Linaewen's Lake of Small Birds

I'm back in Chicago after an extended time in Wisconsin, doing all kinds of things -- though my main reason for being there was my 35th high school class reunion.  It was a two-evening event, and we had a blast!  It was great seeing all my classmates, and we had a lovely time catching up.  Most of my closest growing-up-together friends were there, and we talked until we were blue in the face.  It was just a really good time.  :-)

Of course, I stayed up too late too many nights in a row and came down with a cold, but that's the way it goes!  So I have a rumbly cough now and a bit of a buzzy head.  But it's actually a relief in a way to have a real cough instead of that annoying one I have had for the past 6 months.  That one, btw, is dormant at the moment, due to taking another round of prednisone.  Nice to have some relief from that for now!  I'm going to the doctor for a physical soon, and we'll be sure to talk about the future of that situation.

Aside from the reunion, I got to spend time with other family and friends, and hang out in my old haunts a bit.  And I spent time with my DS for a day or two before coming back to Chicago.  DH was stuck down here the whole time by himself,  but he kept busy and was fine.

My Dear Husband is currently thinking hard about whether he should be going to Pakistan or not to help with getting relief efforts organized, particularly in the area where we used to live, which was pretty hard hit.  People with organizations that are collecting funds for aid are keen to have him help with that, as they need a rep like him who knows the people and the Pakistani staff who are doing the work now, and can assess the damage first hand and decide how funds should be distributed.  If he decides to do it, he'll probably need to go next month sometime.  It would only be a short term thing, but it's a significant decision!  Prayers and good thoughts on his behalf would be welcome!

It's time for breakfast, so I guess I better get a move on my day.  Have a good one, my dears!

Sorry I've been out of touch -- what with this and that going on and being at a conference this past week where the internet is unreliable, I've not been able to post much, or even read my friends list.  However, I'm trying to catch up as best I can today, while the wireless is working.

As you can imagine, we have been watching the news of flooding in Pakistan with much interest and concern, knowing that rain and flooding in the north invariably leads to even more flooding further downstream for those cities located near the Indus River -- as well as those connected to it via irrigation canals.

One city where we lived for 10 years was severely flooded recently, but we have heard that the property where some of our belongings are still stored is dry and safe, and some of the villages in the area were spared -- though certainly, others were flooded and I expect some people we know and call friends are struggling right now with loss of property and difficult conditions.

Just today we heard news of the other area in which we lived for the last 8 years we were overseas -- and that area has not fared as well.  One town where we know a number of people was entirely flooded up to the roofs of the houses.  All our dear ones seem to have made it out safely, however, so we are very glad about that.  But they will have lost everything.  In the city where we lived, our neighborhood was evacuated for a time, but the water was diverted and it so our compound for the time being is safe and dry, and our friends there are opening the place up to those who have lost their homes.  They are concerned, however, that the pressure from the flooding (which is still great) will compromise the canals which run through all the cities, and if this happens, those areas which are currently dry and safe will be in danger from uncontrolled water.  And more rain is predicted.  Normally, rain is a desired thing in this part of Pakistan, but now people are praying for the rain to stop!

I trust you'll all join me in lifting these people up and praying for their well-being -- especially for those canals to hold strong, and for those good people who are sheltering others left homeless to be encouraged!