How Long 'Til We Hear From You?

How long has it been?  I can't believe it has been over two weeks since my last posting!  I am sorry for taking so long, but as you know, life is really happening in my world these days.

My grad classes through California University of Pa. are going great.  They have already inspired me to go above the norm, to strive for more than the status quo.  I'm not gonna lie though, they are pretty demanding and therefore, definitely absorb a great deal of time - but very well worth the effort.

How about the Olympics?  Dawn and I could hardly keep from watching them (while I was in class of course... the one great thing about online courses!).  The hockey match this afternoon was fantastic!  Of course, a win would have added some excellent icing on the cake, but we'll have to settle for the silver.  After all, Jackie let me know that I, "couldn't do anything about the outcome, so breathe, Dad, breathe."  But wow, 25 seconds left in the match and the USA team scores (while risking the empty goal!) to send it into overtime!  CRAZY!

We are still moving a lot of snow around here.  Friday was a day off from school due to snow.  It didn't seem like we got enough to call school off, but after going out to plow I found there was over a foot in many places.  It was the real wet, heavy snow that packed down and became real slick, real fast!  Probably a good call.  So I made the best of it, I finished up the majority of work that was due to be turned in by the end of this weekend for my classes.  You know how it is, use every minute time very  wisely!

Last Saturday we went out for breakfast at a benefit for Emily.  Elizabeth, one of Leah's friends, organized the benefit and did an outstanding job!  She lined up a ton of donations from all kinds of businesses in and around Erie, organized a hall in Wesleyville to hold it in, and lined up all kinds of help for the day.  Here is a picture of Candy working in the kitchen.  She is all cleaned up in this shot, but most of the day she was covered in pancake batter!  Her job happened to be mixing the batter and she was doing it with a power mixer.  She was able to stay ahead of the demand by the girls on the griddle!

Elizabeth, Leah and Jackie

Tori (caught'cha!)

Emily has been having a really tough time since the transplant.  She has yet to eat because her mouth and digestive tract are all filled with open sores.  The treatments have her feeling really miserable so she spends most of her time laying and sleeping.  When she is awake, she doesn't talk hardly at all because it is too painful.  Last night, because her lips are so swollen, she accidentally bit her lip and it bled for a very long time.  Since she has been through so many different kinds of treatments, her blood doesn't clot very well at all.  By this morning when they found the cut and blood she was a mess, so Candy cleaned her up.  They ended up giving her some extra platelets this morning.  This has been so hard on all of them.  

They are still waiting for the bone marrow to take hold and start producing; it is just a waiting period (and lots of praying!).  During times of great trial, the days, hours and minutes just drag on and on.  We only pray that after it is all over, Emily will be able to look back and praise God for his healing.  And so, we pray.

Jim is not feeling well either.  His treatments brought a little relief, but not as much as we would have hoped for, and of course, the distance between him and Candy are very difficult for both of them.  His cancer is pretty aggressive so the doctors are trying to get ahead of it so they can go through with his surgery.

I hate being a bearer of sad news all the time but I know that many family members check in to see how everybody is doing.  On the other hand, I am going to try to write a bit more often and not always focus on the sad stuff.  Not because it isn't on my mind, but rather because all the great things that are happening should be acknowledged too; you know, where the Lord has poured out blessing after blessing.

Until then, I pray that you, too, will see the many blessings that have come your way!