Update From Kathy . . . Sister Pam.

   Ireland is lovely and green again and not so cold as it was a few weeks ago.  I [Kathy] find myself being very thankful for the window seat in our bedroom (see the pics below of my view and the chair).  It was just too cold to sit there for a while, but now I'm back to enjoying the view. I love that I can look out and see the Dublin mountains with sheep grazing and even a couple of old ruins right from my bedroom window!  It's a daily reminder that I live in Ireland.  It's been nearly three years since we moved here and we have grown to love it!  There are  many people who have become very dear to us. One of  my sweet friends recently said.."I want to begin the new year as I mean to finish it."  As I was sitting in my comfy bedroom chair gazing out of the window, I got to thinking about what she had said and decided that I would like to begin and end this new year with an attitude of thankfulness!  
  
   I am so thankful for my sister Pam!  I thought I had lost her in March, when she suffered a stroke but she's working so hard and is determined to get better. She has come such a long way and is a real inspiration to all of us!   Sometimes she feels discouraged because it's a long, rough road to recovery, but whenever we talk on the phone there's always something new and encouraging in her progress.  She walks quite well with a walker now and is able to walk on her own in therapy sessions, with someone right there to catch her if she starts to fall. Today she mentioned that she's been cleaning out drawers and made pumpkin bread with a bit of help from Carrie who is her caregiver during the day when her husband Dave is at work.  She's wanting to do more and more which is a good sign and her neurologist is very encouraged with her progress!  Thank you to all of you who have prayed for her.

   My window seat is a lovely place to read, reflect and pray, this year I mean to spend a good bit of time remembering to be thankful!  

 Our window seat at the foot of our bed where we can look out and see the Dublin Mnts.

 This is a bit of what we can see from our Window Chair.