May and in the USA

May 18th, 2012 First, I have to say, I have had some really rotten going with this program.  They have changed it and it does NOT work right.  So, please excuse the mess!!    I decided it was time to get an update out to everyone.  What a time we've had.  We really thought that after dealing with measles with Savanah, things would settle down and be calmer.  I am coming to believe that we should never assume anything.
We got packed up and on May 10th headed to the US for a 7 week trip.  We spent a day and half in Fort Pierce getting items we knew Vero needed, plus all the items for Abbie's birthday party.  Yet another year that we missed it.  Then on Saturday we headed north.  Wanted to make sure we made it to Wisconsin for our youngest daughter's graduation from college.  We are SO proud of her for the constant struggle it took for her to achieve this. She did a great job and deserves praise for her hard work.    The first day we made it north of Atlanta, GA, and stopped for the night.  Next morning we awoke to a storm.  But we knew we had to head on through.  You always want to believe you can drive out of a storm, right?  We had horrible rains all the way to just southeast of Murfreesboro, TN. (And saw 6 accidents along the way).  It let up a bit and we were really happy.  I told Don that I needed to stop and simply walk for a while.  It was really tense driving in that rain.  So, we  stopped at Wal-Mart to walk around.  Called our son and asked them to meet us for lunch.  (Our plan was and still IS, to spend some time with them on the return trip, so we wouldn't miss the graduation).  They came in and we had a great lunch where mom's ate free since it was mother's day.  And had some good fellowship time with the family.  Then got back on the road again...AND THE RAINS STARTED UP AGAIN!!  I made it as far as Paduka, KY, and then told Don we simply had to stop and get some sleep.  Signed in to the hotel and the sun came out.  Figures, doesn't it?  But we had a good night's rest. (Don said if he were driving =which he doesn't do in the US= we would have stopped and waited for the storm to pass).  The next day we made it to Wisconsin and got to our daughter's house.  Totally exhausted and ready to chill for a day or two before contacting anyone.  We arrived on Monday, and she was graduating on Thursday, so we had some "down" time.  Wednesday night, Don wasn't feeling the best.  Spent all night throwing up and really not well.  Called the doc's office on Thursday morning.  Got in that afternoon.  Had lots of tests and blood work, and then an ultra sound.  Doc came back in and said "I've set you up with a surgeon for tomorrow morning."  Don had a really bad gall bladder.  He came home on pain meds and went to bed.  I went to the graduation with our son and two grandsons.  Don's sister and her husband met us there.  We were so proud to see our daughter walk down and get her degree!!  (Don got to see the pictures we took of her).       Then this morning we saw the surgeon.  Within a few minutes of examining Don, he set up surgery for this afternoon.  At 12:30 they took him in for removal of the gall bladder.  He was back home by 5:00.  That is so amazing to me.  Major surgery to remove a part of your body and you are in surgery, out and back home within 4 1/2 hours.  Don had supper with us...he only had soup and crackers and apple juice, but after 2 days of eating NOTHING, he was happy.  This is just before he went into surgery...and his nurse (who was GREAT) wanted to be in the picture.  His first smile in two days!!
We serve an AWESOME GOD, don't we?  He walked before us these 8 days we've been in the states.  We are really happy this didn't happen in Haiti or on the road.  This whole situation was sort of a downer for our daughter's graduation, but we plan to make it up to her.   Please keep Don in prayer for a quick healing.  And pray for us as we continue our short trip here.  We have another grandson graduating soon, so we won't leave here until we are part of that, too.  The doctor sees no reason why we can't leave to return to Haiti when planned.  For that we are REALLY thankful.  God doing HIS thing again...seeing to our needs before we even know about them.   Also, keep Vero, Abbie and Savanah in your prayers.  We know it's not easy for Vero to have this added responsibility of Savanah while we are gone, but we praise God she is there for us and for Savanah.  And also pray for Savanah's adoption.  We don't know where it is right now, but God does, and we are depending on Him to see it through. Well, Don is sleeping soundly, FINALLY!  And it's time for me to do the same.  So, remember, God is walking with you when you turn your life over to Him.  And He walks before you, and has His plans in line to be what you need when you need it.  We are SO thankful that the Lord is a major part of our lives.  He truly IS an AWESOME GOD.  We pray you are in that place where God can do for you what He has done for us... keeping His hands on us and all we do.    Keep praising and praying and following!!!