Ghana

Did I mention that West Africa is next on my travel docket? I am so happy to go with a team of energetic folks to help build a church in a part of the world where no church building has ever exsisted.
When Lee was there a few weeks ago...(I know, why couldn't we go together???) anyway, when he was there, we got to talk over the internet a few times. One day he commented that the dear men and women he was teaching were beginning churches, meeting to worship and teaching new followers of Jesus with very few resources. We are glad to play a very small part in helping a community have a place of worship!
The team is made up of all Americans from Michigan, Arizona and Wisconsin. We are all ready to dive in and make a difference. An hour drive from where we are staying is a village with a school full of kids. We have been asked to take some of the team and spend the afternoons with the children. How many? not sure. What ages? not sure. Do they speak English? not sure.
I just have to say that for plan oriented, organized, time driven over achievers, we will have a challenge. BUT what fun stories there will be to tell.
Stay tuned.

Oldest Daughters

I am the oldest daughter. I am not sure it is an easy spot, but I hear being the youngest or in the middle has its own set of drawbacks. My own oldest daughter celebrated her birthday today. In New York City. Far from me.

Don't get me wrong. We managed to celebrate early while we were there over Thanksgiving. It was a blast to walk the park, see the Macy's parade, take in Jazz at Lincoln Center. But on the actual birthday, now that it has arrived, we are all missing each other.
Becky called sad and weepy from a cold dreary apartment. Drew (3rd born son) called within 5 minutes from sunny South Carolina with a flat tire. Finding help in a new city on a Sunday is not the easiest proposition and he was frustrated. Ruthanne (youngest daughter) then phoned in from Vienna with 102º temp wondering which medicines to take first. It was time to parent from afar. Grateful for the technology that allows the conversations. Wishing I could give a hug in person. Not today...

Instead a cup of tea, fire in the fireplace and football viewing will fill my quiet afternoon. Maybe a bit of present wrapping and follow up texts with the kids. Missing them all is a huge part of this season of my life.

A Grandaughter's Perspective from Vienna

Tribute to her Buppy recorded for the funeral in October 2009
by Ruthanne McKee Heyward


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7ITFPrAfgA

Tribute to a life well lived

Patricia Leary Warren McMullan
3/29/1934 – 10/17/2009

Patty went peacefully to meet her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ after a short and courageous battle with cancer. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband James McMullan; her brothers Donald and Tim Leary; and her daughter-in-law Laura McDonald Warren. Patty is survived by her four dearly loved children: daughter Terry and her husband Lee Heyward (Germantown, WI); son, Bill and his wife, Princell Warren (Newnan, GA), son, Matt and his wife, Beth Warren (Carrollton, GA), and son, Ted and his wife, Louise Warren (Edmonds, WA). She is also survived by her sister Susan and her thirteen cherished grandchildren: Becky (Mark) Riebesehl, Nathan Heyward, Drew Heyward, Ruthanne Heyward; Jerad Warren, William Paul Warren, Jeremy Warren, Jonathan Warren; Paul Benjamin Warren, Jay Warren; Leslie Warren, Samuel Warren, and Joseph Warren. She is further survived by numerous relatives and friends. Patricia May was born to James Donald and Dorothy DeForest Leary in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She graduated from Edina High School and attended Carleton College and the University of Minnesota where she met and married David Warren in 1955. David and Patty had four children: Terry, Bill, Matt and Ted. They enjoyed many travel adventures with friends and their four children. In August 2000, Patty married her second husband, James F. McMullan. With the love of her life, Jim, she enjoyed ministering to people, serving in their church, and traveling. Patty was known to many as a premier quilter and in recent years she shared this passion with many. Each of her children and grandchildren cherish the quilts they received from her. Countless people over the years were recipients of Patty's gracious hospitality as she opened her home to many friends during times of need. Patty loved to visit New Smyrna Beach, Florida each year for a quiet time with loved ones. Worship provided Patty great peace with her Lord and an opportunity to share her gift of song. In recent years Patty enjoyed time with her younger sister Susan and many grandchildren. In May her family gave her the gift of a trip to Ireland in celebration of her 75th birthday.

The family will receive visitors on Thursday, October 22, 2009 at the Carmichael - Hemperley Funeral Home, Peachtree City, GA from 4pm-7pm. A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, October 23, 2009 at Christ the King Charismatic Episcopal Church at 11:00am. A Committal Service will follow at Westminster Memorial Gardens, Peachtree City, Georgia. The family asks that in lieu of flowers gifts be made to Christ the King Church. (www.ctkcec.org).

Surround Sound Happiness

It started out as a sweet plan to get a laptop for Buppy (my mom) to use while she is not feeling too well. Her computer is fine, but old and slow by most standards and we thought a mobile machine might be good. After all she could then skype with those far away. A camera and speakers would be built in and the speed would be great. So the boys (brother Ted and son Nate) left for Best Buy to make this happen.

I think it was about an hour later that they returned with great big grins on their engineer faces! Sorry, Buppy. The Best Buy in Peachtree City does not sell Apple products so we decided to get you a SURROUND SOUND SYSTEM instead. The next hour was filled with giant messy unpacking of boxes and moving of cabinetry, plugging and unplugging of wires and reading of the manual after all other attempts had failed. Mom was worried about figuring out the remotes. Don't worry Buppy, I will teach you all the ways to operate the new system!
My brother Bill pitched in the action until the Auburn football game was going to be on and the tv was still not operational.

I admit I was none too pleased with the turn of events. How do you get from a laptop to a surround sound system? But I have been won over with the arrival of best friend Valerie. As Mom turned up the music to show off her new wireless speakers, Valerie commented, "so you finally got exactly what you have been wanting, Patty".

Exactly what she wanted. Who knew?

I'm so glad.

Car wreck

The news has hit us like a car wreck. At least that is the picture I kept repeating in my head. My mom who has been our greatest support received a devastating diagnosis of lung cancer. What had been treatable pneumonia(in July) now became squamous cell non small cell carcinoma stage IV. Even if you do not google that report, you can tell it is not good news. So everyone has been coming to visit. It is my 3rd weekend in Atlanta in September. During her school break, we flew home Ruthanne from Vienna, Becky came from New York, Nate has made Sharpsburg one of his regular stops and Drew drove the long drive from Charleston. Actually all the sweet grandchildren have come to see Buppy and we are glad for the support and dear expressions of love.

So we walk the walk, pray for direction and peace while longing for answers and cures where none are to be found. Quilting is still happening in the good moments. Sleep and pain medicine are dominant. Chemotherapy begins tomorrow. Each day is too short and too long at the exact same minute. We bought lots of kleenex and we are using it liberally to wipe the tears that our Lord Jesus promised to count and save.

Birthdays

I was not able to be with Nate on his 26th birthday, but I got this picture of him from his grandmother in Sharpsburg Georgia. A quilt to mark the special day. And I have oh so many memories to ponder about this dear boy growing up to a man. He turned 1 year old in Meru Kenya and learned to walk there, played with goats for fun and cried with earaches all night long. His blond hair has turned dark and curly, but the grin is the same. His engineering bent was obvious from the first set of legos he put together. Purdue was the perfect place for him. I just wish he lived down the street.
Happiest 2009 Nathaniel Lee! Thank you for being you!