Tropical Update...

This past week, we were blessed beyond measure at our home church's revival meeting!  Bro. Dave Sommerdorf was the special speaker and he preached from Sunday School to Wednesday night.  The only disappointing fact was that the 3 younger ones were battling colds and fevers.  So we had to switch out who was going to stay with the kids and who was going to babysit!  But for those of us who stayed home, we were able to watch the services on the Live Stream Broadcast!

The services were exactly what we needed and such a help.  Each night, we would gather together and talk about the services and the point(s) that spoke to our heart the most.  We all gleaned greatly and most importantly, we were strengthened and fed beyond measure...

Here are some more updates:

- Kami went to the doctor with a new symptom which was diagnosed as "Geographical Tongue".  The doctor told us that this is due to a weakened immune system and is normally a "precursor" to something else going on.  He said that there is nothing else that we can do but wait until that next 'thing' arrives.

- We are preparing for Joshua's Graduation!

 

It is not easy, putting together the slide presentation for his graduation. Going through all of family pictures and watching 17 years pass by in 3 1/2 minutes is not easy.  I have to admit that I feel like I am losing my right-hand man.  He has been accepted and is leaving this fall for Golden State Baptist College.  We are excited for him but also not looking forward to beginning a new chapter of family life -- one without the older brother to guide and protect...one without the oldest son to lean so heavily on during the times of trials.  Oh how we will miss him dearly.  Momma is already talking about having to fly him home for every holiday!!!

 

All are invited to attend his graduation ceremony which will take place at:

 

Winkler Road Baptist Church

5770 Winkler Rd.

Fort Myers, FL 33919

 

on : May 17, 2014 @ 6 p.m.

 

Thank you all for praying for our family!  Until next time...

 

Tropical Updates...

We have tried to keep our lives as "normal" as possible while on our Medical Furlough.  It has been difficult at times but God has been good through all of it!

Here are some updates from our family:

-- Happy Birthday to our Elisabeth!  We celebrated her 16th birthday on Friday! 

She is so precious and our most diligent child!  She gets up before all of the others to pray and read her Bible.  We never have to tell her to get her school accomplished or finish her chores.  She works without being told and does not stop until she is finished.  She will always come and find me in the mornings and give me a hug and kiss and says, "Good Morning Daddy."  This past week she diligently studied and passed the exam to get her learner's permit.  She could have accomplished this a while ago but in her words, "I'm in no hurry to drive!"

 

 

--  Kami is still faithfully taking her TB medication.  Her last dose will be in July and she will be tested to make sure that the latent TB is out of her system.  We really don't have an option about this, as the Latent TB (which was an accidental finding) must be treated before we can depart.  She had an appointment this past week with a neurologist.  We didn't exactly feel comfortable when he came in, barely speaking English and said to both of us, "Okay, who is Kami?"  Also, He could not remember the word in English for "chest" and basically tried to give us more drugs. We definitely don't feel comfortable with this doctor but he did order a brain MRI...kind of his last minute thought.  But this is the only imaging that Kami has not had yet.  We are having the results transferred to Kami's regular doctor.

 

-- We will be working at a Mission's Conference for one of our supporting churches on Sunday night.  They are only about 40 minutes away and they asked if we could provide the special music, give a testimony and then run a children's program during their main service which is after their mission's dinner.  Our older 3 kids will be running the program while Kami and I assist from the shadows!  It is great to have kids that are willing and capable of working in the ministry!

 

Please keep praying for Kami.  This "mystery" illness is taking its toll on her physically as well as emotionally.  She feels guilty that we had to leave the foreign field, as if it was her fault.  This is understandable, but as one of our supporting pastors said to her, "Thank you for being faithful in obeying God in being exactly where He wants you to be during this trial!"  Amen!

 



Gilbert's Syndrome...Praise the Lord!

Thank you all for praying for Joshua!  The doctor was very concerned that Joshua had a destructive liver disease but his blood tests came back today and he has Gilbert's Syndrome.

This is an absolute praise because this is a non-destructive disorder in which his body naturally makes too much bilirubin but it is not due to a liver disease that destroys the liver!

His symptoms of fatigue, loss of appetite, & weight loss will always be a part of his life...and also a permanent tan!  Due to the high level in his bilirubin, he will always have a darker skin tone and when he gets sick, he will have bouts of jaundice.  The doctor also informed us that he will always need to inform doctors of his condition before taking any medication because there are certain medications that he cannot take.  This is due to the fact that they would raise his bilirubin level to an amount that would cause liver & other organ problems. 

Praise the Lord for this big answer to prayer...Daddy and Momma can breathe again!

Father/Son Camp Night!

This past Friday (Feb 28), we had a WRBC Father/Son Camp Night!  Several weeks ago, I approached our pastor about having a camp night so that our men and their sons could have a time of fellowship with each other.  He was all "on board" and we began to plan our camp night!

This was our version of "Tent City"!  We had over 40 dads, sons, and grandpas attend the camp night!

We started off with grilled hamburgers & hotdogs!

It didn't take long for us to wipe out this mound of food!

 

The fellowship was amazing and who doesn't love eating in the great outdoors!

We set up 8 different Carnival Games that the little guys and their dads got to compete in! 

(I think that the dads were outplayed by their sons!)

There were prizes of candy and toys to all of the participants!

But most importantly, there were smiles and memories being made!

We then had a dads vs. teens basketball game...

Our Pastor jumped in and played a mighty fine game!  He's the one in the light khaki-pants and long-sleeve sweater...

During the basketball games, some of our College & Career men, held a soccer game for the younger boys!

They had a blast!

 

We ended the evening with a bonfire devotion and Smores!  The next morning, after trying to sleep in 55-degree freezing temperatures, we had a devotion around the fire and then filled up on a buffet of pancakes and sausages!  We couldn't have asked for a better evening, an evening that many sons & dads will remember for a long time!