The Next Step...

First, I want to thank you all for your prayers for our family.  God is working and we know that His ways are far above our ways.  

I am writing this update from a hotel room on the island of St. Martin.  The kids and I took the ferry boat last night over here to try to beat any rough waters that are expected tomorrow.  We will leave on JetBlue Tuesday at lunch time and arrive in Fort Lauderdale around 7:20 p.m.  I have rented an SUV that would fit all of us and arrive in Ft. Myers around 11 -12 p.m.  

Then, the very next morning, we will return the SUV and rent a smaller car for Kami & I to drive to Jacksonville, FL for her appointment at 8:30 Thursday morning.  She has an appointment with the Pulmonologist (lung doctor) at the Mayo Clinic.  He is going to review the images from the CT scan from several weeks ago and the images from last week's CT scan of her lungs.  He is going to determine if the nodules in her lungs and lymph nodes were there before or are aggressively growing now.  Then we will discuss the next step to determine if these nodules are indeed cancerous.  

We want to personally thank each and everyone of you who have helped us financially in our emergency travel expenses.  You have been gracious and it is much easier to concentrate on Kami's health concerns without having the extra stresses of many doctor's bills and travel expenses hanging on my shoulders.  Many of you have have helped to shoulder some of our burdens as said in Galatians 6:2, and we thank you for it.

We praise the Lord for you and will keep you updated...

Jumping out of 1 fire and into another...

Thank you for your prayers.  We feel so loved...  

Our update is with mixed emotions.  We praise the Lord that Kami does not have any blood clots (that can be found) and the doctor has ruled out Myeloma.  However, 4-6 mm nodules were found in her lungs on this week's CTA scan.  The doctor is very concerned that these are now present. This is the reason for Kami's dry cough, shortness of breath, and extreme fatigue.

He told Kami that these nodules were not noticed on her last CTA scan done a few weeks ago. With this finding and the elevated blood markers that show cancer, his thoughts are now leaning towards lung cancer.  Do you ever feel like you are jumping out of 1 fire and into another? 

He also mentioned to Kami that these could be a result of a yeast infection in her lungs (our hope). So the next step is reviewing Kami's last CTA scan to see if these nodules are indeed "new" and to talk about a biopsy.  She has an appointment next Thursday at the Mayo Clinic.  The 6 of us here on the mission field are going to try to make a return trip to the States to be with Momma & wife.  Please pray along with us for finances, safety, wisdom and good weather.

Looking towards our Heavenly Father...

Kami update...

Kami and I have talked so many times today and this week has provided a whirlwind of emotions, today was no exception.  Kami is exhausted and as we spoke on the phone she asked me to write a quick update for all of you who have been praying for our family.  

 Here is the doctor's diagnosis in a nutshell: "We do not know what is wrong, but we are concerned."  

Kami's blood work has returned with several things "out-of-whack" as usual. 

 - One marker in her blood that came back elevated is a marker for a blood clot. The doctor said that he wanted her to have one more CT scan to make sure that there is not a blood clot hiding somewhere in her body that has been overlooked... so Kami had this done at 2:30 this afternoon.  (Results will be discussed on Friday.)

 - Then there were 3 markers that came back elevated and this is what really concerned the doctor.  These 3 markers are indicators for cancer.  The doctor specifically named Myeloma as a possible cause due to the symptoms that she is having as well as the results of the blood test.  (Myeloma is a bone marrow/blood plasma cancer.)  The doctor ordered more blood tests to be done to try to diagnose the cause of the elevation of these markers in her blood and this was done this afternoon.  (Results will be discussed on Friday.)

 Needless to say, my beautiful wife is exhausted.  It has been a long week indeed for all of us.  We covet your prayers...

 Oh, by the way, I want to tell my mother-in-law that she is indeed a wonderful lady and we love her so much!  She has been nurse, chauffeur, and babysitter through all of this.  Sometimes she even answers her cell phone, "Kami's answering service...How may I help you?"   

Huge breakdown moment...

I have mentioned in earlier posts that Kami has been able to Skype with us quite a bit.  She has been able to "tuck" the two little ones in bed & sing to them, she has been able to be a part of missed birthday celebrations and also has been able to have some 'face-to-face' alone time with me.

Well, we were "Skyping" when the big breakdown happened.  Kami was singing to Callie her goodnight song when Callie turned and buried her face in her hands... so I brought the computer screen around so Kami could see her.  Kami asked her, "What's wrong Callie?"  Then it broke loose.  Callie screamed and the body-shaking tears just poured out.  Through her crying screams we heard her cry, "I want my Mommy!"  It was heart wrenching and needless to say, Momma began to cry.  Callie climbed up into her big sister's arms and just sobbed.  We all had a good cry....oh how we miss Momma.

Here is Kami (& Grandma) playing Domino's with Callie and Silas.  We line up the Domino's for Kami to see via the Skype camera and she tells Josh what Domino she wants to play and he puts it down for her.  It's not the same as having the "real" Mommy but Skype sure is a blessing!

Our "distribution" is going well.  This is where we pass out a packet containing a French Gospel Tract, a French John & Romans, and a French invitation to our Sunday Bible Study in mailboxes around the island.  We keep track of where we have been via this map.  The black represents where we have been.  The parts that we have left are probably the most difficult and also the most populated areas so we still have quite a bit of work left to do.

This last pic is of my x-ray of my vertebrae in my lower back.  For several days now, I have been literally, "on my back".  I went to the ER on Friday and had this x-ray done.  The ER visit is actually cheaper than having a doctor's office visit.  I paid 27 euros ($36) for the ER visit versus having to pay 60 euros ($80) if I had went to a doctor's office. 

 The x-ray was the most expensive part but I couldn't get the doctor to give me any medicine until I had it done!  As you can see, the vertebrae above my finger in the picture all have spaces between them.  However, my finger is pointing to the place where two vertebrae are pressed together and this is where all the pain is coming from.  I am on some "strong" medication to help with pain and inflammation.  The doctor is hoping that after a week of medication and laying flat, that I will be much better...if not, he wants me to come in for stronger meds. 

Thanks for your prayers for our family! Please remember Kami as she has several appointments at the Mayo Clinic tomorrow (Monday) and Tuesday.   Until next time...

Tropical Updates...

Do you ever feel like things get worse before they get better?  It has been difficult to say the least, not having Kami here as Momma & Wife.  We are going on 6 weeks now that she has been in Florida and we still don't have any answer to this "mystery" illness.  To make matters worse, I have had a pinched nerve in my hip that has been getting progressively worse over the past 3 weeks.  I went to the doctor yesterday and he said that I have  a compressed disk.  He did an adjustment and let's just say that I screamed out in pain when he "adjusted" the disk.  Needless to say, I have been side-lined to resting on my back for the past 3 days and I seem to be doing worse...but enough about me.  Here are some more important updates:

-Kami now has appointments at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL, next Monday & Tuesday.  South Point Baptist has graciously opened their Mission's Home to Kami, her mom and Micah during their stay there for the appointments.  Our hope is to get in to see the infectious disease specialists and get to the root of the problem.  Kami's pain now includes the left side of her chest and her joints are swelling and causing her a lot of pain.  There are times when she seems so weak and can barely keep a conversation when we talk with her.  The separation is indeed difficult.

- With me down on my back and Momma not here, the older 3 kids have really pitched in and are keeping the house running.  They take care of laundry, keeping Silas & Callie occupied, doing the dishes, housekeeping and most importantly...helping to prepare the meals of the day.   One of the most difficult things about the day is that all meals must be made from scratch.  There are no McDonalds here to be able to pick up some Value Menu hamburgers!   Josh, Beth, & Brenna have done wonders in the kitchen and their Momma has taught them well.  We try to take lots of pictures to send to Kami so that she can see how we are doing...here are a few of the pics we have taken:

Beth taking care of the sweeping duties...

Josh hanging laundry to dry in the bedroom...if it is raining outside, we have to hang everything around the house to dry!

Taking care of the nightly dishes chore....although Beth seems to be fanning herself while watching the other two work!  They always sing together when doing the nightly dishes and it's fun to hear them sing their parts with such joy!

One of the things we miss from the States is Chinese Take-Out.  So we have tried some cheap-to-make Chinese recipes lately...This is Chicken Yakisoba.

This is Terriyaki Meatballs over white rice...we used some chopsticks that Josh had bought.  He uses them to make some miniature St. Barth's-House Jewelry Boxes that he plans to try to sell.

Callie...not exactly using her chopstick correctly!  She just kinda "stabs" the meatball.

This is Brenna's Chicken Enchilada mixture.  She rolled this mixture into some tortillas, covered them with cream and baked them in the oven.  Wow!  They were amazing!

Here are some quotes from Silas:

"Daddy, can we go pick up Momma now?"

While talking to Momma on the phone, "Momma, can you please tell the doctor to please give you the right medicine this time so you can come home?"

Callie: "Can we Skype Momma so she can sing to us?"

Due to the technology of today, Kami has been able to Skype with the little ones at bedtime.  We take the computer into the bedroom and Silas & Callie climb into bed.  Then she sings to them and tells them goodnight while their see their Momma's video picture on the computer screen.  Callie has gotten teary-eyed and points to the screen and says with a quivering lip, "I want Mommy to come home."  Micah has twice been with Kami as she has Skyped during this bedtime ritual with the younger ones.  Both times he starts to cry as he sees his bed, his bedroom, and Silas & Callie... He points and cries as he shows us that he wants to come home.

Until next time...

I wanted to write a quick post about Brenna's birthday...She turned 14 last Saturday!  (I know I am a little late posting about it, but better late than never!)

Brenna is our third child...the second one that I had to deliver after saying, 'I never want to deliver another baby again!'  You see, she came so quickly (Kami was in labor for about 1 1/2 hours) that our midwife couldn't make it to our home on time....the same thing happened with Elisabeth as well!  It just so happened that when we called our midwife when Kami's labor started, she said to me, "I am 2 hours away, I will come as fast as I can!"  She made it 5 minutes late in both cases!

Brenna is our 'spunky' girl who loves to rough & tumble!  As a little girl, she loved shooting, play fighting, and  virtually anything outdoors.  She stills wants to go hunting and to kill her first deer! (There isn't any here so I may have to let her future husband take her hunting!)  All I have to say is, "No sissy boys need apply for her hand in marriage...he needs to know how to handle guns and act like a man!  She won't put up with a wimp and just might beat him up when their first fight arises!"

Momma, Micah and Grammy were all able to Skype for her birthday!

Brenna asked for a home-made apple pie for her birthday...

So Elisabeth called her Momma for some directions with the recipe and did a fantastic job!  It was awesome!  (Even had a 'B' for Brenna baked right on the top!)

At 14, we told our girls that we would purchase them a purity ring if they so desired.  This ring is a token of a promise made to God and to parents to remain pure until the day of their marriage.  Both of our girls (and Josh) have made this promise.  We gave a budget to Brenna and she began to search all the jewelry shops online.  She knew that she wanted a Peridot (her favorite color is green) and this is the ring that she chose.  I took her out to breakfast and we talked about this promise she was making.  We have talked about how many a young lady doesn't deserve to put on a white wedding dress which is supposed to be the symbol of her purity.  She understands that her purity is the best gift that she can give her future husband!

We love you Brenna!  

Tropical Updates...

It is hot...as in tropical-heat hot outside!  It is only supposed to get hotter as summer rages on.  Our A/C in our car has a leak and hasn't worked since this past December.  It wasn't bad during the Winter & Spring months, but we sure are feeling it right now! 

Our updates have been mostly about Kami for the past few months and it does seem as if our lives have been put 'on-hold' since Kami became sick back in February.  We miss her so much!  It has not been easy for Daddy to make sure that all the chores are done each day, that all made-from-scratch meals are ready to go each day, that the grocery shopping is done each week, that bills are paid, that the little ones get their showers, and that my messages are prepared for Sunday Bible studies.  No wonder God said that it is not good for man to be alone!

Well, here are a few updates...

School
- The kids have all finished school and mailed in their grades to Lighthouse Christian Academy.  They have successfully completed last year!  Yeah!  We now have 3 high-schoolers in our home!
We have ordered their schooling for next year and they will arrive at my mom's address in Florida.  Our hopes is to pay for an extra suitcase to fill with the school materials that Kami can bring back with her when she comes back home. (This way we wouldn't have to pay for a large shipping cost to get them here.)

Gospel Distribution
- We have passed out 1,241 of our Gospel packets directly into mailboxes on our island.  We load up a couple kids into the car, armed with a shopping bag filled with packets that contain a copy of John & Romans, a Gospel Tract, and an invitation to our Sunday Bible studies.  Then we drive up & down our mountain roads and let a kid jump out to put a packet into a mailbox.  Finding mailboxes can be a chore in itself.   There are no addresses here and an assortment of mailboxes can be attached to fences, rock walls, trees, posts, telephone poles, gates, or even just set on the ground.  They could be in a driveway or on the side of the road.  It can be a chore just to find them!  It wasn't too bad today except for the heat.  You see, the best time to get out and do this is between 1:30-3:00 p.m. in the afternoon.  Not that we love riding in a hot car...but because the roads are safer to do this at this time because people are at home taking their afternoon "sieste".  At other times it is just to dangerous with all the cars zipping by on the mountains.

Kami
- At Kami's last visit with the doctor, the vascular doctor told her that all 3 of the last tests came back fine.  So Kami mentioned that we have had several missionaries tell us about checking for Lyme Disease.  (We had mentioned this to the doctor here on our island and he just laughed it off.)  The vascular doctor was shocked that Kami had not been checked for this yet.  She told Kami that all of her symptoms are those associated with Lyme Disease.  So we were able to get Kami to the Blood Lab at closing time on Wednesday for a Lyme Disease test.  We will not know the results until next Monday or Tuesday. 

Please keep praying for our family during this trial of having Momma away.  We are all ready to get back to a sense of "normal"...what ever that may be!

Until next time...

Happy Anniversary to my Sweetheart!

19 years ago, I said, "I do!" to the love of my life.  It has been a wonderful 19 years!

We have grown up together, grown closer to the Lord together, laughed together, cried together, hurt together, and served the Lord together.  And Lord willing, we'll grow old together!

Our marriage has been fun, exciting and filled with adventures!  Here are a few reasons that our marriage is so special:

Kami has become an awesome cook!  Her apple pie is to die for!  

When we first got married, she really didn't know how to cook...one of our first meals was "split-pea lasagna".  Uughhh!  Not only had I never heard of such a thing, she used dried split peas in this recipe...not even bothering to soak the peas to get them soft.  What a crunchy meal!!!  When I asked her why she made it, she replied, "The picture looked pretty!"

Some may feel like marriage is a prison...but for me, I don't mind being locked-up with this amazing woman! 

Although there were times in our marriage where I thought about having her arrested : like when she made spinach brownies!  or cut up the new ATM/Debit cards instead of the old ones!  Or forgot her purse at a McDonalds in Montreal, Canada while we drove 8 hours away to a Mission's Conference!

We love kissing.  She's an amazing kisser!

Our kids are known for asking, "Do you guys have to keep doing that all the time?"

Life with Kami is an adventure.  Especially when it comes to hairdo's.  My hair is always the same. (Except when Kami forgot to put the guard on the hair trimmer and accidentally gave me a shaved "corn row" up the side of my head!) 

Kami has come home with striped hair, jet black hair, orange/yellow hair (not on purpose mind you), straight hair, permed hair, etc.  The kids and I always cringe when we hear the words, "I think its time I get my hair trimmed."

(Here we are picking apples.)

We love enjoying God's creation!  We love the outdoors and have always made time to go for walks, hikes, sightseeing, camping, fruit picking, picnicking, tubing down rivers, etc.  Our theme has always been to make marriage fun!

Did I mention she's a good kisser?  

When we have taken the kids to Disney World, it is our tradition to take our picture in front of the Castle while having a good smooch!

Happy Anniversary Kami!