FROM: Dallas
Aug 24 @ 8:06 AM

I had a wonderful time in Washington DC. Didn’t win any money, but I did meet people from all over the world. it is definitely an international affair. I met a couple in their 70’s from Lebenon, a woman who was originally from Washington state but has spent the last 3 years in the Arctic circle living with, studying and writing about the Inuet tribe of Eskimos. I’ve met folks from Australia, Africa, Jamaica, mon, Scotland, Canada, India, Phillipines, Japan, Brazil, New York, hahahha, Wisconsin, Callifornia, Minnasota, Utah….it was quite a crowd, 2,000 people attending. I was honored to be amongst them.

I did receive a silver bowl trophy on a cherry wood pedestal w/name plate for Outstanding achievement in Poetry and a Medallion that with it and $2.00 I can get a small coffee at Starbuck’s hahahahaha. God blessed my trip,I was following mapquest directions and all was going smoothly till…I was heading south on 270 coming out of Maryland and all of a sudden, 270 split and mapquest didn’t mention it, so…I made a decision and eenied meenied mineed moed my way off 270 and somehow ended up on George Washington Memorial Parkway, just knowing in my sinking heart, I had made a huge error in judgement and my destination was rapidly getting further and further away from where I was.

I drove maybe 5 miles with no way to get turned back to where I thought I needed to be then I saw a sign that said, Bridge to Wash….so I took it. Up and over and back down on the other side, smack dab in the middle of old town somewheresville in cramped streets full of traffic and people…boy did my heart cry out to God, “Please Father, show me the path to take to get to my hotel! “It was boiling hot, humidity was at least 120 %and my nerves were starting to fray a little at the ends

I see a taxi cab driver pulled off on the side of the street, I rolled my window down, and asked pleadingly for directions to Connecticut Avenue…He said, “keep going the way you are for 5 blocks, that is Conn. Ave. where are you going to ?” I told him, He said, “when you get to Conn. Ave., turn left and go to “T” St. and the hotel will be on the right side. “HALLELUIAH!!!! GOD IS SOOOO GOOD!!!!

I was on “M’ street so a few minutes later I was checking in. hahahahahaha Then on the way back, everything going smoothly, making great time, no problems….I get on 37 going by Noblesville, IN, the temp gauge peaks for just a minute, I was getting ready to pull over when it suddenly went back down, I thought perhaps the thermostat had stuck, so I continued home. The next morning, Monday, I drove into Tipton to go to the bank and eat breakfast and on the way back to Atlanta, I got as far as the 4-H fairgrounds and the temp gauge climbs and stays up, I pulled over and a lady stopped before I could even cross the road, and was going to give me a ride but I was able to use her cell phone instead and I called my friend, Kevin Knotts and he brought some water and I was able to drive it to his house where he proceeded to start the task of repairs,(he’s my mechanic as well as a childhood friend) he’s a wiz at car repair, I call him Professor or Doctor Knotts. Hahahahaha. Well, I hope this has been an enjoyable distraction .Continued prayers and heartfelt hopes.

FROM: Gracie
Aug 24 @ 10:40 AM

There’s a brief note below my comments from my deaf sister, Jeanne who read your touching love story. Your remembrance of your first date with Lea and sharing with us a bit of your life together moved me. I know my life has been changed by getting to know both you and Lea. Life is sweeter just feeling the love radiating from your letters. Thank you for sharing your lovely love story with us.

Here’s Jeanne’s comments,
I became teary eyed reading about how they met . They are such a wonderful couple, I try to visualize how Kathy must have been…. a younger sister being with her brothers and older sister Lea. I am thankful I got a brief peek inside their wonderful family and their childhood life together. But even more I enjoyed Larry’s wondrous love story with Lea. I cried at the end, He is so sweet to share it with us.

FROM: Kathy
Aug 24 @ 1:33 PM

I think Dan finally is about to get our computer fixed. It has been a mess. Hope you are feeling better today. Larry said last night that you were a little better and that is what we want to hear. You just remember that you have a lot of people praying for you to get better soon. Dan and I love you very much and there is a lot of people who do and are waiting to see that big smile of yours. You just keep up the fighting and you have numerous people praying for you because you have touched so many peoples lives and they all love you so much. You are such a great person and I am so lucky to have you for a sister. You are so special to me and I miss our phone conversation a lot so hurry up and Get Well. Hugs and Kisses to you. God Bless You!