My First Convention in the US in 14 Years!

Today I attended my first convention in the US in 14 years. I am in Colorado with my daughter Aimee and her husband Steve and the first day was fantastic! The emotion, encouragement and counsel is motivating to keep going and stay close to Jehovah. I'm really too tired to say more, but just had to write this down before bedtime. Got to rise bright and early for tomorrow's session....can't wait.

Things I Love About Ecuador and Almost Forgot

After five years of not visiting the family, I was getting so homesick and wanting a trip back to the States. I am having the time of my life and the best visit ever with Aimee. However, I have been pondering some things that I have come to love about Ecuador and now miss very much. Here is a list.

1. No matter where you are in the country, you see the brothers preaching: day and night.
2. When you walk into the Kingdom Hall, EVERYBODY greets you. It doesn't matter if it is a large or small congregation. They at least shake your hand or kiss your cheek. You feel welcomed even if you are a stranger. The rest of the world could learn a lesson from the Ecuadorian brothers.
3. The same with a party or get together. Everyone greets you AND says goodnight when you leave. Sniff.
4. The food prices. WOW, everything is expensive here.
5. Nothing is rushed. The lifestyle is much slower and relaxed.
6. I miss my afternoon siesta. I always complained that everything closes between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. and I couldn't get anything done. Now I sort of miss the quiet time.
7. The family lunch. Everyone goes home to eat the big meal at 1:00 p.m. with the family. It doesn't matter if you work, pioneer or go to school...you go home to eat (then the siesta is necessary.)
8. Walking. We walk everywhere, to work, to the grocery, in the ministry and to return visits. I used to complain, but now I sort of miss it. hmmm.
9. The parks. Every weekend families go to the park to play, rest, sleep and visit.
10. My bible students. I really miss their faces and watching their progress.

No, I'm not ready to go back yet. I'm still enjoying myself way too much. But, I did have a moment of reflection that I thought I would share.

Seven Siblings

Our anniversary party gave us an opportunity to see many old friends, but it also gave the McCleskey clan a rare chance to all get together. Here is Mark with his six brothers and sister and Mom. Can you see the family resemblance?

Some Cake

The anniversary party was a great success! I will be posting more about it later. But, for those of you who couldn't attend the great event, I wanted to share with you a glimpse of the enormous cake that Scott, Lori and family provided. It represented many of our Texas memories. Take a look at this work of art! Thank you guys for this wonderful surprise!

I will be posting more pictures of the party once I recover from the trip. It was a wonderful party and we got to see many of our friends that we haven't seen for many years. Thank you all for your participation and loving support. A special thank you to Aimee who make it all possible and was responsible for making this an event we will always cherish.

We Made It

Thank you everyone for your kind words and well wishes. Mark and I made it to Colorado without incident. Of course, we were sleep walking for the first two days. Especially Mark since he is still weak. He is much better; the antibiotics are working. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that I am such an expert shot giver NOT! He keeps complaining about a certain area of his body that is hurting.

Anyway, know we are safe and sound and really enjoying the beautiful weather and great food. I will be so fat when I get back to Ecuador...oh well, I don't get to splurge that often.

Almost Delayed

So Mark and I are getting excited to leave Ecuador and have some vacation. We worked extra to earn a bit more money and get a few gifts for are families. And what happens? A threat of a paro. The indeginous are protesting a new law and closing the roads. Traveling to Guayaquil is iffy... then Thursday night about midnight Mark wakes up with a high fever. We take him to the doctor and he orders all type of tests that literally spent all our travel money and the doc said he needs to be in the hospital. He has Prostatitis. We told the doc that we were traveling and then he said he would insert a herperin lock so he could get interveinous injections. No, please that won't work either so we talked him into giving us injections and pills. So, every 12 hours I'm giving him injections and as long as we can keep his fever under control the doc released him to travel.

Hopefully, we will get through to Guayaquil and Mark can rest in the States.

YEAH!

I'm so excited. Aimee and Steve bought us airline tickets to visit them in the States. It has been such a long time since we have had a vacation much less time in our home country. We are flying out next Saturday and I will spend the majority of the time with Aimee in Colorado. Mark will be a week there and then fly to Texas to work. We are hoping to make enough money to catch up on the debts we incurred when I had my surgery.

We will be going very upbeat and encouraged since this week is our CO visit. It has been great and we are ready to keep going.

I'll try to post a bit while in the States, but if you don't hear from me...you know why.