Peaches, Jazz, and Family

I wonder what our joy looks like to God as He observes us having fun. Does he throw his head back and roar with laughter? What must it look like when He is delighted? His word plainly tells us that He does experience delight. It is written in Zephaniah 3:17:

"The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”

I'm not sure what it looks like, but I do feel His pleasure on nights like tonight. After a late dinner, Paul Burton put on some easy listening jazz music, and we all stood at the kitchen counter peeling a bushel of peaches. Qavah was dancing to the music and one of my favorite Norah Jones songs came on the radio. My husband stopped what he was doing to dance with me in the kitchen. While Kathryn and Paul Burton treated the moment with respectable giggling, Qavah laughed her head off loudly. She screeched as she jumped up and down saying, "Look Kathryn! Daddy is dancing with Mommy!" Out of nowhere I remembered that God sees, and I can actually say I could feel His pleasure. We danced, told stories about our week, peeled and sliced peaches, and put them in the freezer to be made into those wonderful mid-winter hot peach cobblers.

We've been celebrating this week. Paul and I had our first date thirty-five years ago which is pretty special to us. We've spent a couple evenings this week thinking back with nostalgia. It's funny how even with the passing years and millions of details we've handled since, our first date hasn't dimmed in our memories. On our first date we went to get a bite to eat at the only burger place in town, then gathered up our order and drove to the park to eat it. We talked about everything and laughed a lot. It may have seemed like no big deal to anyone but us. But looking back we can both say we felt God's pleasure in making that match. I'll bet there was some singing over us that evening. As we danced tonight after thirty-five years, I can imagine that His song is even sweeter.

Waiting Patiently

I just went into the kitchen to check on Qavah. She was sitting at the kitchen doorway looking out toward the driveway. I asked what she was doing and she replied, "Waiting for Daddy." He'll be home from work in two hours.

Good Reports

This afternoon we drove across town to the GI doctor and hematologist. Both doctors have seen a remarkable change in Kathryn's condition since last week. Her bacteria infection is under control, and her GI problems are being addressed. The GI doctor has given her one week to improve by using Maalox to coat her esophagus overnight. If that doesn't take care of the burning pain in her esophagus, she will have to have an endoscopy to determine what is causing her pain when swallowing.

I was thankful for the comments to yesterday's post. If you read the one written by Kim, let me just brag on her a bit. My neighbor and the mother of fourteen children lays down her life every day for several special needs children, and has lifted my spirits many times by the stories of hope she has to tell. Although she was told she couldn't have children, she and her husband have a quiver full of children. All of them came to the family through the foster care system and have been adopted. Each one was hand-picked for their family by a loving God. Whenever I see Kim she is smiling about some of the latest miracles she has observed in the life of her children. If you ask Kim how she does it all she will say, "By faith." Kim would be the first to say there is nothing God can not do. Her children are beautiful and when I observe her walk through this life, my life is blessed. One of these days when most of the children are at home I'll try to get a family picture to post.

If you have ever thought about adopting and just want some more children to bless, don't hesitate to check out www.adoptuskids.org. There are over 115,000 children in the United States available for adoption. Then call me for Kim's phone number. She will tell you it is worth it!

Shoes

The familiar sound of clump, clump, clump woke me up this morning. Qavah has a "thing" for shoes. Not just ordinary shoes; she has to put on my high heels with a touch of jewels or a bow or two. I found her this morning wearing her night gown and my high heels. She was standing in her room in front of the pretend sink cooking a meal and washing the dishes. She's very industrious and goes as far as to set her small table with pretend dinnerware. All of this is important business. She's modeling her life after me. She is showing me in her play that she desires to be a competent homemaker. And she goes at it with gusto, as though her family is soon to arrive for dinner.

I hope she can see even more than that as I live my life in front of her. I'd like her to be able to learn from me how to handle stress, make wise choices, keep her faith in days of trouble, and learn to lean on God for the wisdom she will need to navigate through the twenty first century. For that she will need to put on my walking shoes. Life is a journey, and with each step, we are leaving a mark for the next generation. I hope with all of my heart that I am walking out my journey of faith in front of my children in a way that causes them to trust God on the path He has planned for them.

Sunday is Almost Here!

Paul and Jim have had success working on their engineering project. They called early this morning from the shop to say that they would be taking this afternoon off! The longest day they put in was yesterday. Sixteen hour days are for kids, but they are kids at heart. Jim and Sandy will be leaving for a leisure trip home to Oklahoma and Paul and I will go back to our routine. The time spent with Christian friends is always uplifting and we were glad for the time we have had with them.

Kathryn is still having some physical challenges but is not discouraged. Her esophagus has some raw places in it that cause her a lot of pain while eating. This happens periodically, but it seems to be lasting longer this time. She has an appointment this week with her GI doctor and will hopefully get some relief. Her Hickman site looks good this morning so we are thankful for that.

As we come to the close of an extra long week of work and hospital visits, we are looking forward to the quietness of Sunday. I once saw a sign in a high school class room that said, "The best break is one that is earned." As we put the accomplishments and efforts of this week aside, we're thankful to rest in the knowledge that God has given us a sweet day of relaxation.

Hey guys, put down the tools, it's time to rest!

Having Fun

Paul's business partner and his wife, Sandy, are here having a good time in the Roanoke Valley. The guys are putting in long hours at the shop while Sandy and I have been having fun around the town. It has been a good week. Kathryn had her last IV Rocephin treatment this afternoon, now we wait to see if it was enough to fight the current infection. She is looking better tonight but her poor arms have multiple bruises where her IV lines were. We continue to find good things to do and think about. Sandy has been a great guest and has shared stories of her early married life in Iran. I heard Kathryn telling Sandy that having house guests brings the adventures of the outside world into our home. It's like stepping out for a breath of fresh air! How true!

This is how guys have fun:

Nice Things to Ponder

Today the girls are both doing very well. I love to see them dressed up and enjoying themselves. Kathryn decided to wear something a little dressy today so that she could go right from her hospital visit to her Missions Committee meeting without changing clothes. As she was trying to decide what to wear, Qavah walked up to Kathryn's open closet and pointed to a lovely lavender skirt. "Wear this, Kathryn!" she said. Qavah was really beaming when her big sister said, "Yes, that is a good choice, Qavah." I could see Qavah's confidence rising as Kathryn affirmed her suggestion. It was a fleeting moment, but I was glad to have witnessed it.

Kathryn's Hickman site is still sore and the glands at the base of her neck are still quite swollen. But she is feeling better and that is the best news. She will probably have to go the the hospital for her IV Rocephin several more times this week to get this infection under control. Julie will be taking her tomorrow. This week we are also enjoying hosting Paul's friend and business partner from Oklahoma. He brought his wife along on this trip so we plan to do some sight seeing with her this week. I am so very grateful for these good days. I find myself singing and humming a lot.

Never Very Far From Prayer

Three nights ago I woke up to the sound of a woman's voice in the hallway of our house. Naturally I went to Kathryn's room to see if she had called me. She was sound asleep. About an hour later I woke up again and went to check on Kathryn again. This time she was awake and said, "Mom, I thought I heard the voices of two women talking in the house and went downstairs to check but everything was still and quiet." We both felt a little awed by the experience. I asked Kathryn if she thought it would be a good idea to pray for people the way we used to since we were both awake. She was happy to do that. She wanted to pray for several people so we started praying together and the hours ticked by. Soon the sun was coming up and we both fell into a deep sleep. The important thing about that memory is not what woke us up, but what we were able to pray about during those hours. It was another sweet memory made with just Kathryn, the Lord, and me.

Last Sunday, Kathryn had a very good day. She had the energy to go to church and go out to lunch with friends afterwards. When she woke up on Monday she told me that her body felt taxed so we waited for the signs of HPS to show up. Day after day Kathryn said, "There is something wrong", but she couldn't pinpoint anything in particular. However, last night as she was getting ready for bed she felt dampness on her old Hickman site and came to show it to me. It has opened up again and is infected. The wound that took six months to heal is again angry and inflamed. Kathryn called her hematologist and they wanted to see her first thing this morning. The infection is back, and Kathryn is on another round of IV Rocephin. I thought back to our all-night prayer time and thanked the Lord for the answers to prayer that we already saw today. One of my prayers had been for quick responses from Kathryn's doctors when something is amiss.

Fun, Movies, Popcorn

We are making the most of our time with my friend, Helen. I haven't written for good reason. It isn't because things are too overwhelming, it is because we are out having fun. I will have more to write about soon, but for now, we just wanted to let you know that all is well. We delight in this season of refreshing!

The "to do" List

Both girls have been healthy enough to do a little shopping and helping around the house. We were getting ready for company today and expect my friend Helen to come and stay with us this week. There were several things we needed to do to prepare. Working together, we accomplished many of them. The house is clean, the laundry finished, the lawn is mowed, and we are closing in on our Sabbath rest feeling elated as we have scratched many tasks off our list. We've had some wonderful answers to prayer for our friends this week, and we now pause to take this day of rest and consider how God will hold the entire universe together without our help.

For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord. Ex. 31:15

Qavah's Needs

After almost a year in Roanoke, Qavah's body is still being maintained by monthly blood transfusions. However, since her pancreas is not functioning well she is not able to grow and put on weight. For her digestive problems I have been giving her amylase and lipase as directed with every meal for the last month. Yet her levels are still low and her GI specialist told me today that we need to approach this problem with a new plan. The problem with Qavah's situation is the same as Kathryn's. Until there is an absolute diagnosis through test results, treatment is not even discussed. But every test has been inconclusive. Her physicians here agree she needs help but scratch their heads and tell me I need to find someone who knows more about these problems. Qavah's need for a treatment plan is greater now than it was a year ago. I have been researching the available treatments and research protocols when I find them, but so far nothing has transpired. We're willing to do whatever we can to help Qavah thrive. But we need your prayers most of all.

The last time we were in this position we asked our friends and family to pray. We had been looking to the National Institutes of Health for help, and specialists, and help was just not there. I remember so well the nights I prayed as David did, "Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord." Then through a series of well-timed mishaps at one hospital, and help from one of our blog readers, we found Kathryn's new medical team, and the friendships and support we needed. Now we need the same for Qavah. Although we would go anywhere in the world for her, there may be the help we need right in our own back yard. We are waiting on God to show us the path to walk with our little Qavah and pray that we will find it soon. Her name means "hope and patience." It is very appropriate.

Boldness to do the opposite

While we were preparing for the big birthday party last weekend I observed Qavah crawling into her rocking chair with her blanket and pacifier a time or two. I also noticed her raising her arms up, asking to be held whenever she wanted to go upstairs. A quick look at the calendar led me to the conclusion that first thing Monday morning I would need to take her for labs. I did that and got a call later in the day from the pediatric hematology department with an appointment for a transfusion. I am learning to read the signs of a low red cell count and that helps me respond with more confidence. It had only been four weeks since the last transfusion but Qavah was in need of another one and the signs were there. Qavah took it all in stride.

Sometimes in life we are given an opportunity to observe the way someone else lives and we can choose to do the opposite. Not to judge another, but to make a judgment based on the desire for a better outcome. An example of that was seen Monday at the lab where Qavah goes for her blood draws. A little girl about a year or so older than Qavah was waiting ahead of us for her tests. When her name was called she walked through the lab door and began screaming before the door shut. The little girl had four adults holding her down while she screamed as though her toe nails were being ripped out. Kathryn and I didn't have much sympathy for her because her high drama was traumatizing the next patient; Qavah. Qavah looked at me aghast and I started laughing, which made her laugh! Then Kathryn joined in and we could not stop. I was glad we were the only ones left in the waiting room. The screaming was over-the-top even for a drama queen. Qavah soon started shaking her head saying, "She's not brave!" Then we laughed even harder since that was an understatement. When the door to the lab opened I expected to see a poor tortured soul emerge. Instead, the same little girl skipped out of the door asking her mother if she could push the button for the elevator, while the four nurses left behind looked like they needed the rest of the day off.

Qavah looked puzzled by that, but she was next so I smiled at her and said, "Go in there and show the nurses how a brave girl gives blood!" After what she had just witnessed she put her little shoulders back, marched in, and held out her arm without flinching. It was over in seconds without a whimper and she received high praise and a lot of stickers. Qavah told me today on the way to the hospital that she was going to be brave whenever she gets "stuck" and she was true to her word when her IV line was placed.

You've probably heard the phrase, "observe the masses and do the opposite." Sometimes it just takes one little observation in the handling of a daily event to be able to state, "This is how I will handle it!" Qavah did that. Now it is up to us to teach her about Who it is that gave her the strength and wisdom to make such a good decision.

A Whale of Birthday Dinner

As Mom was scooping out her serving of fruit salad from the watermelon-whale she said, "This is a whale of a meal!" We enjoyed our afternoon at Mom and Dad's and especially had fun watching the children. Jacquelyn took Nehemiah in her arms for the first time and asked, "It all comes back like it was yesterday doesn't it?" Mom and Dad's five children managed to have their children all about the same time. The grandchildren grew up together and there was always a lot of activity and a baby or two at holiday gatherings. A gathering at their house now means there are lots of young adults who enjoy playing card games, and we don't have to check up on them anymore if things get quiet. When they were little, the cousins would run around outdoors until sundown and the drive home would be very quiet as one by one they fell asleep. They always loved their time at their grandparents'.

Now the great-grandbabies are coming along and the same is true for them. Annelise ran around with Qavah most of the afternoon. She waved good-bye to everyone tonight at sundown dressed in her pajamas in preparation for falling asleep in her car seat on the way back to Roanoke. A new generation has begun to experience growing up with Granddaddy and Grandmom. We're grateful that Mom and Dad Campbell are still able to have us all over and watch a new generation grow. Happy birthday to both of them!

On Saturday, Paul Burton carved a watermelon-whale as Qavah looked on.

While scooping out the insides, Paul Burton told us about certain surgeries he has observed. You don't want to hear about it. Trust me.

The eyeball socket was carved with an apple corer.

Kathryn found the old jar of big marbles from their childhood for the eyes.

The blow hole has a spray of fresh baby's breath coming out of it. It was then filled with fresh fruit to take to Grandmom and Granddaddy's house. We brought the "empty" whale home tonight. Tomorrow it will float in the bathtub with a small male doll from the doll house inside the belly while I tell Qavah the story of Jonah again!

Happy Birthday Mom and Dad!

Party Preparations

We are busy this morning with baking and preparations for our family party tomorrow. Kathryn had some problems with indigestion during the night but woke up feeling better. Paul was up early and went to the men's breakfast that our church holds for men once a month. The invitation boasts, "Get more bacon than you are allowed to have at home!" Kathryn and I are invited to an afternoon tea and baby shower at Lizi's home and couldn't be happier about that. It's a day packed full of blessing. I'm sure we'll have some pictures later. All is well.