Georgia: June 9-12

We left California to fly to Georgia to begin Phase 2 of our trip. My parents met us in Atlanta, and Gerry took the wheel to drive us to the north Georgia mountains for the GPCIA (Georgia Peach Cochlear Implant Association) family weekend retreat. God graciously provided safety on the highways for my folks' journey from Orlando, and the trip northward on Friday seemed effortless since we had so much to share. We even missed our exit because we were too busy talking!

Our task at the conference was to give 2 presentations during the workshop times and to interact during the "free" time and mealtimes with fellow CIers and those who had come to investigate/learn about implants. Following the keynote address Saturday morning by Heather Whitestone, Miss America 1995, we spoke on the topic, "We're in This Together: the Shared Journey of Hearing Loss and Restoration". Gerry and I wanted to alternate in our sharing, using a back-and-forth style as we shared both personal experiences and practical suggestions. Being unpracticed at this, we asked God for smoothness and ease, as well as a clear testimony of God's design for marriage. We jointly felt His empowering and the prayer support of family and friends! We were reminded afresh that God keeps His promises! I noticed that Mom and Dad were misty-eyed throughout our presentation!

An interactive "rap" session was on the schedule following our talk in which we were to field questions and encourage the audience to share their reactions to what we had said. To think that I could actually hear people’s questions and could interact with individuals afterwards is nothing short of miraculous!