Friday already

Well, sort of same old same old. I did find out Tues that I need a root canal which is scheduled for the 28th. I think I'm living in a "fixer upper". Or maybe it's even a Flip this House body. I was so disappointed that I needed to follow up on another body issue. Oh, yes...I slid on the mud at church Thursday evening and down I went again. I was one muddy lady. So...sat in my choir robe during choir until my pants dried and I could scrape most of it off. What a surprise. Didn't do the shoulder much good but I think I'm over that spill already. What next...don't know. There will be something I'm sure. Bell practice was great fun again. And I worked on the desk at church three days this week. I much prefer two or maybe even one. It's always an interesting place but more like work then not. I did spend some time serfing the net looking for information on Eldoret Kenya. Things heated up again. Not as many killed and it's more like kids roaming around with the police shooting guns. Lots of roadblocks. Hopefully the next week will be better. We are in for below zero weather this weekend.

Monday

It's cold in Indianapolis. What does one expect on January 14th. I'm working at the church desk today filling in for Chuck. I thouoght it would be crazy but it's as quiet as most Fridays. That's very quiet. I played with quilt patches yesterday. It kept me from going completely crazy watching the Colts loose. What a team. They have been exciting to watch. I'm moving on to the Giants now with little Eli. I think Green Bay will beat them. I cleaned up the sewing room this morning only to probably mess it up later in the week. I love my sewing machine. Oral surgeon tomorrow. What a bummer. I hope the little blister on my gum just is something really minor. I've had enough major in the last six months. It's time for someone else to carry on.

Tough

I'm getting tougher in my old age. The dentist yesterday filled a tooth and decided I need to see another oral surgeon for a sick tooth. This could be related to the neck surgery since the tooth is on the same side and a not uncommon thing to happen I am finding out. I call this another bummer. The shoulder is a bit better but I don't think I'm out of the woods on that one. Having one shoulder repaired and knowing the difficulty in recovery is the second bummer. But...I will not let it go untreated if it doesn't improve.

Wed. Great time at the fabric store finding some great fabric for bibs. Jacob and JB might even become bib wearers. The clerk was surprised I didn't find any material on sale. Well, I just couldn't resist these three fabrics and the Michigan kids will soon see why. I cut bibs last night and sewed this morning till 8:00. More to do this afternoon. What fun. Bell practice was a hoot. It's so much fun being with friends who have the ability to have fun. Thursday was Soup Kitchen with a bunch of folks coming through the line. Thursday afternoon was dentist time and then on to Goodwill. My bargin basement. Found some stuff to wear in Mexico. Paid 11 bucks for three tops and a pair of summer pants. Fewer bucks then the new fabric. It just makes me laugh. Choir practice was last night. Today is volunteering at the front desk and then on to the sewing machine.

The telephone has kept me quite busy today. Most Fridays are not like that.

Kenya continues to be a hot bed of activity. It's a long road to peace there.

Wednesday

There are so many ups and downs happening in Kenya right now. The story still evolves and will probably continue in the weeks and probably months ahead. It's such a rest for the mind when thinking about other things. I do that from time to time. I was given boxes of already cut quilting fabric. Such fun. I've used a bunch already just sewing and sewing and making pretty patterns. And I have another bib order to fill. I'll try to get on that this afternoon. That's more relaxation for the brain.

Yesterday was a huge work day at church. Christmas is back in the box. What a relief. We did extra cleaning up and while working in one room, I got my feet all tangled up in cushions that are a part of a prayer kneeler. That took me right down face first on the carpet not in the kneeling position. The sad part of this is that I landed on my almost good shoulder and now it's my very bad shoulder. I am so dissapointed this happened. I know what a rotater cuff injury is and I think I have a new one. It feels exactly like the right shoulder before it was fixed. I can just hear one of my mom's speeches about slowing down and being more careful. I'm staying on top of this one. I've heard from JB already about safety concerns. I guess that's my mother coming through in a voice that is alive.

I'm working at the church desk this morning. It's a dull, gray, rainy day in Carmel.

Monday Evening

Well, this has been the end of one emotional week. The prayer service at church was attended by over 400 people, many of them being Kenyans living in Indianapolis. It was a wonderful time of listening to African drumming, hearing the latest reports, the Kenyans singing their national anthem and being with people who have common interests in Kenya. It would appear at this point that Kenya is turning the corner coming back to some sense of a new normal. Many people have left the Eldoret area, homes have been burned and people are still living in Church courtyards and the IU compound for safety or a roof over their heads. The AMPATH program is being evaluated and recreated to meet the challenges of fewer workers, fewer patients but people are beginning to trickle in to the clinic sites for treatment. The Kenyan spirit is coming back to life. Travel is still dangerous but where safety is a lesser issue, there is an attempt to get medicine and food to some of 19 clinic sites in western Kenya. It is a challenging task that the Kenyans will achieve by means of a determined spirit. The story is that Humpty Dumpty could not be put together by all the Kings Horses and men but the Kenyans will get the job done.

Kenya continues to be on my mind.

It's been a tough week with emotions stretching from here to there. Some days the word from our Kenyan friends is better than others. What one sees in the paper and on line is only part of the story. The other stories come from the people themselves. Homes and churches are burned, food is scarce, the medical support is weakening, one reason being that people in that field are fleeing for their lives. The number of casulties is under reported. Clinics are closed.

This Sunday afternoon our church is hosting a prayer service for Kenya. It promises to be a very large gathering of folks in the central Indiana area with people coming from neighboring states as well. So at 4 pm if you are a reader of the blog, join us where ever you are remembering Kenya, praying for energy to stay the course for the Mamlins as well as those Kenyans who work with them. Include in your prayers those who are decision makers in the government. It's been a mindful week.

Kenya on my mind.

That is certainly the case these past days. The election is causing turmoil throughout the country with the wealthy tribe again claiming the win with miss counted votes. Democracy is a difficult thing to achieve. The American's in Eldoret have all been evacuated from the country with the exception of Joe and Sarah Ellen Mamlin. They chose to stay and the word is that they are in a secure place. I don't know what that really means. They were in the country during the 1992 election which was similar so with that experience along with many, many other experiences, I feel confident that they know when to stay and when to leave. This is not a good thing. I am receiving some news by typing New York Times Africa in the search line. Sarah Ellen e-mailed me last Thursday stating that life would become very difficult very soon because of miss handling of votes along with tribal feelings. And it has. The stores are closed and people are staying in their homes. Food is very scarce and bread prices have tripled. People accustom to shopping daily for food are facing the reality that shops are no longer open. They also are locking themselves in their homes. Yes...Kenya is on my mind.