Safe Travel to Moldova...

After many hours of preparation by the whole team, with wonderful support from our church family, friends and with many promises for prayers, our team put the final touches on packing before heading to the airport and traveling for about 30 hours to reach our destination in Chisinau, Moldova. 
 
We're all safely here, have had a delicious supper, have unpacked all our baggage and with fresh showers are getting our first night of sleep here.

The house is quiet and my pillow is calling but wanted to send these photos to share the start of our time in Moldova.

It feels like "home" for me and I'm so thankful to be here.

Part of the team packs supplies in Kerrville on Thursday afternoon...

 

 

Carefully weighed each bag to check and all made it through the check-in the next morning...

Handsome husband, John, along with Lonnie Rollins load our boxes of supplies.  Lonnie got up early Friday morning and drove us to the airport also.  Thanks, Lonnie.

A few family members along with Greg Pechel who took the pictures, came to see us off Fri. AM at 6:30.

Found a spot for breakfast at the San Antonio airport after our smooth check-in...

Our team doubled in Atlanta with 4 Richmond, VA Wordens - the first Moldova trip for 2 of them...

Next stop was Frankfurt, Germany.  Travel took its toll on these 3 stalwart men...

Hope I don't get in trouble for these shots.  But I am sure you wanted to see how hard we're working so far...

Air Moldova got us safely to our final destination....

Still smiling but eyes hardly staying open...

Shirts to match the airline.  Not bad...

Made it through customs in Chisinau and we're now ready to load the van for the Team house...

Traditional Team photo with the city in the background in the front of the airport...

After a delicious supper at the Team House, a Campus Crusade couple stopped by.  This couple are Moldovan missionaries to Russia and were very recently in Richmond, VA where they attended our son John's church and later visit in their home.  It was a very sweet chat before this couple leaves for ministry back in Russia.

God has answered many prayers for our safety and ease in travel.  All of our bags made it to Chisinau but one carry-on was left at the airport.  We assumed the worst but have learned the bag is at the airport and with proper proof of ownership tomorrow, it will be back with its rightful owner.  Very grateful for that.

Beginning the week...  Needing serious sleep...

Make Known Among the Nations...

There are just 3 more days before my departure for Moldova with a team of 9 others for our CERI mission trip of 2012.  I have just composed the following letter to this dear team.  I share it here so that others may join in prayer for us during our week together with the special children and adults God will gather at the camp where we will hang out for a week outside Chisinau, the capitol of Moldova.
 

Dear Team Moldova 2012,

As our final days before departure are flying by, my heart is full of gratitude that the trip I am about to take will be done with a team of people whom God has called together for this occasion.  I am really looking forward to the time we will all be together around the dining table in Chisinau for our first moments as a complete team.  I feel very confident that we will bond quickly and be godly servants who show love, encouragement and support for each team member. 

These Bible verses have been meaning much to me lately:

Isaiah 12: 2-5

Surely God is my salvation;

I will trust and not be afraid.

The Lord, the Lord, is my strength

And my song:

He has become my salvation.

With joy you will draw water

From the wells of salvation.

In that day you will say:

“Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name;

Make known among the nations

What he has done,

And proclaim that his name is exalted.

Sing to the Lord, for he has done

Glorious things;

Let this be known to all the world.

Psalm 86:9

All the nations you have made

Will come and worship before you,

O Lord;

They will bring glory to your name.

I know that each of you is busy packing and finalizing all details of your preparation for this trip.  I’m trusting that the Lord will guide and provide for each of us.

Let your family and friends know my blog address which hopefully will be updated daily during this trip.  http://johnandlindaworden.blogspot.com

Please let me know if you have any further questions or comments.

With Hope in God’s Strength and Faithfulness,

Linda L. Worden

For blogs written during our previous annual trips which began in 2005, you can begin to read here.

Tribute to my Mom...

Mom's been gone from this earth since Dec. 18, 2009 and I still have moments when I want to pick up the phone and call her. She loved talking to her kids and never was too busy to linger in conversation. She listened well and also shared the "news" of her life with all the details and usually with some bursts of laughter. She was a wonderful mother and I am grateful for all that she imparted to me.

There are five of us who share her DNA.
Her first child was my brother Jim.

















I came next nearly three years later.


















I was followed eighteen months later by my sister Kathleen.


















Next came my sister Barbara with only fifteen months between her and Kathy.



















And then we were complete when my sister Margelyn arrived three years after Barb's birth.


We all joined in June of 2009 to celebrate Mom's 90th birthday where we took these photos as we celebrated her long life. I would have some more special days with her as she declined in strength until the middle of December when she breathed the last of earthly air and began life in the presence of Jesus whom she had shared with me and so many others. The smile each family member received as we entered her room will never be forgotten. I am grateful for many things including the fact that she never forgot her own children nor our families.

Mom wasn't perfect but she loved her family and I'm grateful she was my mother. She held nothing back when loving and guiding us through life. I am blessed because she was my mother. I could not have chosen better.

Thanks, Mom, for sharing yourself and the Lord you loved and served with me so that I could spend a lifetime loving and serving Him also. I miss you but I know where you are and I can only imagine that you are "kicking up your heels" with Dad and having a blast!!! And hopefully the cows don't need milking every morning and evening to interrupt your fun times with family and friends!!!

A New Journey Begins...

Two days before I headed to Europe in March, I accompanied my husband (45 years) to an appointment with a neurologist who diagnosed his physical tremor symptoms as early stage Parkinsons Disease.

A second opinion appointment with a Dr. in Houston, TX, confirmed the diagnosis.

Following that appointment, John composed the following message for many friends and family members.  He has given me permission to post that here as well.

John Worden in Kerrville writes:

Easter, April 2012

Dear Extended Family,

 SHORT VERSION: 

After experiencing occasional tremors in my right leg over the past several months and progressively elsewhere, I have been diagnosed with early-stage Parkinson’s Disease.  I need to decide whether to start taking a recommended medication to moderate symptoms, or delay medication and participate in an observational research study to identify biomarkers of Parkinson’s Disease progression. This is obviously a bump in the road of the otherwise good health I have enjoyed for 69 years.  We live in a fallen world and Christians are not immune to injury and illness, but I firmly and unquestioningly trust my Redeemer, our Risen Lord Jesus Christ, victor over sin and all its consequences and in the goodness of His Father.  My hope is in the grace of God, not in good health, nice as that is and much for which to be grateful. I am confident, too, of the support of a loving family, friends and the community of faith in Jesus Christ. 

LONG VERSION:

In Summer 2011, I began to notice occasional tremor or quivering in the muscles of my right leg when sitting at rest.  The condition continued into the fall when I mentioned it to my primary care physician at my annual physical in October.  By March the phenomena seemed to occur occasionally in my left leg as well, and I noticed my handwriting needed to be more deliberate.  I mentioned the symptoms to a doctor friend, and he urged me to see a neurologist who specializes in movement disorders.  On March 14, 2012, just days before Linda left for Europe, I saw Dr. Ron Stotz, M. D.  in Fredericksburg, TX.  After a 2-hour appointment, during which he asked  numerous questions, took an extensive medical and familial history and observed my responses to various commands, he offered a diagnosis of early-stage Parkinson’s Disease.  He explained that there is no laboratory test for PD, no blood test, no spinal fluid test, no CT scan, no MRI, no genetic or other test to definitively diagnose the condition.  And there are several types of PD.   That which manifests itself initially with tremors often progresses more slowly, but PD is a chronic, progressive, neurodegenerative disease for which there is no known cause and no cure.  Several medications are available to treat symptoms.   PD does not appear to be hereditary (I do not know of any family history of tremors; do any of you know of such Worden family history?)  It is not contagious.  It seems to occur randomly and sporadically in both men and women and more frequently in those over age 60; average onset is age 55.  However, Michael J. Fox was diagnosed with PD at age 30.  Patients with PD generally live an otherwise normal life span, however, as the disease progresses, mobility and both large and small motor skills are affected.   PD occurs when brain cells progressively fail to produce dopamine, a chemical essential to  communication between the central nervous system and muscles.  Dr. Stotz suggested that I begin taking Azilect and gave me physician’s samples for an initial month, but recommended that I not begin the medicine if I was going to seek a second opinion.   He offered the name of  Dr. Joseph Jankovic  www.jankovic.org  at the Baylor College of Medicine Parkinson’s Disease Center and Motor Disorders Clinic in Houston.  Sarah and I traveled to Houston on Sunday afternoon, April 1, and I saw Dr. Jankovic on April 2 after an intensive interview and examination by a Fellow in the Neurology Department, Dr. Melissa N. Kagnoff, M.D., M.P.H..   Their opinion confirmed Dr. Stotz’s diagnosis.  They have asked me to consider participating in a 5-year clinical observational research study to identify biomarkers of Parkinson’s disease progression, Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), sponsored by the Michael J. Fox Foundation.   After initial screenings, participation in the study would require quarterly trips to Houston.  Preferably, participants in the study would delay medication for 6-12 months, but should symptoms become disruptive to work and/or functions of daily living medication could be started sooner.  Linda will return from Europe on April 17 and then we will decide whether I should begin taking medicine or apply to participate in the PPMI study.  Our prayers for wisdom in that decision will be appreciated.  And any comment, observation or recommendation will be welcomed as well. 

I thought it best to share this news widely so you will not be surprised or puzzled if you observe Parkinson’s symptoms in my movements.

LONGER VERSION:

www.Jankovic.org

www.BCM.edu/neurology/parkinsons/index.cfm?pmid=14193

www.Parkinson.org

www.pdf.org

Added note from Linda:
We have decided that he will begin the process to determine if he is a candidate for the PPMI study.  

We  came to Houston yesterday for several hours of intake information gathering.  We are still here as today he is having a DATSCAN.  This is a brain imaging procedure which will determine if he has a decline in dopamine in the brain which will be quite a clear indication that his tremors are caused by Parkinsons Disease.  Results will be available by next Monday.


I hope to update this new journey for us on this blog.  We are not afraid.  We are confident that the God who has been with us all our lives will continue to be with us through the unknown future.


We are saddened by this news but are grateful that many family and friends are praying for us and offering support should that become necessary.


One sweet blessing is the offer from a niece in Houston that welcomes us to her home whenever we need a B&B there.  We enjoyed a delicious supper and long conversation after the little ones were in bed last evening.  


Now for the 4 hour drive back to Kerrville.

Heading Home From Zurich...

Breakfast in Dudingen...  Still overcast and rainy...

I arrived home safely around
1 AM on the 18th.  I had been traveling for about 22 hours - 4 planes, 5 airports.  All went smoothly and home was a welcome sight - especially the man with whom I've shared over 45 years of married life.

I have taken care of some basics - sleep, bookkeeping, grocery shopping and will now post a final blog to share the last photos and stories of my wonderful month in Europe as Tour Nanny.

Amazing fish in the lobby of the Renaissance Hotel in Zurich...  That was my destination after Earl, the drummer had been taken to the airport for his return flight to Berlin, Germany.

Sharing the excitement with Cozzie also...

"Wish I could get in the water with the fish.  Mama?  Papa?..."

"Yeah!!!  Walking on the wall around the fish pond!"

Watching the trains from the window in Grandma Lee's hotel room.

Last moment of togetherness is coming.  Must have hugs and photos...

Love these guys...

Mama catches some great smiles....

We're taking our time before the last Good-bye....

Papa loves his boy...

Treasured times for a whole month....

It was noon in Zurich when we decided the time had come to say Good-bye.  Son James and his family had a long drive ahead of them.  They would continue from Zurich to Prague where they would return the rental van, spend the night and fly back to Detroit from there.

I had a flight to the states from Zurich and would spend the night there before my return.  Having my "last" hugs, kisses and photos wasn't so easy but it was precious.  It had been a wonderful month together.  Lots of great memories have been made. 

My son left me with instructions to enjoy myself at the hotel.  Eat what I wanted, have dessert and put the cost on his generous send-off.  Since it was cool and rainy outside, I spent most of the afternoon in the hotel reading and enjoying a little BBC TV. 

Bouquets of white and green asparagus...  locally grown vegetable delight!

 The hotel had a Thai restaurant with an interesting display at the entrance.  I didn't stay and eat there but I did get a photo of the white and green asparagus which is currently in season in Switzerland.  We had eaten some the day before in Dudingen.

Such delicious molten chocolate within this delicacy...

I had light fare at another restaurant option in the hotel for supper and decided to take my son's advice to "have dessert" when one of the options included molten chocolate on the inside of a delicate crust.  It was very delicious and I wasn't sorry for yielding to my son's suggestion.

All went smoothly as I was shuttled to the airport the morning of the 17th. 

Guess what!!!  The skies had cleared, the sun was shining and I saw mountain tops.  My best view was after take-off as we climbed above what clouds were still in the area and saw gorgeous mountains all around.  My camera was in the overhead compartment so no photos were taken.

I had a comfortable trip home - some sleep, some reading, some TV movie viewing...

I am very grateful that all went well for this full and fun month of travel and team work.  It is not a small thing that there were not accidents on the roads or troubles with the vehicle. Thanks to God for answering prayers and guiding us throughout the days of this tour.  It was very special and I'm very grateful that I could be part of the tour and the lives of my child and his family.

I have plans to be in Detroit the end of May while MBD goes to Australia.  Will probably post more Granny Nanny blogs at that time.

Thanks for praying and following this European journey I've had.

Zurich Hotel...

I am in the Rennaisance Hotel in Zurich.  Lovely hotel but not free wifi.  I have 30 minutes free and have printed my boarding passes and checked my email.  I may do a blog update after I return to the states.

All is well though saying "Good-bye" wasn't easy.  Had an emotional moment as I talked to the nice lady at the front desk about a couple of things.

Will add some photos when I have more time.

Thanks for your prayers as we all travel long distances tomorrow.

From rainy, gray Switzerland,  Grandma Lee off duty

Lausanne to Dudingen, Switzerland...

Aware that the last full day with my family was beginning this morning, I decided to get a few shots with my guys after breakfast.

Lausanne was a lovely stop - hotel, Jardin Botanique and the experience at the Cully Jazz Festival for MBD.

We took time to show Papa and Mama the play area where Cozzie spent sweet time yesterday since we were not in a rush to leave for Dudingen.

But the day was rather cold, very cloudy and rainy and therefore our entertainment came inside the hotel for Cozzie today once we arrived in Dudingen.

Captured a great Cozzie smile...

Wearing a Red Wings shirt as they're having a play-off game today...

"I'm ready for this to be done..."

Flowers for MBD at yesterday's show...

Another area of the Jardin Botanique which we didn't see yesterday...

Spring is just underway here so there'll be more beauty as the season unfolds...

Having fun showing Papa and Mama the Archimedes Screw set up..

Cozzie was getting tired so we headed to the van and to Dudingen.  Cozzie was asleep quickly and awoke an hour later when we arrived at our next hotel.  It proved not to have been enough sleep, however, so he was ready to finish his nap as soon as we found our room.  He slept until 5:40 PM and woke up in a good mood.  Papa and Mama came back after sound check and arrived just as he was ready to get out of bed.  He showed them how he can get out by himself.  He usually gets to sleep in a sleep sack and that prevents being able to "do the splits" and get his leg up to the top of the bed.  But he is agile and fearless. 

"I can get this leg over without too much effort..."

"and the rest of me is over without any help!"

Cold, Gray, Rainy day...  View from the hotel window...

Note raindrops on the window glass...

Must be a beautiful city but we only saw it through the hotel windows today...

Lovely chimes on the hour from this church tower...

A few minutes for Father and son to catch some of the Red Wings play-off game.  Oops, 3-2 not the Wings today.

 So this final whole day together was a little disappointing because of the weather but we still had good times together inside without seeing the glorious mountain vistas which must be all around here.  We had a spectacular day as we drove into Switzerland last Wednesday.  I didn't know then it would be the only day to see clearly the mountain tops in their full grandeur.  But because I did have one day of seeing clearly, I know those mountain tops are still there and will be enjoyed fully when the sun shines again another day.  It may well be for other people to enjoy after I've left the country but I do have some photos and my memories. 

Life is not always lived experiencing or seeing the glories of the mountain tops but when life obscures those scenes, we can know that the mountain tops are there and when the sun shines again, we'll see and experience that beauty.  And as someone said, "the gardens are loving this weather!"  That's so true.  There'll be bountiful harvest of flowers and vegetables and fruit when conditions have provided for their nurturing needs.

We will drive away from here at 9 AM tomorrow morning.  Earl, the drummer, has a flight to catch in Zurich around noon.  I have a hotel room there as my flight to the states leaves from Zurich Tuesday morning at 10 AM.  I will arrive in San Antonio just before midnight Tuesday night if all goes as scheduled. 

James, Shara and Cozzie will travel on to Prague tomorrow to turn in the rental van.  They will fly to Detroit from Prague on Tuesday.

I hope to add a word tomorrow from Zurich - if the hotel has working internet access.
Until then...

Jardin Botanique in Lausanne, Switzerland...

Cozzie and I were sleepy heads this morning and didn't get up until a little after 9 AM.  We headed for breakfast when we were ready and found a beautiful buffet of yummy food.  Mama and Papa joined us before we finished.

Papa took Cozzie with him as he rode the train to the parking place for the van.  They returned to load for the activities of the day around noon.  Soon Papa and Mama left for the day.  The show would be at 3:30 then there would be dinner for them plus they would probably take in some of the other groups performing here for the Cully Jazz Festival which is a week long event.

At the entrance of the Botannical Garden...

So Cozzie and I were on our own for the rest of the day.  First thing to factor in was a nap for my sleepy little guy.  He fell asleep easily and slept until 4 PM. 

While he napped, I decided to check some Lausanne maps, literature and do some on-line search to see what might be of interest within walking distance of the Alpha-Palmieres Hotel.  I narrowed it down to the Jardin Botanique or the Tour de Sauvabelin.  As we were ready to leave the hotel, I consulted a gal at the desk about my options.  She highly recommended the Botannical Gardens as she said it was a 5 minute walk from the hotel and the other place would require a bus ride to get there.  It was also threatening rain and perhaps I didn't want to go so far away.  She said there was a children's playground there so that's where we decided to head.  It would prove to be a good choice.

Not sure there'll be time tomorrow for a stop at the Tour de Sauvabelin so I may have to return on another trip to see this:

- in the middle of the wood, a 35 metres high wooden tower overlooking the city of Lausanne which invites you to enjoy a magnificent view of the Lake Leman, the Jura mountains and the Alps.

But since we had a very cool and heavily overcast day with sprinkles happening quite often, we were better off fairly close to our hotel home. 

Have my little fellow pretty bundled up for this outing...

Pushed him to the top of a fairly high hill and had nice panoramic views of Lausanne...

A little sad that the mountain views are hidden...

Found an amazing play place for children.  Started our time there on a horse with 2 little girls and their Papa...

Cozzie enjoyed the ride...

He really enjoyed this slide though it was fairly wet until he and some other children made some trips down...

This circular item has many climbing options.  The slide is behind Cozzie.

There's actually a better view of this play place in the background of the above photo showing Cozzie on the horse with the 2 little girls.

I heard about the use of an Archimedes Screw for a children's playground from a teacher in Kerrville, TX who got a grant to have one installed on an elementary school playground there.  This above installation dwarfs the Kerrville version but this is a wonderful way for children to play and learn physics at the same time.

Children and parents were playing with this today...

Elaborate item for children.

Money well spent in my opinion...

A Garden must have flowers but this one has a very special flower who appears to be holding a ball....

Even more beautiful on a chilly, gray day...

Hasn't God designed magnificent tulips?

Could the Flintstones have left something behind?

A little too advanced for Cozzie but other children were enjoying this contraption...

Several swing options...  He has a head; it's just down and covered by his hood.  Swings are a little new to him.

This was his favorite.  When I stopped pushing, I heard, "Again, Again..."

 After being in the chilly, drippy weather for over an hour, we decided to head back to the hotel - about 10 minutes at least to push a stroller and climb the steep hill to the hotel.  This place would keep a person in good shape.

We changed into dry clothes, read some stories, ordered food from the hotel restaurant for our room, had a bath and got into our jammies.  We've had a good day.

Talked with James late this afternoon for a few minutes and he said the show was fantastic - a really amazing performance, audience and setting.  He says Lausanne has lots of very interesting things happening here and people involved in them.  He's sorry I'm missing the excitement of the venue but I'm not so sure I'm sorry I'm missing it.  I'm pretty happy with my assignment.  How could there be anything more interesting or exciting than building a relationship with a Grandchild with whom God has blessed me?  I'm content.

We'll leave here at noon tomorrow and head to the last place for a show on this tour.  Our together time for this trip is drawing to a close.  And going home will also be sweet.