Mom just sent this - a video montage of cats. I think she's gonna kill me with laughter - I nearly coughed up a lung!

I guess everyone thinks I need to laugh. Got this today from Coleen.

Okay, I finally decided that the best gift I could give Coyan was a story. I think I'll make into a scroll and give it to him that way.
So here it is....

There once was a traveling prince who knew two young maidens.

One maiden lived near the prince in a city, surrounded by tall buildings. She had a small family and many friends who all loved Jehovah. Even though she was small and shy, her favorite things to do were to preach and to help build Kingdom Halls.

Far away across the land, the other maiden lived by the sea surrounded by tall trees. She had a large family and many friends who loved Jehovah. Even though she was small and quiet, she spent much of her time preaching because, for now, that was all she could do.

Once, when the traveling prince journeyed by the sea, the quiet maiden asked if there was something more for her to do. “Perhaps there is someone I can encourage?”

The prince promised to look for someone because he knew how much she longed to be able to do more. For many months he searched, but couldn't find a friend suitable for the quiet maiden.

Then, one day, he went to visit the shy maiden who lived in the city, and learned that she was very ill. She was sad at heart thinking she would no longer be able to preach or build Kingdom Halls as before. “What shall I do?” she asked.

“I know just who you need to talk to,” said the prince and he told her about the quiet maiden who lived far away.

With a little encouragement from the prince, the two maidens soon became fast friends. Each found the other to be a refreshing soul with an understanding heart. And so the two maidens grew as close as sisters and lived happily ever after, along with the traveling prince.

I got a postcard from Elton & Sirkka! I don't know if you can see the date stamped here, but it says 11072006. So it took from July 11 until today to get here. I wonder if that's because it's a postcard, or because it's coming from Europe.

“Dear Lilyan,

It is hot here in Finland. People only wear what they have to, to be modest. Sun sets at 11 PM, sun rises at 2 AM. Lots of daylight hours now, but the days are very short in the winter. We had a good convention, all in Finnish. We spend most of our time visiting relatives in rest homes and hospitals. It seems that everyone has some serious health problem that could get worse at anytime. Their bad health provides an opportunity for a witness that otherwise might not be there.

Love, Elton & Sirkka”

Coyan wrote! He actually took time out of his busy life to write! That means a lot in itself, besides what he wrote which is very upbuilding. This letter was one of the things I kept with me in the hospital the entire time and had people read to me over and over again. Especially when I felt beat up and needed to feel strong, loving arms around me.

I think he sent this in March or April, not sure anymore, just that it was the major sustaining force keeping me connected to Jehovah until Sabrina came.
[Below the picture is a typed-out copy of what he wrote.]
“Dear LilyAnn and mom,
Hope you are both holding your own with Jehovah's help. I am so sorry you are having to go thru these trials when you would rather be preaching or enjoying the congregation. Be assured Jehovah and the angels appreciate your good examples of faith and those that are familiar with your circumstance are encouraged also. I can imagine it is a real fight to keep a good hopeful spirit. Keep Fighting! 1 Timothy 6:12.

With you in my prayers

your brother,

Coyan Hricziscse”

When Clover visited her aunt in Lake Havisu, Arizona, they went to this old timey town. Apparently, Clark Gable spent his honeymoon there. Anyway, the big attraction now are the daily visitors. Not the humans, no, not the tourists. The descendants of prospector/miner donkeys have essentially grown wild. Every day they come down from the mountains & stroll through town. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the stores conviniently sell carrots for the tourists to feed them.

One of the daytime RTs, respiratory therapists, printed out one of his photos to put up in my cell. Darrel (yes, spelling is correct) is actually a temp, a traveling RT with vast & varied experience which included *gasp* working with quads. How refreshing.
I found him to be a grandpa type; kind, full of quirky sayings & silly jokes, knowledgeable, talkative. He is also a conservative Baptist.

One of my best friends came over for lunch & stayed 3 1/2 hours.