Fun in the Sun

Abby and Emma at my sister's pool with their new friends, Noah and Matthew!

Update

My brother, Jeff, is pretty much still in the same condition. He has movement in his arms (gross motor movement - no fine motor skills) and can wiggle his toes. That looks like all he will regain. It is also looking like he will be on the ventilator (tracheostomy) from here on out. He had some respiratory difficulties Sunday morning and had to have some blood and also had to go back on higher settings on his ventilator. He told me when I went to see him yesterday that he had almost died. I asked the nurse and she said "yes" it was a very close one. Please keep praying not only for his healing, but especially for his salvation. Blessings to all - Melissa

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil and cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love in honor giving preference to one another not lacking in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you - bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Romans 12:9-15

FATHER'S DAY 2007

Happy 4th!

Update - my brother will likely get to go into a "step-down" unit today or tomorrow. The next step is finding a facility that will accept ventilator patient's to care for him until we see exactly what type of recovery he is going to have.

We were going down to see him this afternoon, but the kids are sick and we are going to go sit in the doctor's office instead. I was looking forward to getting down there, but God is in control. If they feel better, we will try and go down to Chris' mom's for the 4th and come back in the evening.

I wish everyone a wonderful 4th of July! Thank goodness for our men in the service who insure our freedom!

Love,

Melissa

Jeff

I saw my brother yesterday afternoon and was actually able to communicate a little with him by reading lips. He has a tracheostomy tube now and that has given him some relief as far as breathing goes. He still has a fever, a blood infection and pneumonia, but he is on antibiotics and hopefully that will clear up soon. He has had a little movement (gross motor movement) in his arms, but obviously still none in his legs and the movement in his arms is not really all that great. He is still considered quadriplegic.

Please keep praying for him and also for guidance as far as all the decisions that our family needs to make regarding his future care. I am going this afternoon to pick the girls up from camp and then will be spending the weekend in Chattanooga. Love to all!

Melissa

Pictures from Camp

Here are some pictures of the girls at camp. Please keep praying for my brother - he has had a tracheostomy put in and hopefully that will give him a little more comfort and relief. He was my faithful blog reader.........

I NEED A CAMERA!

I still haven't gotten my camera back from Canon and I think I am going to have to break down and buy a new one. I hate not being able to post pictures and that is why I haven't been blogging very much lately.

Jacob is away at church camp in Burns, TN for the week. He was very excited because he was getting to go with his best friend, Mason. The girls are staying with my sister in Goodlettsville for the week and they are excited because they get to swim in her pool every day. Mom is excited because I FINALLY get to finish up some projects around the house (hopefully). It is still very hot and dry here in Franklin County. We are on water restrictions indefinitely and are praying for rain! Hope this blog finds everyone doing well and enjoying their summer! Love,

Melissa

Well, school is finally over and now we are trying to get into some sort of rhythm of summer activities. The kids have church camp, soccer camp, skateboard camp and Vacation Bible School on the agenda for the next 8 weeks. Personally, I have some summer reading that I want to get done and also some painting throughout the house to get done.

I was reading Experiencing the Heart of Jesus this morning (great devotional) and the verses that really stood out to me were Matthew 14:24-32. This is the story where the disciples are out on a fishing boat during the midst of a very bad storm. Jesus has been to a mountain to pray, when suddenly the disciples see him walking on the water towards them. Peter doesn't quite believe what he is seeing and asks Jesus to allow him to walk on water if it really is Him (Jesus). Jesus tells Peter to "Come". Peter steps out in faith and walks on water, UNTIL HE TAKES HIS EYES OFF JESUS, and then guess what? He begins to sink. Jesus immediately reaches out His Hand and grabs Peter and says "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? ". For the past few weeks I have been focusing on the boistrous winds and the fierceness of the storm and taking my eyes off Jesus also. And boy when I do that, I really sink.........fast.

But, Praise the Lord that he ALWAYS reaches out and grabs us if we trust in Him. We can always start over, trust in Him and enjoy the blessings that He wants to bestow on us!

Wishing everyone a good week, and hopefully I will have time to post a little more now that school is out.

Thought for the Day

Just a quick quote to think about.

"The beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves, and not to twist them to fit our own image. Otherwise we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them."- Thomas Merton

AND LAST BUT NOT AT ALL LEAST - SHE'S 9!!!

Today is Emma's 9th birthday!

We went to Chris' mother's house on Mother's Day and Emma had cake and got presents from Chris' family. She asked only for money - that 's our Emma! She is putting what she received into her savings account and now officially has more in her savings than we do! Actually, that isn't very surprising is it?????

To my most caring, scholastic, detail-oriented, quiet and attentive child - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! I love you very much! Mommy.