HI MY SWEETIE; yes you tell your new friends we are rich. We are rich in our friends, and families. You my little one are rich in your heart, as you give of yourself in everything you do. I know you will leave part of your heart with those you work with and attempt to help. Yes my child you are rich, I just hope everyone sees this is you heart. Now for more good news (I'M STILL BIGGER, therefore I can say I Love You More). Had a good day and mom told you what we did. What a job in the garage, it seemed they wanted to reload the new garage, but I wouldn't let them. I kept telling them, lets wait till the construction is done.
My little love, I am still in amazement in your accomplishments and your desires, and of course your dreams. Boy is Brian lucky. Let him know he can't have you completely, but I will agree to share.
I pray for your safety and your dreams while you are there helping others and yourself.
Love ya.
Dad
Hilary
Hey lana!! I can not believe you ate some of a poor ostrich!! lol...thats funny, i give you props though bc id never try that!! i hope your having fun now that ur finially there!!! well last night dad, mitch and me cleaned the garage out!! i cant believe how much stuff was in there!! my back has been so sore all day long!! but were getting reid of alot...thankful that yard sale was cancelled cause i was WAY to sore to go this morning!! i went to dereks sisters dance recitale(sp), it lasted for 3 hours!! and im sorry to say this but dereks sister just isnt made for dance!! lol...now im home and about to go to bed!! lol...well ima try to figure out how to recored desperate and extreme house bc there both 2 hours!! well i hope you had fun today/night what ever it is over there!! i love you and ill write you tomorrow!!
Mom
Eleana, so your new friends come from money, or a wealthier background than others you will meet in South Africa. I know it is difficult for some to succeed in certain cultures unless the opportunity is given to them. A child cannot chose who he is born to, but can only pray for the support of those he meets along the way. Most parents do the best than can. Remember what Hilary Rodhem-Clinton said, "It takes the village to make the child." So you have taken a piece of your village to another village. Together you will make a difference. I have told your dad that you will leave a piece of your heart in South Africa, and I have no doubt that when your mission is done, you will want to go back to leave more. God Speed. I love you, mom.
Mom
Well, it's Sat. night here. I took some cold medicine and fell asleep on the couch for a few hours. When Dad got the old computer tower hooked back up, we had an email from you. How exciting to meet and share another culture with the local young adults just like yourself. I can't believe you ate ostrich and pumpkin potatoes. Sounds interesting. I'm just glad you tried it! Good thing you set them straight on the "millionaire" family thing. Wouldn't want them to expect us to drop in sometime in our private helicoter. ha! We went to Dachia Pone's wedding. It was very nice. About 200 or so guests. Since I had been sick all day, we didn't go to the reception. Kristen & Ja'lisha were 2 of the 7 bridesmaids. The candle burns...good night my sweet Lana, love you mom
Uncle Nick
Elana
I an so sorry I couldn't get to the reception. Your mom gave me a candle. I am going to burn it every day for 1 minute. If you can you could bring me home one of those kitty cats with the big manes, but before you bring him home be sure to house break him. I will try to e-mail you as often as I can, I know you are going to be very busy with training and learning so I won't be upset at all if you don't answer as often as I know you would like to. I don't know if your mom or I told you but I retired from the hospital as an employee but I am staying as a volunteer. For one thing to keep an eye on the "BRAT" Hillary. Always remember Uncle Nicky loves you.
Dad - And I'm Still Bigger
Lana, my sweet young SMALL lady, some day you may be as big as I am; than you might be able to love me more, BUT I GOT YOU NOW. The phone call was nice and reassuring, and you could actually hear the excitement in your voice. I'm so happy for you, your journey, travel, excitement, and of course your lessons this journey will bring to you. May God Bless and watch over you as I see and talk to you in all my prayers.
I love you more of course; cause I'm bigger.
Love'
Dad
Katie
Hey Eleana!! Hope all is well with you and your travels! We miss you but are so excited that you are able to experience your internship in South Africa! Stephanie gave me this link to your journal entries so now we all can keep up with your adventures! How is Gavin doing? Tell him we all said "Hey!" when you get the chance. I hope your "going away" party was a lot of fun. It was nice of you to extend the invite to us. Well, I'll try and not blab on because I'm known for that but be safe, have fun and soak in everything! I'm so jealous :) Take care Eleana!
Mom
I was awakened this morning by a telephone operator asking me to accept a collect call from Eleana. WOW! Of course, the operator had a friendly voice, but the next voice I heard was the sweetest voice from my Nene. You're in Africa...South Africa. I can't believe it! I couldn't go back to sleep after hearing the excitement in your voice and how wonderful you sounded about the mission you are on. I'm so glad the Wellness AFrica Group is treating you so well. Sharing their homes is a great honor for a stranger (soon to become a part of their group). Yes, You & Gavin are paving the way for other interns that may go to South AFrica to give of themselves. God Speed my daughter! You are so loved and blessed. Share your love and plan yourself on the WORD! I love you, Mom
P.S. It is raining, so the yard sale is on hold, probably to be cancelled. But we need the rain.
Eleana
Hi everyone. Thanks for the messages. I really enjoy knowing what is going on around home. Hilary could you record Desperate Houswives for me. HAHA. I don't think they get it here. But they did get Grey's in London they are just a few weeks behind. It was funny I saw a big billboard advertising it. It comes on Thursday at 10. And good job on your report card. You can do it!!! Don't worry about everyone leaving you for college because I cam coming home and I am so much more important than them!!! I hope the GS yard sale is successfull. Dad still I don't care if you are bigger. I love you so much more, and Brian said that he would love me no matter what so I think that includes be being bigger than you. HAHA. Mom I didn't have any coffee in London but I did have hot chocolate at a cafe and it was really good. They have a million Starbucks in London it was crazy. Brian I love you and miss you bunches. Thank you to everyone that writes me. It is fun!!!
Dad -- I'm Bigger
HI my Sweetie;
Right now I'm dragging buttocks. Hil, Mitchell and I have been working on the old garage sinse 5PM, and it's 10 now. We were trying to get mom some things for her Girl Scout Yard Sale, which I was just advised I get to help. I'm so excited, I donate most everything, so I guess I must work. I really miss you, poor Brian, I know our love is different, but I love you more, I'm bigger. I hope your flight was non-eventful, and you were able to get some sleep. I did not hear, did Gavin get his other luggage?
It's just been 3 1/2 days, I can't imagine many more days without my sweetie. Thank you for my e-mail, it made my day.
Well got to go, sore and tired (worked to much), but maybe it will be worth it later on; I sure hope so.
See you everynight in my dreams and prayers. As hard as you try, I love you more I'm bigger, and if you get this big, Brian will be disappointed.
Love you bunches.
Dad.
Mom
Well, you are somewhere over the Atlantic or northern Africa by now flying to the HUGE continent of Africa, and the unknown to you. Sorry the airport shuttle missed you and Gavin so you had to take a taxi for $80. WOW! But you made it and you're on your way. Thanks for the brief call from the airport as you were boarding your BA flight. Guess you'll see a couple of movies, eat some, sleep some, but mostly be excited! I am for you. I figure you'll get there about midnight our time, maybe 1:00am, but I'll be waiting for your call. I'm leaving work now for the weekend. Love, Mom
Hilary
Hey lana, im SO glad to here you got ur luggage back, i know right now, ur on a planr flying to africa, i hope everything turned out good (since ur getting this when u get there)!! dad said you had to pay $60 for ur taxi, that stinks!! well sorry i didnt get to write you yesterday, drama, the story of my life!!! only 12 more days of school left!!! im glad but sad, bc everyones leaving!! at least next year ill have you at school w/ me!! got my report card...lol...i did really good except for in precal, but oh well im trying and thats the best i can say...you missed a good csi and er!! i didnt think about taping them for you but i just might start now!! well i love you and ill talk to you later!!!