Thanksgiving in America today…I’m sitting here feeling sorry for myself… alone in the office…with parasites in my guts …

ah -the Peace Corps experience. My stomach aches as my memory smells the Turkey that everyone is showing me …back home.  

 I am so very thankful for this technology...cell phones and skyping!  

What a lift to see and talk with everyone!  What was it like years ago when the PCVs were dropped off on islands for two years...without these forms of communication?!  Thanksgiving came a day earlier here and I celebrated by marching down our city street behind a 30 piece police band (playing Christmas carols).  Imagine…”I’m Dreaming Of A White Christmas” here in Fiji!!  Yesterday marked the launching of 16 Days of Activism on the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children.  I was so proud to be part of the march and this Ministry of Women.  I’ve worked determinedly for this cause since the 1970s in America and can now look back at our progress!  So, in this ‘time warp’ -I am once again helping out, in the beginning baby steps, toward protecting the women and children.  Fiji has a long way to go…as did we in the 70’s. I believe that, with their profound faith in God and their beautiful loving hearts, the Fijians can make the same advancement as the Americans have made. It is my observation that Fiji is carried along by the women…so it is time that they are protected and allowed to show their strength.

I have only about seven more months here in Fiji…and I’ll be back in America.  Seems impossible and surreal…how two years have gone by so fast!!

I am anxious and scared about returning to America…but working with Arielle on wedding plans- will be a sweet place for me to land.  It was by faith that I came to Fiji...knowing that God had a plan for me here and boy what an awesome plan that was!!  And I have to keep reminding myself that God is still carrying me and will show me the next steps to take.

I’ll write more soon!!  

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!