All in All

As promised here is the video of our sweet Kylie singing while 'Jolly' played for her a couple of weeks ago at church!  I grew up with this same talented guy in the back, playing for me and there are no words to describe how my heart felt while watching these 2 perform!  

(I couldn't get the high-quality video to load due to size so pardon the quality.) 

When I listened to the video for the first time I cried when I heard my own voice assuring, "It's ok", when she paused.  Despite losing her place in the song, she picked right back up and kept on going.
Oh, what I gain from being her Mama!  At 7 she teaches me....... oh, how she teaches me.

How grateful I am that my Jesus continues to say to me (over and over)...  "It's ok...  keep going..."  

You are my strength when I am weak...

To give up I'd be a fool....

Rising again, I bless Your name!  

"We know that He gives us every grace, every abundant grace; and though we are so weak of ourselves, this grace is able to carry us through every obstacle and difficulty."

~ Elizabeth Ann Seton

Cousins, Grands & some Mississippi activities (1)

Aside from visiting doctors and drinking yucky stuff for tests this past week, we enjoyed lots of family time!  

We had some great American food and YUMMY ice cream (and chocolate that didn't melt if not refrigerated).  We savored every minute of each WARM shower and LOVED that we have CLEAN tap water for brushing our teeth.  

We got to be a part of a Haiti Benefit Garage Sale in McHenry.  

**Thank you to all who participated!!!**  

We've been fishing, swimming, bowling, trampolining and had enjoyable car trips on SMOOTH, paved roads.  

We've worn long sleeve shirts cause it's cold everywhere we go indoors (ha!) and I've snuggled down deep with comforters at bedtime.

We had fun at the Children's Museum on the coast!

Caleb and Brendon showed us their cool trampoline poses!

And Caleb and Colton were finally reunited again! 

 We had church with Mammaw and Jolly and a few others we love...

 And Kinley didn't seem to mind that she was the only one dancing 2 Sundays in a row!

(Kylie sang this week but I haven't been able to get the video to load... will try again in the next post.)

Mom snapped some photos before everyone changed attire after church this past Sunday...

And we even documented the unplanned matching black and white dresswear...

The kids had a blast at Murphy's Farm!

Aunt Cammer is too much fun!

Daddy (aka 'Jolly') prepped my bowling shoes....

...and I got to bowl
with the greatest bowler I know!

Two of my favorite guys grilled lunch one day even though it rained...  

  

and Caleb was caught snuggling with Bandit even though he's "not a pet person".  

However you choose to sleep tonight,

we hope you rest well!  

Night night!

J

So thankful!

Thank you so much for praying us through the last week! 

I will never believe that prayers are just words that don't matter...I felt the prayers you prayed last week and I knew when that 2nd plane touched down Tuesday night it was those very prayers offered up on our behalf that paved the way for us to get here!  These kiddos were pleasant and flexible and a joy to travel with!!!  (A huge bonus when Mama is sick and Daddy can't be there!)

I've seen 3 doctors since arriving in the States, (thanks to my mom and my sister-in-law, Cameron) and after changing meds (and being in their company) I am already feeling somewhat better!

Sunday night, we enjoyed some family time (though we REALLY missed 2 of our favorite family members) at the bowling alley with our friends from McHenry First Baptist Church.  The company and entertainment were good medicine but I couldn't help but get teary as I watched the kids relish in some first-world fun!

We are hoping to have answers after I have some outpatient tests run this week. Maybe we can move toward complete recovery soon after that is done!  In the meantime, we'd love to know you are continuing to pray alongside us!  

Here are some specifics requests:  

*Please continue to lift up our immediate family as we are separated by many miles and lots of water.  We miss John and Cabila so much!! 

*Please pray for me as I undergo thorough examinations and testing this week.  (nerves, anxiety levels, accuracy, answers and overall healing)

*Please pray for our kiddos - all 4 of them - as they are filled with their own anxieties and questions during this time.

*Please pray for Caleb, Kylie and Kinley as they reconnect with some friends and our family here in Mississippi.  They've waited on this visit for a long time!

*Please pray for John and Cabila as they serve at the Guest House this week.  I know their hearts are with us and that they are concerned about what is going on here - I pray that they are encouraged right where they are, especially while we can't all be together.    

*Please pray for our extended family as they love on us while we are here but also prepare to let us go again when we head back to Haiti.  We know that our job in Haiti is anything but easy on those that love us most.  

*Please pray that all of our hearts will be open to what God is doing in this current set of trials.  Sometimes it's hard to focus on anything but the trial but we want to see Him above the trial and that doesn't just happen without determination and the Holy Spirit.  Oh God, that we would see You in this! 

*Please pray for peace of mind and for our spirits as we seek to be still and know.

THANK YOU!!!  We continue to thank God for you!

"Your prayers move God to change the world.  You may not understand the mystery of prayer.  You don't need to.  But this much is clear: Actions in heaven begin when someone prays on earth.  

What an amazing thought!"

~ Max Lucado