Linda, I hope your leg soon heals too. Glad you got to the retreat alright. May your DH be fully recovered soon too

Judith and 1crazydog thank you for praying. Praying for you both too.

Still pretty ordinary and spending lots of time just resting.

We have had good sessions today at the retreat. The main topic was Grace in Your Marriage. I have notes I need to review and apply to our marriage.

We made it back to the city safely. The weather was beautiful for traveling - not too hot or cold. We ate with some friends we have known for many years on our way home. It was so fun to just laugh and enjoy each other's company.

It was so nice to sleep in my own bed last night. A hotel bed in a unfamiliar environment does not make it easy for me to relax. I even slept longer than I expected so I feel well rested.

I donated blood today. The blood donation people have been calling me every week to beg me to give due to the blood shortage. I am a person who is called a "universal donor". (My blood can be given to anyone in an emergency.) Last week they called and I told them I was donating this week and they called again this morning. I told them I was donating in a few hours. They need to get their books straight so they stop calling when I have already signed up. At least they are persistant. 😁

After donating I stopped at a used clothing store and found what I had been looking for in the regular stores but did not want to spend that much money. I paid $7 for two items that are really in good condition. I like to shop at these stores because they support the disabled by hiring them.

Linda, how ful to have a special time with hubby and then with friends! I'm so glad you had a nice time after all your medical treatments. 💗

Judith, how are you doing? Praying for you.

Marilyn such a pretty butterfly.

I am feeling maybe 5% better today so still battling to get on top of asthma and bronchitis. It's a real energy stealer.

We are working on apples today again. The house smells wonderful but it is a lot of work. I am so grateful for a bountyful crop even if I am so tired of looking at apples right now.

We are taking a meal to a friend who just got out of the hospital after having Covid. She was in an induced coma for over a week but is doing well now. She does not like fruit or vegetables so this meal was hard to think what to make. I am making chicken pot pie which she did say she could eat. I have eaten at her house multiple times. She is a wonderful cook but I did not realize that she did not like what she cooked. I had wondered why she would send lots of food home with me. Now I know that she did not like them.

It rained quite a bit last night and the leaves are coming down from the trees quickly. We will have to let them dry out some before we rake them. We will put some on our flower beds to keep them warm over the winter. My husband also runs the mower over them to help mulch the grass.

What a beautiful surprise! I am glad you recieved encouragement from you Pastor. We all need that in our lives but you especially with the last 2 years of health issues. We continue to pray for strength and faith during this journey.

We traveled today accross the mountain. We are in our quiet "sanctuary" which is nice after a month in a busy household with 2 dogs, both vying for attention from me. I do enjoy being with the grandkids, dogs and family but once in a while I just need a little peace and quiet - which is what we have here in our retirement home.

We had some people staying at this house while we were gone. People from the church sometimes have family in town but do not have space to have them stay at their house so we offer our house while we are gone for family and friends to stay here. It keeps the house looking like it is not abandoned to outsiders and it is a belessing to be able to serve in this way.

We found out yesterday that someone at the marriage retreat had Co-vid and did not know it. They left immediately when they realized that they had a positive test. So far I have heard of 5 people who were exposed who are now testing positive. They do not seem to have severe symptons presently which I am so glad about. One person was the one we had lunch with after the retreat and we hugged good-bye. Since we had Co-vid so recently, we are not concerned that we will get it again. My doctor said my body is in "fighting mode" from already having it so not to worry about getting a booster for at least 3 months. If we do, we could have more severe side effects than if we let our bodies settle down a bit so it does not react as much.

Today was an exciting day at church. After the service we had a campus student who was baptized in the river and made Jesus Lord of his life. He had the chance to use a hot tub but he chose to be baptized in the river. They said the water was pretty cold and it will be a memory for him to cherish for the rest of his life.

A lot of the leaves are off of the trees now in our area. I used to feel sad to see the leaves go and the trees be so bare but someone said that this is the time the trees get to rest after working so hard during the summer. It is not a sad time for them to loose their leaves but a time for them to rejoyce that they are being rewarded for their hard work by a rest period where they can regain their strength so they can be their best for the Spring. That has helped me not feel depressed with the coming of Fall.

Today has been a hard day emotionally. I am trying to get back to gratefulness which will set me on a positive note. This month, expecially, is a month dedicated to being thankful. I am thankful that Jesus is with me and can help me through my frustrations which as so small compared to what others are enduring.

Tonight I am going to a birthday party for our minister's wife. Getting with friends is always encouraging. I hope we can make her feel very special.

Today is a much better day for me. Going to the birthday party forced me to be more outgoing and to think about others which was what I needed. My husband and I were laughing about yesterday this morning. It did not seem so funny at the time yesterday but now I see how inward focused it was and how God answered by blessing me with friends who care. Thank-you Judith for your encouragement.

Our bible study was canceled today because the leader has co-vid. At the marriage retreat, one person was not aware that they were positive while attending and now I have heard that 21 people who were there have gotten a positive test. Most are not very sick but still very tired and achy. I was hoping the virus had gotten less but obviously it still has a big hold in our area.