Still Separated

Update on Mom, Karen, & Lynette
Meanwhile out in California...mom's scheduled for surgery this morning to rebuild her right elbow and re-set her left wrist in a new cast.  Mom's just ready to get all this wrapped up as are Karen and Lynette. Yet for them like the rest of us, life only happens one day at a time. Even so K&L have been rather busy in the meantime making the arrangements and handling all the logistics of moving mom to an assisted living facility after her recovery. Some days seem longer than others, but things are looking up!

Karen and Mom at a Mexican restaurant after visiting the surgeon. Photo courtesy of Lynette.

Lynette and Mom taking a spin at the medical facility. Photo courtesy of Karen.

Separated by Miles, Bonded by Love
It's day 17 of our separation. In Karen's absence, I've realized I don't cook. Unless you count microwaving hot dogs and opening jars of Kim Chi as "cooking." I'm so thankful that Karen made up a batch of granola before she left. One doesn't need to cook granola. Unless you count opening a milk container and/or yogurt container as "cooking." Maybe opening an ice cream container is "cooking." I'm not sure about that, but I am sure you all have opinions and insights to share with me about that. Or what about unwrapping a Snickers bar or opening a bag of potato chips? Cooking?

Getting ready to cook my lunch.

NC to Canada to NC to California?
Yep. That's the plan right now. The concept is for me to leave for Candidate Orientation next Friday, February 2, make the drive to Canada and then, after orientation, February 4-10, expect to turn around, head back to NC and then head off to CA to finally see mom and reunite with Karen. Yay! Not sure how long we'll be in California, but we'll for sure be out there long enough to know that mom's okay, settled in, and surrounded by a loving net of care.

Thanks for your thoughts, your prayers, and your well wishes! 

Keith's in North Carolina, Karen's in California

Greetings Blog-followers!
Welcome to our premier blog post of 2018. Somewhere in the recent past 2017 ended and the New Year started. I'm afraid it's been something of a blur.

Since returning home from our trip to Grass Valley in October, I've survived the flu, pneumonia, and most recently the Endless Coughing Crud Sinus/Chest Infection Extravaganza. Zowie. Three rounds of antibiotics later, with a Bonus Round of Pink-Eye thrown in for fun...I think I'm going to make it. What a run of illness. Right now, I'm okay and should have a high level of immunity against everything. Now it's time for mass consumption of Probiotics and Airborne.

Keith Focuses Efforts on Orientation Preparation in NC
Yes, it's Pre-Orientation Season so I'm desk-deep creating content in PowerPoint and writing related manual pages. Our next orientation is scheduled February 4-10 at our Canadian office in St. Catharines, Ontario. Consequently, I have three weeks remaining to pull my sessions together.

Global is committed to making each orientation better than the last which requires a constant updating/re-development of seminar/presentation material. As this is our sixth orientation, I gotta say, this one will be better than the last. It's exciting to be part of team dedicated to professionalism and excellence. Each class of missionaries (February/August) help us grow and improve. Thank You for making this possible through your gifts and prayers! Remember, YOU'RE part of every seminar presentation and every candidate orientation!

Here I am with adequate brain food and an orientation schedule. I'm responsible for each session circled. It may be hard to see, but I count nine circles.

Lord willing the drive up to, and a week of driving around Canada and back and forth between our US Headquarters in Buffalo, NY won't be too challenging. Have you seen any photos of Niagara Falls this winter? Wow. Things are a bit chilly up there. Actually, THINGS ARE A BIT CHILLY DOWN HERE! It was 17 degrees this morning. Good thing we moved SOUTH.

Karen Focuses Efforts on Healthcare in CA
Karen, my wife and Lynette, my sister, are both in southern California caring for our Mom. Mom had a fall resulting in two broken arms. Karen and Lynette are helping manage all the details of medical care, surgery and rehab which are Mom's current reality. Mom's stable, is in a decent facility, but has a long road ahead of her. There are more questions than answers at this point. We're all taking it one day at a time. Your prayers for this process would be greatly appreciated.

Here's Mom and Karen!

Here's Mom & Lynette. Notice the fresh-baked cookies!

Bird Photos Are A Pleasant Diversion
Can't really have a blog without some recent bird photos!

A Northern Bluebird puffed up against the cold.

Two Bluebirds and a Northern Cardinal deciding whether or not to share.

An Eastern Phoebe decided to adopt us this winter.

A Brown Thrasher prepares for breakfast.

Thanks for being part of our lives and our ministry!