Please Pray Again March 17, 2008

*NEW UPDATE*

:: Thursday, March 20th ::

I’m sorry I haven’t updated in a few days. I’ve been so busy and very, very tired…I think I’m past tired actually. I am ashamed to say I almost fell completely asleep twice today while teaching piano lessons. It was beautiful music…it was all their fault. Ok, ok….it’s pitiful and I’m horrible teacher, I know!!!! *big breath* Ok, so here’s an update:

Erika was released from the hospital on Tuesday evening after they drained her stomach. Everything is fine now. Apparently she just had all this fluid of some kind in there that got infected, but she’s doing well now…resting and trying to take it easy.

Winston has had a few issues with his incision but nothing hospital worthy. He’s going to the doctor on a regular basis and seems to be doing fine with treatment for that. Hannah is continuing to recover well and she and Winston are both doing a good job of taking it easy. (Aunt Mori sees to that. *wink*)

Mrs. Cristy is gaining more and more strength every day. She’s been able to get up out of bed and be in a wheelchair and even walked a bit as well. This just amazes me when I hear all the things she’s doing each new day. God is GOOD. What a miraculous testimony she’ll possess. *smile* Keep praying for her as I hear that despite her health getting better, her spirits are down quite a bit….as any of us can imagine. The Lord is her Shepherd and I know she is relying on Him through this but between the situation she’s in plus the medication that adds to the down moods, it’s a struggle for her.

Today was so so gorgeous. I was going to take my two little charges to the zoo and before we got done planning the trip I had a host of willing helpers to accompany me. *smile* We had Me, Trey and John Mark, Jon and Sarah Beth, Aaron and his little sister Angel and their 2 yr. old cousin (now best friend to Trey, lol) Ryan. What a group. We had the BESTEST time ever. It was good for the kids to get out of the hotel for a while and enjoy this lovely weather. We spent the morning in the zoo and left to have a picnic intending to go back into the zoo and finish looking at animals…well, when lunch was done and the boys started running all over and the quilt on the grass began to look more and more comfortable and inviting, we decided to call it a day for the actual zoo and stay put. (If you can call chasing three active little fellows all over staying put anyway. *smile*) Ahh, so perfect. I got some pretty adorable pictures of said active little boys who are so cute and pictures of the equally cute faithful chasers. You can see them here: www.picasaweb.google.com/ewychopen Enjoy!!!!

Thank you for praying!!!! Have a GREAT weekend!!!! )))HUGS(((

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:: Monday, March 17th ::

We were at the Hotel today with the kids and Aunt Mori had to take Erika to the emergency room. They noticed that her stomach was swollen and hard and she said it was hurting. So they called her doctor who sent them to the ER. They did an ultrasound on Erika’s stomach and she has a lot of fluid in there. She is back in the hospital and they have her on an iv and might put a tube in her stomach to drain it out. They aren’t sure what the fluid is yet but we should know more tomorrow.

Mrs. Cristy has been really down the past two days. The medicines that she’s on make her really low and discouraged not to mention the whole situation and now the added worry for Erika. Please pray for her.

Winston and Hannah continue to improve but Hannah was taking Erika’s situation kind of hard tonight. They just want to get home and get back to some semblance of normality and it’s frustrating when you feel like there’s been another set back. Just continue to pray for physical and emotional strength through this time.

*New Prayer Request*

I forgot to mention this yesterday. Another heartbreaking tragedy…Please pray for some old friends of ours the Coates family. They went to church with us years ago and during that time lost their Dad to cancer. After Mr. Coates death, the children were taken away from their Mom and they had to go into hiding to stay together. It was a very scary time but everything finally got worked out. This family has already been through so much and we found out this past weekend that the son, Isaac (age 19) drowned while visiting his sister and her husband, who are missionaries in Honduras. I don’t understand why these things happen and life just seems to get harder and harder and more heartbreaking but I just have to cling to the fact that God must do the things that bring Him the most glory and us the most growth. Please remember this family in your prayers.

Thank you for your prayers and I’ll keep you updated…