Praise and Prayers...

Hello again,

Well, we are still in COLD, rainy Wisconsin.  Seems like it will never really warm up.  But it probably will warm up once we leave here.  Down in the low 40's at night and doesn't reach much into the 60's very often during the day.  

And we were watching the horrid weather in Oklahoma last week.  It seems there is destruction all over... and all over the world.  Are we closing in on the end time?  I think that may be happening in the not too distant future.

Our time here will slowing down and ending soon.  I had my teeth taken care of (and a crown put on), and that was finished yesterday.  Praise the Lord for our home church helping with that whole situation.  And then there is Don's eyes... wow.  This has been an experience, for sure.  We were scheduled to have the surgery in Marshfield in May.  Well, Don did have his eyes examined there, and had some major problems taken care of (explained in previous posts).  Then the surgeries were moved to July... and the story went on and on.  With the help of a friend, we were able to contact the surgeon near our area here.  So... final on that one... Don had his surgeries last week... yes, both in one week.  This guy was great.  For those of you who know Don, know he has had very thick heavy glasses for YEARS.  And technically was blind without them.  Well, we left the hospital after the first surgery (on Tuesday) and he started ready license plate numbers to me, without glasses.  And then after his appointment on Thursday, for the second surgery, he was really happy.  He was reading things I couldn't see, from quite far away.  He will still probably need glasses since he has double vision, but that is not a problem.  He will need reading glasses now, too, and that is fine.  We are still overwhelmed with the surgeries.  He sees the surgeon one more time this week, then it's back to his eye doctor for a check up and then the next week for his final appointment for glasses.  We are still on the plan to leave here the end of the first week of July.

But we have also been blessed by our family and friends in the area here.  It's been an awesome and refreshing time for us.  And we have been here for some birthdays, graduations and some other special times. 

One grandson in Alabama, Nathan, graduated with honors this year.  So proud of him and his accomplishments.  Way to go Nate!!!

Next was another grandson, Daniel.  He received scholarships for his academic excellence, too.  GREAT job Danny!!

And then another grandson, Mike, mapped out his future and joined the National Guard.  We are so proud of him, too.  It was a hard decision, but everyone is behind him on it now.  (Harder for girlfriends, too!  But Sarah is a trooper to stand behind him).  

 

And our final praise... our grandson Peter will be returning to Haiti with us, for a few weeks.  We are so excited about this, but more excited about his desire to be involved in missions, wherever the Lord would have him to go.  

We've been able to spend some quality time not only visiting, but praying with our kids and asking the Lord to be with them in the many problems and situations they are facing.  We know God will hear and answer, in the way He wants them to go.

It seems the Lord may be opening another door (or 2) for me, Karen, in Haiti.  I'll get into that in the next blog, but am a bit in awe how He has put things in my path for this. 

So, now we feel our "roller coaster" ride may be over and we can start on working toward heading home soon.  Lots to do and many decisions to make, but also time to regroup and get things rolling toward home.  It will be hard to leave everyone here again, like always, but we know we are doing what the Lord has asked.  And we miss our "family" in Haiti, too.  Get to talk to them once in a while, but it's not the same as holding the little ones and sitting and praying with the adults.  

Lots of prayer requests to insert here.  

• Pray for the healing of Don's eyes to progress as it should and that there will be no problems.
• Pray for finances to be there for the bills that come with these surgeries.
• Pray for our children, all 5 of them, and the situations they are all in.  Each family has it's hurdles to overcome and we ask that you keep them uplifted with us.
• Pray for our preparations to return to Haiti.  That things needed will be gotten and the trips will go without problems.
• Pray for Peter's trip to Haiti and that the Lord will give him direction with his life decisions.
• Pray for our government, here in the US, that God will put His hands on those in power and guide and direct them.  Pray for the Lord to be a REAL force in decisions being made here.
• Pray for Haiti, it's government, it's leaders, pastors and the people.
• And we are praying for the Lord to start a world wide revival, to draw people to Him.  And that many will have their eyes opened to God's leading.  Praying for those who know Jesus as their personal Savior, that the Lord will be with them in all situations, and that their witness in handling things will lead others to Jesus Christ.

So, for now, Praise God for all He has done, all He IS doing, and all He WILL do in the future.  Blessings, and keep your eyes on Him in all things.