Think before you look and then PRAY!

Many have asked to see pictures of Joel. They aren't pretty pics and I wouldn't post
all we took. Each day we took a pic so we could see his improvement. It's amazing how fast the body heals, especially when your young.

It has been 4 months since his accident. God has healed his body. His long and short term memory are so much better. There is still need for growth in his reasoning, attitude and overall cognitive thinking skills. My prayer is for him to soon be able to get back into the work field as well as get some technical trainging for his future. All in the Lords time.

Joel will be baptised in a few weeks. He wants to continue to grow and change as a "new man" in Christ. Please pray with me that God will open his eyes to see how he needs to be faithfully in the Word and find new and solid Christian friends.

Maybe you can tell, once again I have been having a fight with the computer to get the formatting of these just right. Yes, the computer is winning. Will I ever learn?



I did have two other pictures on here but they disappeared into some other world. But these will suffice.

Certainly God is good and we rejoice in His kindness towards us. May Joel ever be reminded by his own scars of the grace of God towards him.

Time for an update!

Ok - I am still trying to figure things out here. I obviously don't know how to center my posts like I want! So what!? I wanted to share some of our vacation with you. We've had a great time in Florida! My grand kids have been a joy to be around.


Kaitlin and Joel have bonded! It's been fun watching Joel interact with the kids. He's even helped with baby Doug!


Grandpa put his artistic abilities to work here. He made a monster with Kaitlin here after they made a sand castle with a moat.

This little sweetie is known by name at the local Dairy Queen! Just kidding, but her dad for sure is making a name for himself there!

I Did It!!

Just wanted you all to know, I figured it out -
ON MY OWN!
I now have links posted and I am exhausted!

This is nothing exciting to most of you but to me it is huge!
I am learning, slowly but surely......

Baby Doug!

What do you think he's thinking?

Just experimenting this evening and ran across this sweet picture of

Christina's new son, now over a month old!

I am SO Blessed!

Wow! One month has passed and I haven't posted a thing. Life is busier than ever.

Joel is doing very well. His wounds are healing but there are still things that we are dealing with in regards to the accident.

He had surgery last Wed. the 20th on his thumb. The doctor didn't feel it was healing as it should and felt he needed a pin in it. There is a 60% chance of full recovery. This of course means that Joel will not be driving as soon as he had hoped. But I keep reminding him that God is working what is best and he is sweetly taking each day as it comes.

I am so blessed in our relationship right now. Joel is no longer the young may you once knew him to be. I would that you could all visit with him and see and hear the difference, it is amazing. There is a real spiritual work going on and Joel is a willing participant. He is asking for baptism but our busy schedule (Ken's out of town camp and vbs work) as well as Joels cast on his wrist, not to mention the things going on with my father have kept us from being able to visit with the elders about it. This too we leave in the Lords hands. I wouldn't want anything other than His timing and purposes.

He does have an appt. to look at his knee on Tue. as it is swelling quite a bit. Not sure what will happen there. The Lord also provided another therapy scholarship so we can have another month of therapy (cognitive) that his therapist said he really needed. She is doing an excellent job. I sit in with them and am fascinated with the work they are doing with him. It helps me know how to help him at home too.

Some of you may have heard that my father was admitted to the hospital last week also. He has some internal bleeding and the doctors are uncertain as to where it is. He has an upper GI scheduled for tomorrow. His colonoscopy was negative as to bleeding. They had to give him 2 units of blood over the weekend. He is stronger since then. He also has congestive heart failure and they are draining fluid from around his heart and lungs via diuretics.

If you read this, will you encourage others to come here for updates? Brandon and Grace have been so busy with - well, life. You know how it is!

I did have my little granddaughter Elisa over the week end. What a joy she was. Indeed, children's children are the crown of old age!

Gods blessings upon you today. Remember, He orders our steps and today especially He is caring for you!

I have a grandson!

Just thought I would spread the word. Christina delivered a 6# 15 oz. boy this morning at 11:45.

Douglas Edward Jr. Wish I had pictures! Grace is planning on going to Florida to help Christina on June 5th. That seems like a long time away but - that's the way it is.

Joel is doing better every day. We are having Joel's friends in Friday night for a party. Ken plans on "challenging" them with the Word. Pray for wisdom and boldness and results!

Last night we were on the news too! They were doing a story on how dangerous the road is where Joel's accident was. Ken, Joel and I all got our moment of fame! No recruiters have called yet though - hmmmmm.

May the God of Hope fill you

It's good to be home. Don't ya just love it?!

We brought Joel home yesterday and got him settled into our bed because it's downstairs. This morning I didn't have to get up at 5:30 to get to the hospital. Everyone is sleeping in. It's quiet. I love it like this!

We are so thankful for the Lord's goodness in sparing Joel's life. He is doing better everyday. I know there will still be some difficult times before us. We don't walk this road alone though. Our Savior goes behind and before us. He lights the path, He leads the way.

I have been encouraged as I have reviewed my studies in Romans. (BSF - wonderful!) In times past I have been so encouraged as I have looked at the "He is able" verses.

Romans 4:21 "what He has promised, He is able also to perform"

Romans 11:23 " God is able to graft them in again" (God's dealings with the Jews)

Romans 14:3 "He is able to make him stand"

Romans 16:25 "to Him who is able to establish you"

These wonderful things about God are only a few of the things that build up my faith and strengthen me to stand.

Romans 15:4 "...that we through the patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope"

Yes, my friends. He is my sure and stedfast hope and always will be.

Romans 15:13 "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus name.

On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.
All other ground is sinking sand.