A letter sent...

I just sent out another email.  And I will post it here, but needed to add something first.  I didn't realize it had been so long since I had posted (YET AGAIN), but life has thrown us a few curves these last six months and we are dealing, but sometimes doing it slowly.  So please, have patience with us (ME specifically) as we try to keep you updated on things here.  I will do my best to try and post more frequently.
In Him and through Him,
Karen

Here is the letter sent out....

 I really was surprised when I looked at the calendar.  So much has happened in the last six weeks and I didn't realize it had been that long since I had sent out any type of update.  Not sure just where to start, but I'll simply type as things come to mind.  So please bear with me on all of this, okay?

In the last email I don't know if I had mentioned that I had gone to Florida to be with Bev, Bob and Dawn.  It was a good time, but also a hard time.  To see my active, in charge, never slow down brother Bob laying in a hospital bed, staring at the ceiling was heart wrenching.  But we prayed and put him in the Lord's Hands, and waited....and waited.  After two weeks I came back home to help and relieve Don from taking care of Savanah, so he could return to his ministry.  Then got a message from Bev.  They had decided to honor Bob's health care directive, that had been filled out way prior to the accident.  This decision had been taken out of everyone's hands at the accident when an airway was installed.  So, on October 8th, I flew out to be with Bev and the family when "life support" was removed.  YES, it was a hard decision for everyone...but the Lord was a part of it.  I'm not going into details, but at one point, Bob was lucid enough to let everyone know HIS wishes.  This released the burden so he could go home to be with this Lord. On October 11th, a celebration of life was held in Bob's hospital room with family and friends. (I think 16 people there, plus others on internet).  He seemed aware of everyone.  And we each were able to sit on his bed, hold his hand, and share our happiest memories with him.  It really was a day of rejoicing of a life well lived.  Early on the morning of October 15th (exactly 2 months after his 83rd birthday) my brother walked into the arms of Jesus!  A time of rejoicing for him, and yet sad for us.  We know, without a doubt, that we will see him again in heaven. But he left a vacant spot in the family.  Thankfully it will be filled with a lot of memories. 

I stayed an extra week and a half to help where possible with Bev.  I don't think I did much, but I think I needed to be there, for me.  Bev has never been a sister-in-law....she has always been a SISTER in the true sense of the word.  I was able to walk with her though some of the things needing to be accomplished.  Bev has some great neighbors and her church family is awesome, too. 

I returned on October 27th.  Since I had missed Savanah's 4th birthday on the 16th, we went yesterday, the 31st, and had a party...first swimming at a local hotel, then home for cake, ice cream and presents.  She had four friends with her and everyone had a great time.  Wore Savanah out, totally. 

I will ask you to keep praying for Don.  The pulled muscle in his lower stomach is SO slow healing.  But that may be the fact he keeps doing things that sort of irritate it.  And of course, he won't stop working, either.  I think his frustration with not being able to do some things is hard on him. 

With this "catch-up" about done, I'd better close.  Remember that no matter what we face, no matter what the situation is, no matter how hard things are, the Lord is there for us, if we only turn to Him and hang on to His Hand!!
Blessings beyond measure to all!