Dear Family and Friends,

     Phil has had some more good days,

His speech seems a tiny bit better.  We saw the speech therapist today.  She has him enunciating his words and saying sentences, doing that at home for homework. He ate his first sandwich in three months today.  It was a tuna melt.  That is a big accomplishment as he ate the whole thing.  Bread is very hard for him to chew and work in his mouth. Yesterday we made our traditional stir fry and fried rice.  I get all the ingredients prepared and he puts it together.  Two months ago I was grieving over the idea that we would not be able to do that together.  It was delicious to my mouth and especially delicious  to my heart.  I was praising the Lord for giving us back that gift of working together in the kitchen.  .  Phil ate the fried rice but not the stir fry.  That will come in time.  Today is the 3 month anniversary of the stroke.  I told Phil if he improves as much in the next 3 months as he has in the past 3 months he will be better than new! 

We were surprised with a delicious roasted chicken when we came home from therapy.  My good friend Jeryl decided we needed one and brought it over with some stuffing.  That made the evening easier.  I've been sort of sick with the achy cold and stuffy nose the past few days.  That makes me tired and useless.  God must have told some of my friends because while we were at therapy Lisa called and has some dinner for us tomorrow night and Laura made me some soup.  This has been a spectacular surprise for me.  Thanks friends!  And daughter.

Phil's parents came back yesterday   it's been good to hear about their trip I think they are starting to feel ready to go home to their own bed.  But it has been so good for Phil to spend time with them usually when they come Phil has to work and just gets a few hours with them in the evening.  I'm glad they were able to come when Phil is able to function and have the memory that they were here.  He doesn't remember much of that first month.  Well I took NyQuil an hour ago I hope it works so I get some good sleep.  I have my therapy session in the morning walking with my friend Lisa.  Good night and thank you for running this marathon with us as you pray for us. 

Love Donna and Phil and Family

Matt started school for him please keep praying for Gods direction in his life. Sam has applied for a job in Gresham as a case worker Please pray for him concerning that.

THANKS!   Happy Birthday Brett