instead. The last time we brought his meal, he had tadpoles growing and fish, in a cooler on his porch. They weren't there today. The kids were a little disappointed not to see them.

Mrs. M has her son come to the door to get her meal. We have only met her once. Maybe twice.

Mrs. M was a great painter. Her living room is filled with them. The kids' favorite is one she did of a rose. It really is good. And she just loves to visit, especially with the kids. We talk about all kinds of things. She never had any children. And, just like many of the others, her husband passed away a number of years ago. She is in a wheelchair but seems very active. She has shared with us that her sister is moving to Florida. And she seems very happy about that.

Mr. F was shot down twice in WWII. He was in the Death March. He has told me several times he went into the camp at 160lbs and came out 90lbs. He loves to talk with us and has invited us, numerous times, to come in and visit. He has lots of WWII memorabilia that he would love to share with us and he says he loves kids. But, because of EG I have had to pass. Maybe one day we will just hang out in his front yard. He has four children as well. Of course, all but one are retired!

Mr. N is probably every one's favorite. He absolutely adores the kids. And loves to see them smile. We have talked about religion and politics and days gone by. We probably spend the most time with him. Today we changed his clocks for him and met his son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter. His house, which is really neat, is heated by a wood burning stove. It also has real wood paneling, which looks pretty sharp.

Mrs. W is new. We have only visited her house three times. She seems very nice as well.

The last place we deliver is Mr and Mrs K. She is a very sweet elderly lady. And most every time we are there, her husband is just sitting in a rocking chair combing his hair. They don't drink the milk that is provided so we make an effort to bring them juice. I ask her every week if there is anything I can do for them and every week she says me no. Although sometimes I feel that there is.

I don't know how long we will be doing this. We take it week by week. I do know this, though, I am glad that we have the opportunity to visit with them and they are truly becoming friends . . .

Meals on Wheels

We have officially adopted a weekly route. On Wednesdays. My original intention was to only do one twice a month, but after talking with the coordinator, she gave me the impression it is a whole lot easier to have one person assigned to a route once a week. Which, from a coordinating stand point makes sense. Although, I wasn't really sure we were ready for that commitment.

I asked her if we could try it out for a week or so before we made a decision. And she totally understood. So, we made it one week. Then the following week we had VBS and then the following week we had that really horrible stomach bug. But they were very accommodating and understood that life can be unexpected. (To say the least.) So, we have managed to make it two weeks in a row, now. And I think we really love it!

It only takes us about an hour (including the weekly frozen meals we drop off near the house.) The clients are super. We are learning which ones like to chat and which ones just really want their meals. Although every single person is really, really appreciative.

It has been a great opportunity for the kids to learn to listen and smile and answer in such a way so as others can hear and understand them. LM confessed yesterday that it is hard to hear and understand some of the people. I had to agree. I have a bad habit, sometimes, of not concentrating on what other people are saying. So, I told her it was a good lesson (for both of us) to really concentrate on some one's mouth and face while they are speaking to us. It helps to listen and understand what they are saying.

We will see what the school year brings. If it gets a little much for us, we have a friend who is interested in helping us out occasionally or possibly every other week. But, I think we are going to try real hard to make it work. . .

Meals on Wheels

For about four months now we have been a substitute Meals on Wheels volunteer. The director calls us every week and gives us some options for routes that are available. It works out for us because we can check our schedule and if the day works for us we do it and if we have something else to do that day, she will usually call back with alternate dates that are available.

We try to get routes close to the house. The director has been very accommodating. She called last week with an every week option for us. There is an elderly man who lives about 7 minutes from here. He is recently out of the hospital and has requested to get 5 frozen meals once a week. The MOW director asked me if we would be interested in bringing him his meals once a week. We would just have to pick them up the same time, the same day, every week. It could be whenever was convenient for us and him.

I thought that sounded great! Every Monday after school we run to Elder Care Services and pick up 5 frozen meals. We then bring them to his house. This past Monday was the first time. A young lady answered the door and she seemed a little surprised but very appreciative. We did not get to meet him this time.

The kids liked the neighborhood he lives in. It was down a dirt road filled with potholes. And the day we went it was drizzling. I ran up to the house myself the first time but told them from now on they can take turns going with me. Eventually I would like them to take the meals to the door themselves.

We have a favorite route. The only one we have done more than once. It is G5 and I told the director when G5 needs a substitute we would still love to do that route as well. It is funny how nervous I was the first day. Now, it is just a part of what we do. The clients are so appreciative and I know it is a blessing to them. But, it has become such a blessing to us . . .

A Good Day

Yesterday was a good day. It started with Little Mama joining me during my quiet time. I put my writing aside and had her lay her head in my lap. We just sat there, together, quietly.

The quiet didn't last long ;) We started out our day by flying solo for Meals on Wheels (usually my MIL helps us out.) And met some very sweet elderly people. It is amazing to me the life that some of these older folks have had. One lady talked with me and Boop for at least 20 minutes. She was totally alone. Her husband had passed away on Christmas Eve (his favorite holiday) nine years ago. She is 86 years old and was in the process of pulling out and putting up her Christmas decorations. Not for anybody else but herself (and because she knew her husband would like it. :) She had buried parents, siblings a spouse and children. But, she kept raising her hand to God saying she knew she was here for a purpose. Amazing!

After our route ended, which happened to be right by one of our neighborhood parks, Little Mama asked if we could go play. We had about an hour or so before lunchtime so off we went to the park. The big kids had a great time on the monkey bars and the really big slides. Boop, EG and I swung on the bench swing.

EG hasn't been to the park since she could walk so that was really very exciting! I kept her in the stroller as long as I could and then let her run wild! She loved watching the big kids come town the tunnel slide. Little Mama took time to slide down the little slide with her. I don't know who enjoyed it more! We met a man with a little dog that Nature Girl loved. Then we took a walk on the path that led by the lake that is slowly starting to fill up again (after the sink hole emptied it.)

The day ended with Nature Girl joining me on the couch at about 10:45 to watch the Packer game. Even though it was very late, it was a real joy to spend some quality time with NG.

Our good day has continued into today. This morning we watched "White Christmas" while making Christmas cards. I could get use to this being on a school break . . .