OFF TO MERRIE OLDE ENGLAND

In a little more than a week, I will head to Merrie Olde England for my final trip across the Atlantic. Traveling by plane has become so difficult and unpleasant, that I don't see myself making the attempt again. Even I think it's a bit crazy for me to attempt it now. Grandpère surely thinks so, and he will not travel with me. On this trip, I will be in the south of England, with Oxford as my outpost farthest to the north.

While I'm there, I will have access to the internet mostly on my friend's laptop.   Email messages to and from my family will be my priority, so it's likely few posts will appear on Facebook or my blog.

I've just been summoned to jury duty on a date when I will be out of the country, so I must write to be excused, though I like to do my civic duty when called upon. The notice tells me that I may also be excused due to my great age, but I would not ask on that account.

PLEASE PRAY FOR LINDA

Linda is dying. Linda is also flying back to Zambia tomorrow. She was in church today, and she did not look well. Please pray that Linda can make the trip in a measure of comfort.

Linda's story is here. I'm sorry, but I can't write any more.

UPDATE: I just talked to one of the two parishioners who took Linda to the airport. The staff at Delta Airlines and the airport went out of their way to care for Linda with compassion and efficiency, and Linda got on the plane for Atlanta. A friend was to meet her in Atlanta to help her board her flight to Johannesburg, where friends will meet her and offer her hospitality for the night, and she will set out for Zambia the next day. Thanks be to God that, although Linda seemed to be in great pain when the group left Thibodaux, she felt better once she arrived at the airport. Thanks be to God for the two fine people from our church who helped Linda on her way.

Please continue to pray that Linda will make it safely to Zambia, as Brian says, in the cradle of God's arms.

Thank you all for your prayers and comforting words. They mean more to me than I can say. I type these words with tears of sadness in my eyes, but also with tears of thanksgiving for your love and support.

For Linda:

May God the Father bless you, God the Son heal you, God the Holy Spirit give you strength. May God the holy and undivided Trinity guard your body, save your soul, and bring you safely to his heavenly country; where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.