Hey all

Today marks a year and a half since I got hit by a car.  I'm here in Indiana, my home state, visiting family and friends -- the first time I've traveled since before the accident as well as since separating from my husband.  It's been a tumultuous visit with lots of firsts and lots of sadness, as well as a bit of peace at times and acceptance from others at other times.

I have spent the past week soaking up time with dear friends.  I was able to visit what I consider my "home church" on Sunday and it was a solace.  I feel no desire to go to church in Colorado, but I think if I lived here again, I would be at Assembly every Sunday.

Tomorrow I will see my daughter for the first time in nearly two weeks.  Before that happens, however, I will be visiting my little brother in prison.  My mother and step-father are picking me up bright and early in the morning for that visit.  I haven't seen him for several years and have had only very brief phone conversations.  For a while we weren't sure that I would get visitor clearance in time and I'm so glad I'm able to go -- my mom worked really hard to make it happen and the people at the prison bent a lot of rules, I think, to get me in during my visit.

After our visit to my brother, we will pick up my daughter and go to my aunt and uncle's house to spend time with them.  I'm looking forward to having some relaxed time there and to seeing my cousins as well.  We will be there for several days.

This is some crazy hard stuff, some crazy hard times.  But again I am surrounded by goodness.

I've been working on a cross-stich pattern for my daughter -- beautifully colored butterflies on navy fabric.  I'll try to post a picture at some point, hopefully an "in-progress" shot.  I'm looking forward to giving her the presents I've collected for her here and there, as well as some fun presents from our friend Dara and two new books from our friend Becca.  I'm looking forward to spending time with my mom.  I'm hoping I can get presents wrapped before Christmas morning but I know that right now I need to be getting ready for bed so I can make it through a very full day tomorrow.

Blessings to you all on this cold and dark December night.