Cactus Flower

  I think I missed March.  I'm not really sure where it went.  Perhaps it came in like a lamb and left like a lion?   Anyhooo, here's a new video letter from Gramma Michele for her grandkiddos and her one grandcat. I'm a-counting the days until I get to hug each one again.  Ok, it I may have to build back up again before I hug the cat.  Somebody look for good coupons on cat treats for bribes. Today makes 67 before we arrive!

People ask me all the time here in Brazil and even there in the USA, when are you retiring to be with your grandchildren?  Goodness, what a loaded question?  If I say, Never, people will think I don't even love or care about my three grandbabes and one grandcat.  If I say, tomorrow, some will think my missionary call is rather vague and limited. What a toss-up?  Do I love my babes and my stateside grandcat?  Well, yes!  What sort of a horrid question is that!  Do I think about them and pray for them every day?  Yup!  Would I like to live next-door and enjoy their presence on a regular basis?  You bet!  Even the cat! So when are you going?  Haha!  When my work in Brazil is done, that's going to be my new answer.   In the mean time, I pray.  I write real letters.  I send gifts.  I make short trips.  I send little messages.  I make video letters.  I plan for furloughs.  But I can't...

I've been working for several months on an original quilt for my next grandchild.  All along the way I've asked my sweet daughter-in-law about her wishes and plans for her next nursery. It took a while to make decisions and to go to the big city to hunt for good cloth.  One piece even was ordered from the USA and had to be waited upon.  But after months of planning and working, the decisions began to come together in an organized manner. With each step of the process, I have prayed for the little one to come... The pattern of a basic windmill and sailboat for the quilt blocks is not a new one, but the layout is.  With each stitch I pray and ask God to bring this little life to birth safely and with good health.  Also I pray for his future, that he might be a fine Christian young man. The little quilt won't be perfect.  I've ripped out seams, shed tears and even thought I'd broken my sewing machine at one point.  But I can pray as I work that our little...

  Gramma Michele hasn't met this little cousin of our two grandchildren yet, but I just get teary-eyed thinking about him.  Today he's having surgery to fix a cleft palate and his little ear tubes.   If you see this today, say a big prayer for a little fellow.  Just call him Baby K.  God knows the rest.   Pray for complete recovery and for those who are caring for him these days. My umbrella prayer says that God is Strong.  The verse I chose is the first part of Genesis 18:14 - Is there any thing too dificult for God?  My answer - There is not!   May God allow this little one to grow up loved and adored.  May God bring him to salvation on just the right day.  May he be healthy and recover quickly from this surgery.   Thank you, God.   Gramma Michele