Dear family and Friends, 

     I am so happy to say that Phil has been 8 DAYS without losing any of the food he has eaten this is quite a record.  We are praising the Lord for this part of his healing.  He still isn't real excited about any food but he is eating a little better.  Tonight he ate some tapioca pudding,that was something new, and today he ate a few tiny bites of french bread with his (of course) POTATO soup.   We wore him out today. After church  Laura, Josh, and Meaghan  had dinner with us and after that Bill and Sandy came over (Bill worked on the sprinkler system) and the rest of us (except Phil he hung out with Bill some)  had bananna splits and ice cream cones.  It was so good for Phil to have the babies here, they were so busy eating and playing with toys jumping all over that I saw A LOT of Phils sweet smile out of the corner of my eye.  He misses that joy he had when our kids were litttle.  Now their idea of playing is to torment the dog which our kids (boys) did today It's kind of a ritual when they get together.   You have to know our dog all I have to say is he is a Jack Russell Terrier.  And his second name it trouble (9 years of trouble so far) but we love him, no one else would. 

     Tomorrow Meaghan (Sams girl) starts back to school at George Fox, she is busy taking 17 credits and working in the admissions office.  She will be a busy lady.  Because of her job she will be doing some traveling with the school.  She is a very determined young woman,  we are proud of her.  She also enjoys helping with the mission downtown on Friday nights.  Meaghan has a real heart for hurting people.  She spent her Spring Break down in Lousiana fixing up homes for the hurricane victims.  Keep her in your prayers as she has a FULL schedule this her senior year.   Tomorrow I will start back to work.  This next week, because we don't have students yet, they will let me work my schedule around Phils appointments, that will be sooooo helpful.  Phils parents will be able to help some with that next week when they come and they will be here with him when I am at work.  Phil could be home by himself but I would be worried all the time, just because he might get off balance and fall.  Other than that he is doing well, I am so thankful that he is still my smart, sweet husband and good friend.  The brain injury didn't effect that part of him.  God has blessed us so.  

     It is good for Phil to have visitors, I think it lifts his tired spirits so if you have time feel free to visit him, he is tired a lot but I think visits help him have something to look forward to and takes his mind off the tiredness. 

     It is so comforting to know you are praying for and with us.  It takes a heavy load and makes it lighter taking it to where it belongs with our Lord and  Savior Jesus, I don't know what we would do without knowing he is there knowing what we are going through and that he cares and has a plan for us.  a lot of times I am curious about his plan and I try to figure it out then I hear his quiet voice whisper to me.  Rest in Me Donna, I have been there, I have seen the future and I love you trust Me.   (Sometimes his whisper is not so quiet because he has to get my distracted attention). 

     Please continue to pray for us and trust God with us.

Love Donna&Phil,  Josh& Laura,  Sam&Meaghan,  and Matthew