It’s time!

After 11 weeks of being in the US, including 8 weeks of driving about the countryside backroads and Interstates of Illinois, I am heading back to Asia.  I met so many wonderful people and thoroughly enjoyed sharing stories of being an Amity Foundation teacher in China.  I only do these sorts of speaking engagements every 3 years.  This has been my 9th itineration, having started my first in 1996, and I hope to have many more to come.  What made this particular visit so enjoyable was meeting many for the first time, plus driving the most miles ever, a total of 3,600,  in my mom’s car which she so graciously allowed me to use.  (Much appreciated, Mom!)

With Grateful Thanks:  Such a Blessing To Meet You!

I want to give a huge thank you to all who invited me to speak, included housing if needed and also for those who provided everyone with such amazing breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack spreads.  What a treat!  As we all know, Methodists know how to eat (and eat well).  It is one among many of our best hospitality qualities.   You all certainly didn’t disappoint.

My Itineration  Destinations  

If you are interested in where I’ve been:   My out-of-state visits were our United Methodist new offices (Atlanta, GA), Clemson UMC  (Clemson, SC), St. Mark UMC (Charleston, SC) and a UMW district gathering at Bluff Springs UMC (Canton, MO).

In Illinois, my speaking engagements were:   Marshall First UMC, O’Fallon UMC, Watson UMW,  Normal First UMC,  Carrollton/Christ UMW (White Hall), Wesley Chapel UMC and Fourth Street UMC (Shelbyville), Paris First UMW, Marshall retired teachers, Decatur Grace UMC, Illiopolis UMW gathering , Mission U (Springfield, IL), Forsyth UMC, Epworth UMW (Mt. Vernon),  Wesley UMC (Bloomington), Christ  UMC (East Moline), Long Point UMC, Bushnell UMC, Carthage UMC, Island Grove UMW (New Berlin), Carterville UMW, Champaign First UMC, Faith UMC (Champaign), and Charleston Wesley UMC.

Photo Journal of Memories

Here let me post a slideshow of all my visits.  My most current newsletter gave you many of these already but I did have a few groups toward the end who weren’t included on my photo page.  I was eager to get the newsletter copied and mailed out before I left, not waiting to the last minute when I knew I wouldn’t have time to get it all done.   I hope those omitted find yourselves in these pictures.  You certainly haven’t been forgotten!

Can’t wait to see you all again in the summer of 2020.  Mark your calendars!  I certainly have.  Ping An (Peace!)

At a retired teachers’ luncheon, I met my former junior high principal, Doris Shawler (standing) and my 6th grade teacher, Mary Irwin (seated, 95 years old!)