Kids That Read...Succeed!

Before I get to the "reading" part of this post, I want to mention a quick prayer request for Kami.  This past week, Kami's doctor ordered an x-ray of Kami's finger.  We had thought that her joints in her hand were swelling due to her "mystery" illness.  It turns out that she has nodules growing in her joints.  We received a call from the doctor's office this week asking us to come in to discuss what was revealed on the x-ray.  We greatly appreciate your prayers for this matter.  Her appointment is on December 24th.

Kids that read...succeed !!!

It has always been our family tradition that each child buy/make something for each member of the family that we put under our tree.  It is always exciting to open special gifts from each member of our family!

This past year, we encouraged our children to earn money for Christmas in a very special way...READING!

For each book that they read this year (we kept a chart hanging in the kitchen), they would receive money.  Some books were worth $.50, some $1, some even $2.  It all depended on the size of the book.  The key was that the books had to be "spiritual" books.  (ie: Missionary biographies, ministry books, books on biblical dating, books on Prayer, or even how to teach a Sunday school class.)

Although it has been a very difficult year as the older children have had to spend much time taking care of the younger 3, preparing meals, helping move our family back to the States due to Kami's health difficulties (not to mention trying to accomplish school on a daily basis), they have managed to read quite a lot of books!  In total, they have read 36 "spiritually-related" books!

Not only did they get to earn some money for Christmas, but they were able to build spiritual strength from their daily Bible reading and from a wealth of wisdom contained on the pages of books written by Godly men and women. 

Until next time...

Our Temporary Address...

I have received several inquiries as to what address to use when sending cards to our family (for birthdays, holidays, & such). 

Please do not send anything to our FIELD ADDRESS in the West Indies...we don't have an address there anymore.

Our temporary address here in Florida while Kami is receiving her medical care is:

The Gimenez Family
17388 Allentown Rd.
Fort Myers, FL  33967

Thank you all for your continued prayer for our family...

Tropical Updates...

Here are a few highlights from the past 2 weeks:

- Josh, my mother, and I traveled to St. Barths for 12 days.  We were able to clean out our house and pack up our belongings.  A family of 8 reduced to 28 boxes...8 of which are small boxes filled with books!  We turned over the house and it was a sad "Goodbye" as we drove away not knowing what the future holds.

- We were able to sell our Suzuki 4x4 on the last day possible!  With this money, we were able to purchase a larger vehicle here to fit our family of 8.   We were actually able to sell our Suzuki for just slightly more than we purchased our "new-to-us" 2001 Expedition.  The Lord is Great! 

- While there, we were able to visit with Maria who had attended our Sunday Bible Studies from the very beginning.  We had prayed for her 86 year-old mother to be saved for a long time.  I tried to witness to her on several occasions but she always turned away our efforts to talk about Christ.  Maria asked me one day, "But if you leave, who will witness to my mother?"  I replied, "Maria, God has chosen you to accomplish this task.  It is you that needs to be a witness to your mother, for she will not listen to me."  With a great big smile while there this past week, Maria said to me, "I led my mother to Christ!  She accepted Christ as her Saviour!"   Amen!  We praise the Lord for this!

- Kami had to call 911 this past Friday for our little Callie Grace.  While at Grandma's house, Kami heard Callie scream.  As Kami ran into the living room, she found Callie unconscious on the floor, eyes rolled back but yet wide open, not breathing, and curled up into a ball.  Kami's first thought was that Callie had broken her neck falling and was in the arms of our Saviour.  As Callie began to turn blue/grayish around her lips and nose, Kami called 911.  After what seemed like eternity, Callie began to breathe again but kept losing consciousness.  The doctor said that she had the signs of having a seizure and she will be undergoing several tests in the next week to see if the cause can be identified.  We appreciate your prayers for our little Callie.  She is doing fine and back to normal but the doctors have said to keep a very close eye on her.  She hasn't been out of momma's sight yet!

- Kami has been on her antibiotic treatments for 2 weeks now.  Although the doctor doesn't think that the antibiotic treatments for the Latent TB will do any good for the real illness, we have noticed a difference!  Kami is now laughing again, has a sparkle in her eye, and is sleeping laying down w/ 1 pillow instead of sleeping sitting up w/ 3!   Over the past 10 months, when asked about pain, Kami has said that her pain level has never been under a 6.  Last night she said that her pain was a 1!  Thank you all for praying so diligently for my sweet wife.  We praise the Lord for some positive changes!

Until next time....