When we had finished at the Ross store, it was late enough for lunch. A Panera Bread store was close by, and we all enjoy eating there. It was nice and breezy, so we ate outside near the water  fountain.                                                                     
  

Then there was more "shopping". This time both Helen and Melvene tried on - but not so many at this store! It is a unique store, in the fact that nothing is over $8.97.(Might be $7.98- I can't remember. Know it was under $9.00)  Most of the items are not sold anywhere else, and often are copies of things worn by actors and actresses in movies. The owner wanted to make nice affordable clothes for those who do not have a lot to spend. He grew up making choices between two needs, because there was not enough money to go around.

 The next store won't have any pictures posted, although I think they took more there than anywhere else! We stopped at David's Bridal to check on a slip for the bride-to-be. I mentioned that if I would try on any dress today, it might be one in here. They found a wedding gown and veil - and we had a blast!!   NOOOOO - not one picture on the internet! (One day I will have the scrapbook for this weekend done, and then you may come and look.)
    The next stop was Krispy Kreme - although the hot light was not on. We usually make the rule to stop only if it is on - they are extra good then. Helen remembers helping her brother late at night working on cars - then heading to KK for hot donuts before going home to bed.
    We find all kinds of ways to "shop". Our sister in Georgia needed some blue for a wedding coming up, so Melvene took pictures and sent them to a cell phone there. They took a look and made a decision. Where there is a will, there is usually a way - works for us!

We had planned to go to Freedom Weekend Aloft and watch the balloons and the fireworks before heading home. A couple Goodwill stores found us looking for the bride's slip, none to be found. We went to Simpsonville to eat at Cracker Barrel. We were seated near a window to see the balloons lift in case we were too late for them. The meal was good and we relaxed from our busy day before leaving. We needed all that "fuel" for the next leg of our day!!

 I had a nice surprise when I spoke to my youngest sister. Our sister from Tennessee was coming over to do some shopping for her daughter's wedding!   They agreed to come for Sunday dinner, and I used some items that have not been used in a long time!   The glasses were a gift to me when I graduated from high school forty years ago! (I plan to attend that reunion in June) The gold flatware was a gift from my mother several years ago. We had a lovely time together.                                                                       

    We got to discussing our lives, and I mentioned how there were a lot of things that are in storage - but were no longer needed by me. They realized that it included my stash of material - and began to go through it all before I could/would change my mind!  (They would check with me to see if they had gotten anything that I may really want to keep before packing it into a box.) I spent the time scanning pictures of the groom-to-be so a slide show could be made for the reception. We had toasted cheese sandwiches, home canned peaches, and chocolate milk for supper. That was a favorite when we were children at home.

    We met in Belton around 10 AM for breakfast - really good pancakes with lots of choices for syrup. Helen and I had to try our hand at the puzzle that one of Melvene's friends had been working. We got a few together, and Helen was able to complete a large section late that night.

    We were really serious about the dresses and all the effort she was using to model for us! There will not be any of the dresses that did not look well for all to see, but you can believe me - there were some shouts of laughter when she modeled a few of them!  Each of us could take eight items to the dressing room - and we each did - several times!

PS - Pray for Elizabeth - she is sick. Came down to IFM to check for malaria - negative. Must go check for hepatitis tomorrow.

I have had a very busy week, but wanted to let you know that Elizabeth is back in Soliette. Everyone and all the animals were safe! She has been very busy cleaning trash from the school yard and around the area where she lives.
This Thursday, she will have two teachers from Canada come and stay for two weeks! They are coming to teach Bible School! Wonder what they will think when they return to Canada. She wants them to experience the real thing, the way she does, but is nervous about it I feel. Pray for her as they learn to know each other and she interprets for them in Bible School.
I'll update later on the last couple days of my life. It has been a hoot!

Elizabeth called to let us know that the ones "in charge" of her decided to send her down the mountain to IFM. She will be staying there until May 18. She also mentioned that the witch doctor may not be coming!  but the voodoo is still planned for the whole week.
Please continue to pray for the teachers and Christians at Soliette during the next two weeks.

Corrie Ten Boom once was known to say "If a problem is too small to pray about, it is too small to become a burden"
I want to remember that as this Thursday arrives. Elizabeth has let us know that the witch doctor is coming to her area and plans to spend a week before leaving.
Our church is taking the matter to God, asking that He would find a way to keep the witch doctor from arriving. We are also praying for the protection of Elizabeth, fellow Christians, and all the students.
The teachers are planning to spend and hour and a half each day with the students the next two weeks, telling them Bible stories the whole time. We need to remember that the students have only known the way of the witch doctor, and are babes in the knowledge of God.
I will try and remember that it can be a "prayer" for me, and let God take care of the "burden"