Happy New Year

Hope everyone had a good Christmas.

I am enjoying some free time in Mesa, AZ. I am at an RV resort that is beautiful and has lots to offer in the way of activities. So I decided to treat myself for a month and enjoy the sunshine. Alas, yesterday there were some snowflakes in the area and now there is record breaking cold. But that's just for two days. The week before Christmas was in the 70's and I was in the pool daily. It'll be warm again.

I left Arizona Reservation Ministries after about six weeks of being there. That was hard. I enjoyed the work and people immensely. Being on the Bus everyday helping with children's ministries, filling and delivering 300 stockings to children on the San Carlos Apache Reservation was great. I was also able to be a part of the children's Christmas party, attend a fantastic performance in Phoenix with the older children, and was invited to the staff party. The work that is done by ARM must truly please God. I was blessed to be a part of it.

Believe it or not, I almost traded in the Jambo, but couldn't do it. It was tempting and I may someday upgrade.

This year I did 24 weeks of volunteering in 11 states. What a year!!

Many blessings to you all.

Globe continued

I returned here after a good week's visit to Wisconsin for Thanksgiving.

Then it was back to work. I, as well as other volunteers, spent lots of time sorting the items for the huge Christmas stockings that would be distributed to the 'Bus' kids. I even got included in a shopping trip to the 'valley' to buy what needed items remained. (The 'valley' is the Phoenix area that is an hour and a half away.) Gotta love a mission trip that allows you to use their money to go shopping. It was fun picking out all the toys.

Stuffing the stockings was a day-long activity for a large group of us. We filled 200 child-specific stockings and then 100 generic ones. The room filled with these full stockings.

During the week I sorted blankets as they came in from people all across the country. These, too, would be distributed. Every afternoon I joined the team on the Bus to help with the lesson and activities. This past week we distributed the 300 stockings and blankets to the smiling kids. Fun!!

I am still pestered by critters around the RV. This time it's the Javelinas- wild pigs!! They scared me one night as I walked back. I guess I must of scared them more, because their 'calling cards' are all around.

The weather's continued to be warm and sunny with gorgeous sunsets- good for the disposition. Can't say I miss driving in or shoveling the stuff that's back in Pennsylvania.