My Valentine's Day 2016

Valentine's day is also our anniversary. Yesterday was our 8th one. So, first thing in the morning, Les went to make breakfast for three motorcyclists that were staying with us - very fun since he had homemade Polish sausages and Bartek is Polish!






I started out the day by gardening for about 3 hours and then when Bartek and gang left, I went to clean up their rooms. Les had told me he would have out lunch ready at 1:00, so I was gearing to go home at little before 1:00 when I saw my friends driving by towards the house. I thought they were looking for me, and then I saw our neighbor Gary drive by too.....hmmmmm....what is going on? I go home and Les had planned a surprise party. Since I was reeking of bleach, I quickly showered and lo and behold - we had a wonderful lunch party! I had mentioned to him a couple days ago that we were way overdo for a get together and voila!








But, there was another highlite yesterday. I have been trying to reach some kids whose families are quite disturbed with drugs and alcohol and I so worry that these kids will easily go down that road of no return. They have been trouble already and got kicked off the soccer team. I talked to the kids who run the team and said that I totally respected their decision (the kids had stolen money from the team) but that we all make bad choices and that these particular individuals really needed someone to look up to, friends who explained how bad what they did was but that perhaps put them on probation instead of kicking them off the team.


A couple weeks later, when the trouble makers asked to be let back on the team, the group came to let me know they had accepted them back. GREAT DECISION I told them.

Well, about a week ago, these troubled kids asked me if we could restart the bike club. So, they have done so. We have bought two bikes and 2 bike shorts and they have started reblazing the bike trail that they made years ago. Keeps them real busy, trust me. One of the kids has promised to work and pay me back slowly but surely.

Having the bike club was one of the most difficult projects ever and I remember that Diane from Asuncion warned me how hard it would be! But, it is fun for the kids and there are teams all over which compete against each other....so I am on board!


The point of all this is that at the end of the afternoon yesterday, the same 3 kids brought me a balloon for Valentine's Day! I was speechless! Loved that they could get out of typical teen "me me me" mode and honor me so! Here is a photo Les took of us!






Please pray / send positive thoughts out for these kids and one other - they have a tough time at home.

And this was truly a GREAT day!