Terry and I have served as missionaries since 1985. It seems like yesterday, yet it has been ages ago! When we first went to the Philippines, I served alongside him and cared for our children. For the last 22 years, he has traveled and I have stayed home. Inevitably, when Terry is gone, that’s when trouble happens!
This afternoon, I had great plans. After getting my housework done and working on my Bible study, I would spend time outside planting flowers, BBQing dinner and watch our “super moon ” rise with Mollie and Maisie, our two dogs and my constant companions.
Well, planting flowers took a while as I had to wet down and enrich the soil neglected by our hot summers. However, it got done. I was doing a final watering and rinsing of the porches when I felt something on my left ankle. Maisie was next to me, so I dismissed it as she was sniffing at my feet. I felt the tickle again and thought, hmmm…a dead leaf–then I did a double take, started leaping, dancing and shouting–YIKES! A giant yellow scorpion!!! (3 inches)
Granted, I know that the smaller ones are much worse than the larger ones, but it just isn’t my style to wear a scorpion anklet.
I was too chicken to step on him. I did think, ” Why, oh why do these things happen when Terry is away?” I did the best I could and picked up a heavy ceramic pot and used it to grind the scorpion into oblivion! (I hope).
If anyone would like to come and lift the pot to see if there are any remains, you are welcome to do so. I would even share my steak. I think I will pass on the “Super Moon” tonight just in case that yellow scorpion’s cousins are around.
I wonder if when I get to heaven, there will be rewards for missionary wives who have survived, fires, coups, rats , etc… while their husband was away. I can now add scorpion anklet to the list!
Hi Jeannie, Just got around to reading all of this email. Wow, can I
identify in some degree with you. I have had several episodes with a smoke hard wired to a high ceiling in the middle of the night. I live alone and had to tear it out of the wall, too. My sons told me I could had electrocuted myself !! Also, have had the mystery of the continuing beep that turned out to be a carbon monoxide detector lower level in room. It is so hard to be a woman alone, I am SOOO happy Terry is home and pray you will work TOGETHER NOW FOREVER! God bless you both and protect you both and give you much, much favor in every way for this new decade we are entering.
In Christ’s love, Sally Lerette from Prescott, Az. Solid Rock C.F.
Thank you for your prayers Sally! I often think of my mother. She never withdrew from a challenge! I recall going to see her, she was in her seventies, and she would be on the top of her trailer, working on her swamp cooler in the Arizona summer sun! I don’t think I can live up to her greatness!