Much, Much, Much....

 Graduation from Columbia Theological Seminary was a road trip to ATL

 Grandpa Bing's 81st Birthday at El Caperal with sweetie pie Jackson Scudder

 Easter cookout....Ben & Ben solving the world's problems over a beer

 Special Aunt Allie loving on Jackson Liam Scudder

 Easter group photo 2014

Al's beautiful and well deserved diploma

 

The last time I wrote, it was the beginning of May.....and now it's almost June!  I can't even begin to remember all that has happened.  The ceremonies of Al's graduation were so inspiring....I was a proud MAMA.  Al had been sick the whole time we were down there, but we didn't realize how sick.  Upon returning from ATL, she was admitted to SRMC with excruciating stomach pain and her white count was up above 18,500.  All tests are normal though, and white count is normal....so, she opted to get OUT OF SRMC at we'll find a good doc outpatient. 

Our Ben P. just finished a week in Philadelphia taking a class for Ford.  The pool is almost ready for swimming and I had a relaxing time riding the John Deere yesterday cutting the grass. 

My dear high school friend, Lydia Sterling Hall is in ICU after surgery at UVA.  Praying for her recovery.....

BIG NEWS....John has joined the Carson Fire & EMS Department.  Looks like he will be acting as their chaplain.....Once I get a picture of him in all of his gear, I will post it!  He took a class in CPR at the hospital. He also joined American Family Fitness and goes there about 3 times a week.  What a husband I have!!

The weather is beautiful today....gonna get off this computer!

P.S.  I have a new hero.  Pope Francis prayed at the wall in Bethlehem today.....Oh, that the world will see!



IT'S BEEN A MONTH!

It's been a month since I even opened my blog.  So much can happen in a month...
We've had snow and ice multiple time.  It has been a dark, wintery period and I am so glad to have warmer weather, daylight savings time and the daffodils finally blooming!
I received the names of the Nablus teens coming to camp this summer and it's exciting to see so many young new names. The camp applications are coming in and even though at times it's mentally exhausting, it is very exciting!
Allie, Ellen, Ben and I went to the big cathedral by VCU this past Wednesday to get ashed and then stuffed ourselves at the Strawberry Street Café.  Good food, good evening!
The VCU Men's Basketball games have given us great evenings at home!  The playoffs are coming up....hope we can find them somewhere on Dish Network.
I've even had a chance to look at Ancestry a little bit...not much, but a little:) 
The Scudder atrocity just keeps growing, but I'm proud of the kids and the way they are walking through this tornado.
Really looking forward to May!  Foremost is our trip to Atlanta for ALLIE'S GRADUATION CEREMONY!!!!!  Marnie is getting married, the Koman Walk in Richmond and then Daniel and Sara are getting married the last weekend.  So, May will be full and fun!
I've got to get more in gear with the houses!!!

A WINDING ROAD...

Just thought I'd put this picture of "genealogy" on my page. It's just a reminder that my family history search is wayyyyyyyy on the back burner right now.  My foot, definitely GREEK:)
I have procrastinated until I can no longer do so anymore!  I am so distracted by what's going on around me.  John has been visiting a long time golfing friend In the hospital that is not expected to live many more hours.  He is wrestling with the emotions around all of it.  Ben was injured at work a week ago and his shoulder isn't getting any better, soooooo looks like he will be going for an MRI today after his doc appointment.  Allie had a glorious , brief time with the PLO Delegation in Washington D.C., but the commute proved to be too costly and long.  Lesson learned as she and Ben sort out their future. 
I'm joined by 3 other wonderful people to raise the funds for a Nablus group to come to camp this summer.  I thank God for them.  It's exciting to think about a group coming again from the middle east.....I do miss their smiles and spirit.  It is very inspiring and lifting...
The sun is finally coming out....answer to prayer....
I think about all the planning I do.  Funny how plans change.....funny that John's message on Sunday was on PLANS....Hmmmmmmm!

COLD!!!!

The cold just isn't going away and neither is the snow!  Apparently another cold spell is supposed to hit after the weekend :( 

Allie and I packed her things for tomorrow's journey. I am so excited for her.  I am also excited to buckle down and get ready for the summer.  Will buckle down more about losing weight too:)

We enjoyed watching VCU beat Dayton at an away game the other night.  Tomorrow is a home game!  John and I have a date with the TV. 

 



New Year.....New Beginnings

Things are changing quickly around here.  Al received the final call of confirmation and she begins Monday at the "embassy" of the PLO Delegation to the U.S. on embassy row!  I am including the website at the bottom of the blog.  She & Ben are going up Saturday to check out the metro route.  She will be staying at David's near Dulles temporarily until she maybe gets something closer to downtown.  Lots of prayers requested please.  This is going to be incredible but a challenge!
Tuesday, I drove down and spent several hours with Sheila & Glenn Plott.  The time goes by so fast when I am with them!  We had a wonderful time sitting around the kitchen table.  Then I met Allie & Paige/Grover in Williamsburg at "Food For Thought" for a delicious lunch, exchanging presents and conversation.  Again, the time goes by so quickly when we are all together! 
We all got home just in time for the SNOW STORM!!!!  Lots of snow and cold weather so it isn't melting.  Schools are closed and everybody's happy!
John visited Lois' mom at Southside Regional Medical Center.  She's there with an infection.  Then I just talked with Bobby Allen....his wife fell in the kitchen.....broke her arm in 2 places and is having surgery at John Randolph this afternoon.  Whew......I also had an old school buddy get in touch with me last night.  He is getting his first chemo.....diagnosed very quickly with lymphoma.  I hope and pray that the rest of the year isn't sprinkled with these kinds of happenings. 
I'm distracted with Allie's events....going to help her pack for the week.....so excited for her!  Can't wait to talk with our Nablus friends about all of this! 
To explain, the U.S. doesn't recognize Palestine as a country.  It has two governing bodies:  The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) who's president is Mahmoud Abbas is the rational voice of peace for the Palestinians.  Then there is Hamas, the violent extremists who pretty much have control of Gaza.  With no recognition as a country, Palestine can have no embassy, so they have a DELEGATION with an ambassador appointed by the PLO president. 
This is the group Allie will be with.  There are 10 people in the office representing the voice of Palestine.  It is important and they were looking for someone that knew all the ins and outs of the area:  religious, political, historical, and current events.  My girl is so smart & knowledgeable. 
Here's the website for the "embassy".....

http://plodelegation.us/delegation/chief-representative/

THERE'S A LOT GOING ON!



There is So much going on!  Biggest news....Allie applied for an internship in Washington D.C. with the PLO Delegation to the U.S. and was offered the position yesterday!  Only hitch, she is waiting for the ambassador to interview and sign off on her application.  They told her she had the position, but that the ambassador likes to interview sometimes.  So, Al is waiting again....boy, does she know how to play the waiting game! 

We are holding off , but need to find a place for her to live up there SOON!  The position starts on the 27th and runs until JUNE 27th.  Hopefully through her job there she will come in contact with folks that may hire her permanently:)  Fingers crossed!

Workcamp is steadily filling.....groups are adopting crews for lunches.  I have been totally lazy about much of it.  I bought a new computer program for the finances....updated much, but I just have to get into it REALLY SOON!

Took Ellen to a doc appointment the other day...all is good. Her mom would be so proud of her.  She is such a balance young woman.   Kent started driving lessons this past Tuesday....only three more weeks and he can get his drivers license.  The pic below is from last night....Bing and Ellen came up and we all ate out at the local Mexican restaurant....it was so good to see them!

Well, Al and I will continue the waiting game.  Ben has to work late tonight, so we'll count the hours together :)



Happy New Year 2014!!!!

The new year is here.  All my family & friends know I am not one to bring in the new year with a lot of hoopla.  I must admit thought, I have never been so glad to see a new year arrive as 2014.  The past year has been a rollercoaster ride....and yes, there have been many highs!  There were far too many deaths and lows, so I am ready to grab the good from last year and high tail it into 2014!!

As you can see from the photo, John was a good boy so Santa brought him a bike.  Only trouble is we are both spastic now!  Santa should have brought a "girls" bike....getting up to speed with that bar in the middle is messing us up!  We'll get it though.  Right now it's just a stinking reminder that we are getting older!!

Sylvia came over to visit tonight.  She and Al have plans in the works with Father Ibrahim.  More later as that materializes. 

The workcamp registrations are rolling in.  I am neck deep in paperwork now.  It's all good though.  Just a little overwhelming.  I've REALLY got to get the website rolling....I'm having trouble uploading it. 

Jeff, Jon and family came up the day after Christmas.  It was good to be all together.  We all plan to head to Horsepasture on January 11.  I'm trying to set aside a time to meet with Paige.....and we'd love to head down to see Glenn & Sheila too. Work before play though.  I've been lazy the past few months and now it's time to hussle!