Updates

Dad with cousin Greg

Well, I’ve been back from Yuma AZ for 2 weeks now.  My visit with him turned out great!  I was expecting to not even be able to say good bye when I left from Sentani.  He loves the Lord and is ready to go home to be with the Lord.  He is ready to be out of pain!

 Both of my brothers and my sister had arrived before me and were expecting to say final good byes.  God is not finished with my dad yet so he did not get called home. 

getting ready for first physical therapy session

My dad rallied and is now working toward getting out of the nursing home.  He will have to be able to walk 50 feet so that when he gets home he can make it into the bathroom even on days that he doesn’t feel like it.  Toward that end he has physical therapy every day.  When I left he was barely able to stand for a Nano second.  Now he is able to take 8 steps, 4 with each foot.

Dad with Ainsley



Brother Jeff, Mom, Brother Scott, Me, Sister Leslie

 Our oldest son Josh and his wife Allyl with thier daughter Ainsley visited over a week before I got there.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to spend time with my siblings in prayer around our father.  I know that the prayers of the saints on our behalf are what have caused this miracle that my dad is still alive.  We continue to pray for strength for our mom to deal with spending long days at the care home and strength for dad to make it home if that is what Gods’ plans are for him. 

Several folks from their church have been coming in to give mom a break.  We are so grateful to them for taking time out of their busy schedules to help out!  Dad gets so lonely when nobody is there.

On another note:  While I was in Yuma, the first day I lost a crown so I crossed over to Mexico to have it put back on.  They charged me $10!  What a deal.  My folks use a dentist there who seems to be well qualified.  It is a much better deal than what is available in The States even with insurance!  I had a root canal and crown put on a year ago by him.

Also the dry air in Arizona dried up my leg so now none of the sores from my accident are “Gooey” anymore! J  They are still pink and tender but healed up!

When I returned on Sunday, after I took a nap, I hit the ground running. We had a teacher in-service on Monday and school started on Tuesday.  I have full schedule including teaching math to first graders, ESL (English as a second Language) to 20 1st through 7^th graders in small groups.  And I also have a 3^rd grade computer class, a 2^nd grade PE and a KG PE class.  It is a very full schedule but I am having a ball. J 

This busy schedule keeps me from seeing our house helper.  She comes after I leave and leaves before I get back.  I am finding creative ways to show Christ’s love. Pray that I don’t get so busy that I lose sight of why we are here!