Dear Friends

When I started baking Christmas goodies I mentioned to Dennis that I wanted to go see some of the dear, sweet elderly ladies who come to our Church and take them some baked goods, candy and grapefruit.  He liked my idea!  We've both grown to love these ladies.  Some of them are so dirt poor that it is really pitiful.  Yes, we live on an Island where money was/is (?) laundered, but yet there are some really sad cases here.  We aren't classified as Missionaries or being on a Mission Field, but at times it seems to be that way!  So, when I got up this past Friday morning I started putting cookies in little gift bags for my friends until the bags were filled to the top.  When we left the house we stopped by the local grocery store and I ran in to buy two gift certificates and a box of candy canes.  Dennis wanted to get two of the ladies who are really, really poor and don't have much the gift certificates for groceries.  Much to my chagrin after we were on our way I realized I had forgotten the grapefruits, but I still plan to give them to the ladies when I see them at Church.

When these ladies are able to come to Church most of them sit on the fourth pew from the front right behind me.  We call them the "Hat Ladies" they wear their hats almost every service that they are there.  I just love them!!

I had Dennis take a picture of each of the ladies with me.  They are real treasures!!  One of our dear friends, Juanita, didn't want her picture taken.  I was disappointed but had to consider her desires!

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Caroline

She worked at our school for many years!  I think she would have been wonderful working with the students.  She comes to Church almost every service although she seems to be failing physically!

Ersie

She is 93 years old and has a wonderful sense of humor and a beautiful smile.  Ersie is pretty much a shut~in and doesn't get to Church!  She's one that doesn't have much.  She doesn't even have a chair to sit in.  I believe she either sits on her bed or lays down.  Rather sad!  Her home consists of a bedroom, kitchen and bath.  She is our Premier's aunt.

Gloria

A very quiet lady!  It's probably close to a year ago she fell and broke her hip.  If truth be known, I'm sure her hip broke before she hit the floor.  She is sooooooo frail.  Her house is big and very, very beautiful.  We were only with her for about five minutes as she wasn't feeling well!  She hasn't been to Church for several months.

Clorinda

What a sweet lady!  When Dennis pulled into her driveway I was so shocked as her house was so tiny!!  She wasn't home but was visiting with one of sister's a few doors away.  So, we walked over and found her.  She is so funny!  Every time she see's me (and Dennis) at Church she'll hug us and plant a big old kiss right on my cheek.  Sweet!!  Juanita, who I mentioned didn't want her picture taken is Clorinda's sister. 

Havaline

She comes to Church regular.  Just the night before we visited her she was taken to the hospital by her niece.  She was having a lot of discomfort in her chest, but the doctor said he's sure it's not her heart!  We hope he's right and that she will be okay.  She, too, is very witty and loves life!

Gloria

She is another sweetie!!  Lately she hasn't been able to get out to Church because of physical difficulties.  I was so happy to see her slowly walk down the aisle Christmas morning for the service.  She has several siblings who still come to our Church.  In fact, one of her daughter's is a wonderful friend to us as well and just about 2 weeks or so ago, her daughter came home from serving in Iraq in the U.S. Army.  She'll be here for about 1 month before going back up to Louisiana to the Army.

I was greatly blessed to go visit my dear, sweet friends and share some goodies with them.  When Dennis goes to visit them I'm always in the office working, but with me being on Christmas break it was a wonderful time to go see them!  I'm so glad I did!!