Melissa Made It!

Hey, my dearest, most darling Siestas!

I'm writing you once again from the shot gun seat of my man's blue Ford truck via the wonders of my nifty internet card. Keith and I are high-tailing it down I-10 to the cactus ranch with Star and Geli in the back seat so that I can write like a maniac for four days. I am working on a project that I am very close to telling you about. You won't waste a prayer on me but, far more importantly, you won't waste a prayer on Melissa!

I finally heard from her a couple of hours ago and, after departing Atlanta Friday afternoon, she'd just made it to her hotel in Calcutta!

Oops. Keith just pulled us into a random convenience store in a town of 200 outside San Antonio because I've been whining about wanting a treat. We tried to stop at the infamous Buccee's right there on the feeder in Luling (yes, the mascot is a huge, buck-toothed beaver) but, as usual, there were ten jillion people there. I was so ticked. What on earth can I hope for here? I'll find out. Be back in a sec.

The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away and giveth again! You'll never believe that God secured ten - count them - TEN Moon Pies for my man right there on the shelf in that very store. I have never heard Keith say "the favor of the Lord" more times in my entire life. Needless to say, he's already called Amanda and left a message.

As for me, I was hoping to find one of those rare popcorn balls (not the normal caramel kind but the ones made with karo syrup) that you can happen on occasionally at off-the-wall gas stations where a good God-fearing woman makes them, wraps them in saran, and puts them on the shelf to make an extra few bucks. I'd pay her five. No luck. Apparently Keith is the one with the favor today. I got peanut brittle. I'll probably break a tooth and have to have a root canal and, where our ranch land is located, they'll probably use a roto-rooter.

Anyway, stay with me here. I'm trying to talk about Melissa. She's safe and sound and totally exhausted but thankful to be part of this incredibly important venture with Compassion. She'll have so much to tell us soon. Until then, keep praying for her and her wonderful team. For those of you who follow Angie Smith's wonderful blog, I'm sure you know she's part of this team, too. Shaun has really taken a stellar group with him to India to cast some much needed light on poverty-stricken children living in conditions we can't imagine. I'm chomping at the bit to adopt me some but I'm going to wait for Melissa to tell us a little bit about them. As you picture this team of Americans over there, picture them dealing with 120 degree heat! Even a young woman from Houston, Texas isn't used to that! They are undoubtedly in for an adventure and we'll get to tag along through Melissa's posts.

OK, well, I can't type and eat my peanut brittle and I'm feeling cranky for sugar so I'll sign off now. You know I love you like crazy.

Oh, my word. Keith just realized his Moon Pies are double-decker. He nearly drove this rig off the road. He's beside himself. Is there no end to what God will do for a man whose wife and daughter stole his pies?

ttyl!