Friday, January 25, 2008

Asked and Answered

Two days ago I joined in the "ask me anything" game, but I kind of snuck it into the midst of a post. I have two questions so far. Feel free to jump in (or not, if you don't have a need to know!)


My dear friend and prayer partner, Nancy, from "Daily Blessings," asked me "How are your son and daughter-in-law doing?"


When I first began blogging, in June 2006, Kevin was just coming home from Teen Challenge on the East Coast. Diane from "Partners in Prayer for Our Prodigals," threw him a Welcome Home party. What fun, as I met so many new friends around the globe - especially those with prodigals in their lives.


Kevin and I journaled his journey together, and it appears on my sidebar, if you're interested and are new to my blog.


Kevin is married to Sema (her blog name), who is a beautiful Kenyan girl that he met when he spent a semester in school in Nairobi. They have been married for six years. She stayed with us while he was in Teen Challenge and achieved a second degree. She finally got the job she really wanted in the large office of a gastroenterology practice. Kev is in the second semester of his junior year as a social work major, an undergrad in the same office where I work with grad level social work students. He's not sure what he wants to do yet, but he knows this degree will be a good launching point for his future. He loves languages - in fact has the gift of languages and can learn them unbelievably easily. He and Sema speak Swahili together. He is taking Arabic, and has a heart for such places as Somalia and Afghanistan. Please continue to pray for them as their future unfolds.


Linds, of "Rocking Chair Reflections" asked these two questions:


What are you looking forward to most about your retirement?


What is your favourite holiday destination in the USA?


Retirement - it is sounding better every day. After 14 1/2 years at my job, which I have truly enjoyed for the most part, I am finding myself with "short-termer's mentality." For me, this means that I am beginning to get impatient with situations that haven't bothered me before. The thing I'm NOT looking forward to is the preparation I have to make before I can leave - I have to create a Desk Manual, which delineates everything I do, with processes and time lines. I don't have time!



But that wasn't the question! What am I looking forward to? Not setting an alarm. Of course, I can never sleep in anyway - my bladder won't let me. But at least I can go back to bed. If I want to. Which I probably won't. I'll probably be up early, fixing DC's lunch (he plans to work a bit longer so that we can do some major overhauling of our house while he can draw Social Security and his salary - long overdue). I plan to have my devotions in a more leisurely fashion. I plan to go to the gym in the morning instead of in the evening when I'm exhausted. One huge project - getting approximately 10,000 pictures organized and put into albums. I will probably be very involved with the grands - but hope I have a bit more flexibility than I do now in that regard. We hope to travel. We hope to someday do some short term mission work.


My favorite holiday destination in the US? As I thought of this question, I realized that I have been blessed to have visited some wonderful places. The west coast from north to south; the east coast from Boston north (much too briefly); Washington D.C. - full of history and absolutely gorgeous in the autumn (the two times I've been there - would love to experience the cherry blossoms in the spring); the midwest - Minnesota and Wisconsin are green and lush (and full of relatives); I discovered the beauty of Georgia this past spring; Arkansas has a beauty all its own; Idaho has a gorgeous lake I never knew about until our last family reunion; Arizona - the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Wickenburg and the high desert (Phoenix, not so much!); Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons in northern Wyoming; and of course my own back yard, Colorado.


But my favorite? If you've been reading my blog recently, you can probably imagine my answer - the place we keep wanting to re-visit - The Big Island. We hope to try other islands, but this place has a special spot in our hearts.





Nobody asked this question, and it's not about spots in the USA, but, after reading Linds' posts in the last year, I definitely need to get back to England (to visit her and my brother and his family), and to Switzerland and New Zealand!


So - any more questions?

16 comments:

Nancy said...

Thanks for answering my question. It's great to hear an update on them both.

I also enjoyed reading about your retirement. I really love it and I am sure you will too.

Have a great weekend! Enjoy the twins.

Mary said...

Dawn,

You are lucky to be so well traveled. I have been to Canada's Maritimes and to British Columbia (interior only) and would love to visit Vancouver Island. I have traveled more in the US. I've never been to Hawaii and since I don't care to fly, I never expect to go there.

The next trip we go on I hope to go west, either in the US or Canada. Hubby likes Florida, but I want to see other places. I would also love to visit the deep South - Alabama, Mississippi, Louisianna and Texas. So, we shall see. Since we just finished our trip it will be a few years before we travel again. We also have work to do on the house.

Thanks for this post. I found it very interesting.

Praying for the girlies.

Blessings,
Mary

Diane@Diane's Place said...

Hmm....a question....What's your favorite meal that your Mom prepared - including dessert? Any special memories attached to the meal?

Hope your weekend is good. ;o)

Love and hugs,

Diane

Linds said...

I can't wait for you to visit England again soon too! And you will just LOVE Switzerland and New Zealand!
There are so many places I want to see in the States. And people too. I know so much about the history, and have read so much, and now I want to experience it all too. As I said, dreams are good!

nannykim said...

Good post--and I hope to come back to read Kevin's story later today!

Praising God for his wonderful mercy, amazing grace, and powerful working of His Spirit in our lives and the lives of our Children.

groovyoldlady said...

If you ever make it up to Maine, we have a cozy guestroom. :-) and we'll even buy you your own supply of Moxie, whoopie pies, maple syrup, and Gifford's ice cream!

Nadine said...

Great answers. I'm back catching up. The last set of pictures of the twins are so sweet.

I've got a question - If there were such a thing as a time machine what time period would like to visit?

nancygrayce said...

I just pray that one day my son and I can write our journey together! You are blessed in so many ways. You deserve a wonderful retirement and happy travels! You're an inspiration to me.

nannykim said...

Well, I read your son's and your daughter's stories! As I have said so often, we do not always know what other families are experiencing. Those most have been very difficult times! My daughter also was anorexic for a time in high school (it all began after someone called her fat--she was 5 foot 6 inches and weighed 115 or so when this person said this!)...it led to a downward spiral. She went to therapy, which did not seem to help, but eventually the Lord just worked in her heart and things changed. I am so thankful for God's grace and power in our children's lives!

Needled Mom said...

I hope that you can retire soon with all those travel plans. I am sure that NO alarm will need to be set as you will awaken early each day trying to accomplish all that you want to do. Trust me on that one! I speak from experience.

Tammy said...

First of all, I was just seeing the post below today with the new pictures of the twins...those faces are so sweet it almost makes me want to cry and I'm not even related! They are such little sweethearts!

I somehow didn't get in on the first batch of questions but I'd love for you to...
Tell about how you met your husband and what you remember most about the courtship. :)

Nadine said...

If you are curious about Bridge churches you can find out more information from their website. Just click on it under my Links (it's the first one).

:) Have a great day.

Unknown said...

I'm glad Kevin and Sema are doing well. It's nice to get an update about them.

Retirement will be nice I bet. You will still be busy I'm sure, but like you said it will be more flexible and hopefully you'll get the things done that YOU want to do.

A trip to Maine in the fall is a must...and then we could meet. :-)

Myrna said...

I'm back to blogging now! I'm trying to catch up--I hae peeked in on the twins from time to time in the last couple of weeks! They are so precious!

I have also enjoyed your story aobut the island. I have never been to Hawaii. It is still on my list of places to go1

Here's a question--What is the best book (or author) you have read in the last five years? Why?

Midlife Mom said...

Oh rats! Someone took my question! ha! I too want to know how you met your hubby and about your courtship!

Unknown said...

Hi Dawn, I don't have a question this trip but wanted you to know you have been tagged for a Meme, stop by to see.