"The Elephant Diet" Day # 73 Five Things

The sun is setting. The fire in the woodstove is heating up and I am curled up under a blanket with a cup of hot tea sitting next to me. The cats are settled in for their evening naps.

I have a long list of things to do yet, but it's been another busy week and I'm feeling rather tired tonight. Taxes, bills, bookwork, starting fires in the shop and in the house to keep us warm since Tom is unable to do much of anything with both of his hands not functioning very well, details for upcoming bookings in NY and CO that needed tending to and doing all the regular things that need done in the course of a week, plus 20 hours at the church.

Is it Friday yet?

I sent another check today toward the recording of the CD. They will be doing 3 songs next week at       Sunset Blvd. Studio.  I'll be able to Skype so I can see and hear what they are doing.

I also made connection with a creative person who is willing to sit down with me and help me come up with ideas for a video about the show.  Progress continues.

I close with 5 things I am grateful for today.

1.  Someone who came to help Tom in his welding shop.  What a blessing!
2.  Chocolate ice cream for dessert tonight with caramel and pecans.
3.  Talking to my mother on the phone tonight.  I haven't been able to reach her all week.  Nice to finally connect.
4.  A night at home by myself.
5.  Hot tea.

I love NY!

What an amazing trip to NY I had this weekend.   

Even though the toilet in the Albany, NY airport kept automatically flushing before I even had a chance to really lock the door and though it kept spraying me from across the stall and I ended up deserting it and deciding I could wait until I got to my hotel to use the bathroom, and even though my hairspray can (which I had in a plastic bag for protection) exploded in my suitcase and spotted a brand new outfit I intended to wear for the weekend, which my host so kindly took to the dry cleaners for me and learned that they couldn't easily get the spots out in the time we needed it, so her daughter ended up taking it home and working on it for me so I could have it Sunday, and even though I arrived home late Sunday night in Harrisburg safe and some-what sound, my luggage is still out there somewhere between Philadelphia and Harrisburg. But all in all, I had an AMAZING weekend.  

It was an incredible experience to lead 800 + women in worship.  They were such a responsive group and I was so touched by their worship.  Carol Kent moved me to tears, as she always does, with her incredible heart-wrenching story and how she has learned to choose hope and joy in spite of those circumstances.  

As far as we know at least 20 women gave their lives to Christ on Saturday and so many were specifically touched by God in a special way. 

I got to stay over for the Sunday morning services at the Loudonville Community Church and co-lead with their worship team (pictured above).  What a wonderful experience that was to finish off the weekend.  They have a great worship band with the basic rhythm section, but also a beautiful addition of flute and violin.

My heart is overwhelmed by the opportunities I have been given to share Him through music with people all over this country.   "I Love NY" as the T-shirts say.  : )

Oh, and by the way - I found a toilet in the Albany Airport on my way home that doesn't spray continuously.   Nice end to my trip!