has certainly come in like a lion for me! In the midst of a wonderful meeting with Dennis Allan (go to www.embryhills.com if you'd like to listen to some of the lessons), I was finally laid low by some sort of respiratory bug and had to miss the last part. I've not been really sick, just coughing a lot and de-energized, with a voice that sounded like it was coming from deep underground. Things are getting better, though, and I'm hoping to be at services tomorrow -- though I'll be trying not to talk, which is a SEVERE affliction for me!
March has also begun with a bang because the application forms for the Young Men's Leadership Camp have been posted online and suddenly my mailbox is full. This is really exciting for me -- I've done the paperwork for the camp for several years now and it has been a real joy to see it grow. For those who are not familiar with it, it's a camp for young men 14 -18 years old and it is strictly for Bible study -- some of those who have attended refer to it (fondly, I hope) as "Bible boot camp"! The boys will do indepth studies of one or more books of the Bible and will also have classes in making talks, leading singing, and reading the Bible in public. Guest speakers throughout the week come in to describe their experiences in various mission fields around the world and assemblies each evening give the boys the opportunity to make talks and lead songs for the entire group. Last year I was able to attend for the first time and it was an unforgettable experience, one that I hope to repeat this year. To see these young men blossom during the week is a joy indeed. This year, because there are so many who want to come, similar camps are also opening in New York state and in Indiana. I understand there may also be one in Texas, though it will be run by different men.
As much of a joy as it is to be there during camp, though, it is matched by the joy of reports that come back during the following year of young men who have returned home spiritually energized to work in the Lord's service both publicly and privately. It's a blessing for me to be allowed to be a part of all this, even in a small way.
By the way -- for those who questioned -- Motel 6 came through and my travel rug arrived today from California!
So -- how has March started off for you?

...to be back home again (you know it is!)." But what a wonderful trip it was! We got home on the 30th day, much to the relief of our postman! Our travel rug has not yet arrived (it was under the pillow because John used the extra height to help with his breathing, a/k/a snoring!) and the manager will not be back till Thursday, so I will be calling then. Everything else, however, seems to be in good order. Sister Sara picked us up at the airport yesterday morning and drove us and our four suitcases home. Yep -- the three we had wouldn't do it and so we bought a new duffle bag on rollers, which served us well and will be useful for future trips.
Colorado was great -- we had gentle snow most of the time we were there -- not enough to hamper getting around (at least not there! It would have paralyzed Atlanta!) but enough to leave a fresh coating everywhere on trees, yards, and buildings. Beautiful! The play was wonderful -- "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie, with some revisions which tended to occasionally make for some hilarity. In a tense moment, one of the characters bounded up and announced, "I need a stick of gum!" In the original, that would have been a cigarette. And when drinks -- lemonade, iced tea, and water -- were offered, much was made of a refusal to touch caffeine! Of course, the original referred to much stronger liquids. The kids did a great job and even had some fun with it -- Jenn informed us after the first night that some of her usual classroom phrases had been incorporated into the dialogue! We were delighted to have been able to be present for both nights and completely enjoyed both.
Of course, the best part of the whole trip was the opportunity to be with so many family members and friends!
Now we're home doing laundry, sorting bills, catching up with emails and Pleonast, and reminiscing about all the wonderful things we saw and did!

Have had a wonderful stay in Washington State and now are packing the bags for a very early Thursday morning flight to Denver, Colorado. This will put us in in time to visit a bit and then go to "THE PLAY" -- not MacBeth, but daughter Jenn's production. We'll stay over the weekend and then fly back to Atlanta on Monday or Tuesday (depending on AirTran's cooperation), just in time to retrieve our mail before the 30-day post office deadline. I'm hoping my C.O.D. package will be in there as well -- Motel 6 did us proud on our road trip and are even picking up the left-behind pieces -- a throw rug left under a pillow in Santa Rosa, California. The real question now is whether we can get all the stuff we had in the car plus all the stuff we -- well, I -- acquired on the road (though I must say that some of the books are Louis L'Amour for John!) into the 3 suitcases as originally planned. Motel 6 may not be the only folks mailing stuff back to Atlanta!

Over the years, I have come to realize that Valentine's Day, while it can be fun, actually brings a lot of angst and unhappiness to many folks. Without going into all the reasons why, I'd just like to say that I hope all of you who are my friends here on Pleonast will feel loved and treasured not just on Sunday, but on every day -- because you are. Thank you all for the love, support, friendship, encouragement, and good laughs that you've given me all year!
With love, Cherry

I had thought I would update you all on our trip, but it looks as though "the son" and "the sister" have done a great job of keeping you posted on our whereabouts. We did have a wonderful trip and now we're enjoying visiting with John's mother as well as getting accquainted with the new location for John David and his Jenny. If all goes well, we hope to head back home next Tuesday (a week from today), at which point I'll start really pushing for us to turn around and head to Colorado so that we can see daughter Jenn's drama production (that is, the performance by her drama class).
I'll let you know how things turn out! Meanwhile, I'll try to catch up on what all you folk have been doing while I've been away from the computer!