Gleanings for the Hungry, P.O. Box 309, Sultana, CA 93666 eliane@gleanings.org 559-859-4386

Thank you for all your continued support and prayers! Our time in Healdsburg was good in many ways, and I was so glad to be able to connect with all of Randy's immediate family. There were healing times, helpful conversations and also times to just be together. Staying with the Stines was a true blessing as well; we enjoyed the beautiful location and lots of space for the kids to play in. I’m also thankful for the church family at Calvary Chapel Healdsburg. Their love and support have been truly encouraging. Coming home, I felt exhausted emotionally and physically, and that's been a reoccurring feeling over the last weeks.

As I've been walking through the waves of grief, there are times I feel like I can't take it any longer. The pain of loss, nagging thoughts and the huge hole Randy left behind are more than I can handle on my own, but GOD has not abandoned me. Without fail, I feel His loving arms around me, reassuring me that I'm not alone. With His help I keep on going, take another step, and all of a sudden feel His peace again. In these moments I often think that somebody is praying for us right now. Your prayers are powerful!

The next big step will be a trip to Switzerland. We are flying out September 5th,

and plan to return January 9th. God has provided a friend of mine from Switzerland, Olivia, to travel with us, and I am very thankful for that. The girls and I will be staying with my parents on the farm where I grew up.

Gleanings summer fruit season is wrapping up this week, and the last summer staff will soon be traveling back home. It was a good and fruitful summer and I know God touched many lives - the ones who were serving with us, and the ones who will be eating because of the work that got done. I was blessed to see the completion of some projects that Randy started, including the landscaping at the RV sites.

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you

peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with

you all.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Timea is developing her fun

personality, filled with adventure,

joy and giggles.

Gleanings for the Hungry, P.O. Box 309, Sultana, CA 93666 eliane@gleanings.org 559-859-4386

Prayer needs

Wisdom as I set priorities on what needs to be done

before we leave

Strength for the tasks ahead - packing, cleaning and getting ready for the trip, etc.

Peace as I continue to work through the different emotions and waves of grief

Travel mercies for Olivia, the girls and me

For our time in Switzerland to be well-balanced with times of enjoyment, rest, being productive, family times, reconnecting with friends and family, etc.

For more healing, spiritual refreshment and clear guidance for the future

Some other personal thoughts Losing my husband has been the hardest thing I have ever experienced. It feels like my life has been shattered into thousands of pieces. As I try to put them back together, I quickly see that it will never work. It will never be the same again. In the midst of it, however, I know and I can feel that God is doing a new thing. I can’t see it yet, but I KNOW He is bringing beauty out of ashes. As I said before, I believe that the girls and I have a wonderful future, and a great destiny ahead. But right now, each step is difficult. I thank you for all your financial and emotional support, every card I’ve received, every note, every letter, and every prayer. That means so much!

As most people around me have moved on with their lives, it will take a lot longer for me to find a new normal. Please bear with me, and allow me to grieve at the pace I need to. It helps me to express my pain; it helps me to talk about it. But sometimes I just need to be left alone with it. Please pray for me to be able to communicate well with those around me. Pray that I can be the best mom possible for my girls, and that I will intuitively know what is best for them.

In all of it, I want to continue to love, bless and minister to those around me, but I also understand that this is a season where I need to primarily receive. It will change, so thank you for loving me through it. God’s richest blessings to you, His peace and His joy! With love from, Eliane, Liana and Timea Erickson

Lake Sonoma

Liana enjoys the outdoors and has recently learned how to ride her bicycle with training wheels.