Dear Family and Friends,
Phil kind of felt lousy all day today. He enjoyed a little visit with Rich Marshall, that perked him up a little. He tried some new things for nutrition today they didn't set to well. We will try again tomorrow.
This week has been a good reminder of how Gods timing is best. Back 26 years ago, when Phil had graduated from Multnomah Bible College and we were youth interns up in Seattle making $200 a month (we did get free room and board). God decided to give us a HUGE unplanned surprise in the form of a beautiful baby girl named Laura.. An unplanned bend in our life plan and road. She has been such a blessing to me this week (what would I do without her she has always been a blessing to me)., She gave up a week of her vacation to come and help me get out of the sea of strangling Stuff I have been needing to go through and get rid of in the back bedrooms and the laundry room. Sometimes I just need a partner to help get going on those projects, it is just overwhelming to even think of doing that on my own. We boxed up a bunch of STUFF and she even put it in her car and took it to the Good Will for me. What a relief! Then today she and Josh painted the front railing white, to match the other railing and they have plans to paint the trim soon. I am so thankful that God knew what he was doing when he changed our plans 26 years ago, making me a Mom. Changing our plan, which was to have me go back to work at the bank after the internship and prepare financially for a family first. Those days weren't easy but God knew what I needed even way back then,and I wouldn't go back and change them. When I think about what is happening in our life right now, I look back on how God has changed our plans many times, and later down the road we could see he was at work. It is so comforting to know he goes before us and has seen the whole picture of our lives and He is never surprised. He is a faithful Father. Sometimes I have to sit back and recall all the things he had done for Phil and I and our children that have turned out much better than if I had had my way with my plans. The world may not see it as better but I know it is when I look at our lives and at all three (Surprise) blessings he has given us in our Children. Sam gave up a week of his vacation for us earlier in Phil's illness to help out. Matt took time off work as well for us . We are blessed with unselfish children.
Phil is really struggling with the nausea and inability to eat please pray that he will be able to eat normally soon. There are lots of bowls of this and that around here that he tries to eat but just can't. It is so sad.
Well I have rambled on with my famous run on sentences long enough. Thank you for your daily prayers and encouragement for and to us.
Love Donna , Phil and There Three Surprises, and company