After viewing the "Windows of North Church" section last week, a friend from my college days was moved by the window called "The Lost Sheep" and responded to me. With Lucia-Lee's permission, I am presenting her reflections as the first item in "Reader's Response."

One of my favorite stories is about The Lost Sheep. In fact one of my earliest and favorite Hummel figurines is "The Lost Sheep." I frequently feel like a lost lamb, who needs a reminder and directions to find the right way home.

Today I received several reminders:

I found one reminder in the Elon University (formerly Elon College) alumni magazine. My how that place has changed! Now they have souvenir pieces for buildings that were built after my graduation. I am feeling old! The magazine is full of good happenings. Commencement speaker Kerrii Brown Anderson '79 grew up on a tobacco farm in Altamahaw-Ossipee. She is now CEO of Wendy's International, Inc. During my last trip near Elon, I went out to Altamahaw-Ossipee, NC to find Doc Reynolds' church. Dr. Ferris Reynolds was also my Religion, Philosophy and Greek professor. I spent some time walking through the church graveyard. I was looking for his final resting place, which I did not find. I loved him and his little church. He has been a very positive influence on my life. Just seeing the words "Altamahaw-Ossipee" brought back strong memories.

Another reminder came in the form of a message from a high school classmate, wishing health and happiness. Yes, it was a forwarded HELLO, but at least she was thinking of me, and that feels good. She is limited to a motorized wheelchair due to MS. It's been a long fight for her. She comes to all of our high school reunions and gatherings, always with a smile. Her late husband's unselfish loving dedication to and care of his wife was also an inspiration.

Then I was reading an issue of Guideposts magazine, while waiting for my breakfast to be served-after annual blood-work tests and before getting my car serviced. I read some inspirational stories and there was a nice idea. A lady wrote about a friend of hers who is a nun. The sister keeps a Prayer Bowl in her home. She places dated notes about prayer requests. During the day she reaches into the bowl and prays about the request, and says a group prayer for all of the requests and an overall thank you to God for all her blessings. She looks over the requests and considers which ones have been answered. The lady who sent the story has started her Prayer Bowl. I really like this idea and will try to incorporate it in my life. I am trying to organize and simplify my life, and this will really help when I want to focus on friends and family in prayer. Guideposts magazine is nice and small. I keep a copy in my purse and one in my desk at work. The stories are very uplifting.

Sorry, this was not supposed to be all about me. With so many people having much worse problems than I have, I should feel very lucky and happier. I've had health scares and worry about the future, but fortunately, I'm doing okay. (My mother had two radical mastectomies, as well as colon cancer.) I worry about my family. I have a son who is job-hunting and trying to sell his home to relocate somewhere with his wife and two children. That is the East Coast son. There are people really suffering in many parts of our world. Our military is trying to do its best to make this a safer world for the USA and others. I think about the trapped miners in Utah and China, and the people in the path of the severe storms in the Atlantic and Pacific. There are many strong forces and danger in the world, and I have to remember to feel lucky that I can see my path, even if I sometimes have trouble walking it..

When we lived in Longview WA in the 1970s, one of the ladies in our Presbyterian Church said she was thankful for her problems. This was during Sunday service prayer request time. When prompted by the minister for her reasons, she said something about someone else having more problems or more difficulties. Also her problems made her more aware of and thankful for the good times. I think of her often. I have forgotten her name, but not her influence. She has helped me keep things in perspective on many occasions, even today.

Thinking of sermons. One of our ministers had one titled "Being locked in a room of open doors." I heard this one a number of years ago. It was after my divorce and when I was having a tough time working full time and raising my sons. The sermon made me focus on the many opportunities that I was not noticing. They were just behind the doors. . . .

While I may sometimes feel like a lost sheep, I know that with friends, prayers and will, God will help me open doors.

(signed) Lucia-Lee McCann Booth