Praying friends,
Has it really been three weeks since our last post? And, can it be? This entry does not contain "Cassie" in the title? What's going on? Well, we guess that means that we are starting to re-focus a bit on regular life, so-to-speak.
We are throwing this picture of us taken by some friends on a recent hike. See? Life does seem to be getting back to normal! This was are first real time out since Seattle. Boy, was it fun! Don't we look like a couple of tourists, or what?
Cassie is doing well. It's been over just over a month since here surgery, and she is doing better every day. It seems a bit see-sawish at times, however. The combination of sometimes "forgetting" that she is still recovering, and medication madness - - is a pretty good one-two punch.
There are days when all is well and Cassie has a pretty normal routine. And then there are days when she seems to pay for the over-exertion from the day before. PRAY that we will take however big or small steps we need to take in this. PRAISE the Lord that she has had no seizure episodes.
And we never really thought too much about what it would be like taking her OFF medications - - meds she has been on in one form or another for 4 years. It's more than just a gradual reduction that is the problem. We were used to that un the OFF/ON routine of weaning off of one med and onto another. One of her afternoon meds was cut down quite a bit. No problem. But cutting down the morning med a similar amount sent her in a nausea tailspin all day!And she has also had a few other problems, also related to medication reduction. On top of all that, taking her off Anti-seizure meds also can cause seizures . . . . And you know how confusing that would be. It feels like an old combat movie where we are walking in a mine field . . . . Moving along cautiously a few steps at a time. PRAISE the lord that there seem to be more good days than bad days nowadays.
Things at Alaska Christian College slow quite a bit in the summer. Kris is just in a few hours at New Hope Counseling Center a couple a days a week. ACC Students are most all home for the summer. Work teams will be coming and going all summer. PRAISE the Lord for the end of a great year of a great group of students. Future leaders in native communities across the state.
Gary is still teaching an Adult Sunday School Class. Finishing up Gatatians and moving into Ephesians in two weeks (He's always wanted to do Gods Electric Power Company - Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians - straight through). He has also been voted back on the Elder Board at church. He server for a three year term once before and has been off for a few years. He was recently honored at a LOVE INC (Love In The Name of Christ of the Kenai Peninsula) banquet recently, for all the computer work he donates to that organization.
PRAY that Gary will be able to continue making some money doing computer work. Our support is down a bit, but Gary does best when out in the world, anyway. He really enjoys it. Keeps him sharp, spiritually - - always being ready to give a reason for the hope that is in him!
Finances are always a challenge. But only in that we lack faith to believe that God will care for us. We are "scooping up the manna - - one day at a time." His provision is always there.
PRAISE - Chelsie, our oldest daughter, is back from a year in Indiana, already working at the Cannery she worked at last Summer. She surprised Kris on her Birthday! She had told everyone that she was staying in Indiana for the summer - - just so she could surprise Kris. Gary would say how that just wasn't right, but she sucked him up in her little scheme the week before. This picture was taken shortly after the surprise!
We love each of you. Thank you for sticking with us. We are not out of the woods yet in regards to Cassie. But . . . . Out of the woods, in the woods, Hollywood, or the backwoods . . . . God is good, all the time!
