Joyful in hope!

      Grandma just passed away.  One of the harder things on the field is dealing with sickness and not having family support, missing out on saying good-bye to loved ones and grieving with family when death occurs, missing best friends weddings, and the list goes on- but those are the big ones.  How we longed to have spoken to grandma in person one last time and to be with family at the funeral!

      There's a hill (about 40 feet) that dips into a valley on the way to my grandparents house.  Oh man, did we get so excited driving up to her house.  As we turned down her road....us kids would all shout and beg, "Go Fast, Daddy!"  Drive so fast!"  And our stomachs would drop out as we plunged down the hill and we squealed with delight.  Many times we would get to do it more than once a visit.  

     This week has been our hardest physical week we have experienced in 9 years.  Our family came down with some sort of flu that involved fevers of over 103, bronchitis, ear infection, vomiting, etc.  It started with one and would attack another the next day until it passed through all.  On top of it, our cook was sick and we were filling in.  And on top of that we have groups this week and a family interviewing to join the staff.  We are go getters and so to have to say we have to rest, was impossible to do.  

     While we kept wishing and praying it would get better and go away, God was giving us such hope.  Hope in knowing we will see grandma again in a better body.  Hope in the team we have here helping us out and persevering on their own, hope in God giving us strength each day even if was just to hold the kids and get meals out for all.  Hope in meeting a family doctor (we did not yet know one) and he is only 30 min away, as opposed to an hour which most are here since we are in the country.  And even with vomit all over he was so nice and kind- not even holding his nose :)   Hope that premature labor was stopped after we got the right medication.  And hope in God continually hearing prayers!

     While feeling sick and down we wanted to have that feeling of excitement as we dealt with things- that we were joyful for the next things....the exhilaration on the ride God has us on.  But on the road we are on today we are ready to turn around the corner or to quit climbing the hill to get there....but God is giving us strength each day.  

     We are so thankful for your prayers and love to our family.  We are praying in all you have joy and hope as well!

               "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

                                   Romans 12:12