TWITTER-STYLE CATCH UP #1 - MELISSA'S ABSENCE

The past couple of weeks have been full - and, as always, when life gets hectic/interesting around here, this blog gets rather quiet!  But I definitely wanted to do some updating before Christmas Day arrives (especially since two days later we'll be enjoying a one week visit from my younger brother, Russ, and his family - and I'll have all kinds of new stories to share, no doubt).  

It's been a full month since I wrote a "Part One" of an open letter to my young friend, Seven, about Daniel and his neighborhood ministry. And I was already backed up at that point with events I wanted to share here!

So now to get caught up, I will challenge myself to post a sampling of photos from the past five or so weeks with a "tweet-sized" explanation.  (For those of you who aren't familiar with Twitter: This means my captions have to be 140 characters or less, Mom.)

(And I'll get back to you, Seven, soon about Daniel - I promise.  I will definitely be telling you about a Christmas party we'll be hosting for his kids on the 31st!)

We have to start all the way back on November 18th - the day we celebrated Thanksgiving here with our missionary family, since the REAL date was going to be a normal workday at Cowman School, as elsewhere across Haiti.



Stacey Ayars hosted a memorable, beautiful afternoon together @ her home on the campus of Emmaus Seminary. 




Big kids' table. Turkey and dressing and all the fixings.



 So blessed to work, live, serve & love w/these fine folks!



Painting spree: boys' room, girls' room and master bedroom.  Best part: discovering Caleb is old enough to help man the roller!



THEN, blood pressure, irregular heartbeat issues flared up for Melissa just before REAL Thanksgiving.  Back to Indiana for her, for 2 weeks over the holiday to rest and see doctors.




I'm Mr. Mom for 2 weeks. With Melissa gone, a rat moves into our closet, wakes me at 6 am on a Saturday. Must die.  



Trap him in a box, tape it shut, & set it on fire.  He escapes through the flames. Doesn't come back. (Psalm 118:17a)

For 2 weeks I juggle cooking, schedules, work, bedtimes and spiders, but all worth it for Melissa to get to see the doctors, family and ... Santa.



Preached at the English Bible Fellowship Thanksgiving gathering - on being more thankful for knowing the Giver than receiving the gifts.



Plus, baked a cake and brought mashed potatoes.



Melissa was keeping busy too...



With Mommy gone, nights were restless.  Sarah fell out of bed and banged her knee on the tile floor one night.



Melissa got to catch up with several friends,like Beka, home from serving the Lord in the Philippines the last couple of years.



Mikenn got to celebrate his birthday while at Cowman School - where he is working as a substitute teacher now!



Mr. Mom even baked him a cake...



After nearly two weeks' absence, Melissa came back December 8th.  Co-workers and students were anxious to get her back.



But not as much as her family.

We are praising God for Melissa's opportunity to visit with family and friends and to see some specialists, get tested and find some relief from pain and fears.  We are praying some changes in medication will take care of her blood pressure issues. So far, so good.

We were all so grateful to have her back with us - just in time to prepare for all the special Christmas season activities coming up...