Still Alive in 2009

It has been a miserably long time since I posted which gives you indication to how busy life has been over the holidays. Michael and I are still alive and ticking and thankful for our faithful God who blesses His children every day!

Michael and I were able to get away for 10 days over the Christmas break to celebrate our anniversary at a wonderful B&B and then off to see family for almost a week. We couldn't believe how big our nieces and nephews have grown since this summer and it is a delight to know that they still want to hang out with Uncle Michael and Aunt Darla even as they approach the preteen years.

We also had a stowaway of sorts with us during the holidays - my picc line. After consulting with the doctors and praying for over a month it was decided that my neurological symptoms indicated the need for IV antibiotics. So, after Thanksgiving, Michael and I made an outpatient trip to the hospital where they inserted a catheter which allowed us to infuse antibiotics twice a day. It was a rocky road at first in trying to manage the side effects, and learning the routine of caring for the picc line was also an adventure. God blessed us with a great home health agency and very attentive nurses. We began to notice quite a difference in my improvement over the month, but we recently hit a snag in that my arm became swollen and sore which required the doctor to remove the picc line for fear of infection. Please pray for us and the doctor as we are still seeking to understand the cause of the irritation and the wisdom and necessity in installing another picc line, possibly next week. We know that God is faithful to guide His children step by step; we are learning to be satisfied with wisdom for only the next step and trust the rest of the process to Him.

As for Michael, he is improving in his treatments slowly but is still wrestling with regular fatigue. His sweet doctor is continuing to monitor other peripheral issues which may be contributing to his health struggles, but we are so grateful that after years of chronic back pain such pain has subsided with the treatment of his infections - who knew!! We thank God that Michael is knowing what life is like without the pain.

While there is so much to tell about health issues, and while our health does greatly effect our daily lives, there is so much more to what God is doing in us and around us that goes far beyond our health challenges. We continue to be blessed to worship and serve with our sweet church family and are enjoying the priviledge of teaching in the 6-7 year old Sunday School class this year. Oh the things that children say! We were blessed to celebrate our second anniversary in December and recount the many things that God has done and shown us about Himself over the last 2 years. And, we are SO blessed with a loving family and friends who love and encourage us and who point us to the Living God!!

So, I hope that the future will bring more consistent posts, but in the meantime, know that we are well and pray that you too are basquing in the sweet mercies and love of our Savior.

Darla