Welcome

by Melanie Henstrom

The national convention was amazing. I so enjoyed every part of it.

Thank you to all who put this together and obviously spent sooo much time. I especially enjoyed making friends with the other young mothers. It was so amazing to get to know them and their stories they had to tell. I was honored to be among them.

Michele came to my home in May and we held a literacy night. Michele taught us about how we can help our young readers. It was amazing. I wished I would have learned this information earlier in my life when my children were all young. I would think it would be very beneficial, if at all possible for Michele to do a write up about what she taught us and insert that into our AMI newsletter. Invaluable information. THANK YOU MICHELE for coming and serving us that night!

The Oregon City Parade was a lot of fun. We were fortunate enough to have a handcart to sit in and my husband and Michele's son-in-law pulled us through the entire parade. My children and a couple of Michele's children and grandchildren walked the parade with us. We threw candy and had a great time. The theme of the parade was pioneering and we actually won the theme award.

On Mother's day we went to the Grotto and were very much treated to a special day. They took great care to make us feel special by giving us a flower and special name tag. We were asked to sit up on the stand and participate by bringing the sacrament up. Michele gave a wonderful speech and I was glad that it wasn't me speaking in front of hundreds of people. The Catholic church made us feel very special and honored us by naming everyone there and what honor we had been given. It was a very special day. ( My husband has some great pictures that I will send within the week)

The service I have chosen to do is to help babysit at the homeless shelter in Tigard while the parents attend life skill courses. I have gone a few times and have been very touched by the people I have met.

The lady that I am helping babysit with is nearly 80 years old and has been doing it for years. She has such a kind heart and you can tell she loves these little children she is trying to help. I have loved getting to know her and have felt good about helping the children to have a good time for the few hours that I have them.