My Mini Vacation

My friend Su and I just finished a four day, two night mini vacation. So what did we do?

Thursday we went to Desoto Bend, a National animal and bird refuge. We did not see many migratory birds as we had wished but we had fun driving through the refuge.



We then drove to Blair, NE and went to three thrift shops, and ate at a Mexican buffet for lunch. Here is Su at the Mexican restaurant.

 After a short drive we arrived in Fremont,NE and got our hotel room. We relaxed a bit then went out to eat. We had decided to eat in restaurants that were not our usual choices. That night we ate at Penny's Diner:



Friday Su and I went to three thrift shops and out to lunch at Arby's. In the afternoon we went to a movie matinee and then out to eat supper at a USA Steak Buffet.



Saturday we drove back to Omaha and went to two more thrift shops on the way to Godfather's Pizza for lunch.

I drove Su to her home after lunch. This morning we met at parking lot where Su left her car and I drove us to Bridge Church so we could visit a new church. Our church partners sometimes with Bridge Church to minister to an inner city area so we wanted to visit Bridge Church. We listened to a good message. After the service Su and I went out to eat lunch, thus declaring that our mini vacation was over.

I have to admit, I did not use portion control during our mini vacation. This photo (From Funny Potato website) is NOT of Su and me. I'm just showing it to illustrate being off track! I ate just too much during my vacation!



Although I did some walking, I did not do enough walking and I did not exercise. I know that I must get back to exercising!

Today's Positives:
1. I had a great four day vacation!
2. An envelope with three checks that I sent to my bank, and that did not get registered as a deposit was returned to me. I had put it in the wrong envelope. I can now resend these checks to my bank in the CORRECT envelope ...so the almost $300 can be credited to my account!! I'm am so glad that I got the envelope back!
3. Longtime friends were in town this afternoon and I got to see them at a reception given in their honor.
4. I will be back on track with healthy eating and exercising TOMORROW!

Have a nice week!

P.S. The last photo was sent to me by email from the website Funny Potato:   www.funny-potato.com/

Carolyn's Capers... October 16th

Good News: Returning to Gabon!
Praise the Lord and thanks for praying. I have received approval to return to my work in Gabon and the Bongolo Hospital. I’m in the process of making reservations to leave Omaha on December 11^th, arriving in Libreville, Gabon on December 12^th. After a few days in the capital city, I will travel to the hospital which is about 350 miles further south.

What have I been studying?
I have just finished taking a six week, seven session Women’s Bible study at church. I was one of the table leaders.  Here at my apartment complex we finished a weekly study on Acts and tomorrow we will start studying Romans (see photo from apartment study). I am also finishing my second correspondence course for renewal of my Nursing License. This course is entitled, Geriatric Assessment.

Packing and Shipping!
I am getting a couple of cartons of things ready to send UPS to Ohio where they will be put into a container and shipped through the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean and then on to Gabon. I also ordered a new recliner that will be a good support for my legs. That too will go into the Gabon container.  I do not plan on sending much to Africa this time since I already have plenty of “stuff” over there. In the next two years I need to GET RID OF 35 years of belongings!

Speaking I have done.
September 16.... Ecclesia Adult Sunday school Class September 24th... Alliance Women at Christ Community Church
October 4^th… I spoke about Africa to 30-35 residents from my Apartment Complex.

Thanks for your Gifts!
Thank you for your investment in me and my ministry! The primary investment vehicle to support my work is the Great Commission Fund. Contributions can be made through a local Alliance church, online at The Alliance's official website or by sending a check to the C&MA, PO Box 35000, Colorado Springs, CO 80935-3500. You may designate your gift to support me by writing “for the support of Carolyn Thorson” on the memo line.

Physical Status.
I have finished seeing my doctors except for one last check up in December, just before I fly out. I have seen my eye doctor and need new glasses. My dentist filled one very small cavity, one not needing any anesthesia. I had a Post Ovarian cancer check up and all is fine. I went to a Travel Clinic to get my vaccinations up to date.  I no longer go to Physical Therapy but I do go to the Wellness Center and for exercising and swimming. I am still working at better bending my left knee.  Ibuprofen is what relieves my knee pain now. I walk without my cane at times and at other times I use a cane to steady myself.

Vacation Plans:
A friend and I will take a vacation from October 25-28. Su is from my church and we have vacationed together in the past.  We plan to stay close to Omaha and hope to do the vacation on one tank of gas!

Prayer Requests:
1. For the 24 Nursing Students studying at the Bongolo Hospital Nursing School.
2. For Karen Fitch, Terry Newman and Amanda Martin who are teaching the Nursing Students this quarter.
3. That I continue to make improvement at bending my left knee.
4. That I make good use of my time as I finish up many projects that I want to do before returning to Gabon.