Back in America!

As so many of you have known, I (Dana) have been sick. I also know that many of you have been praying for me during these last few months. Thank you so much! We have felt your prayers. We have felt peace even during these days and weeks of not knowing what to do.

It all started in April. Billy was actually in another country in SE Asia. I woke up in the middle of the night coughing. It lead to an asthma attack. It took a while to recover though. I believe that it was smoke from one of our neighbor's houses. The rainy season was coming to an end, so more cooking could be done outside. Throughout the next weeks, I developed a more habitual cough. Then here and there, it would become worse. I had several asthma attacks. I tried seeing a doctor here, but I did not feel comfortable with the medicines he prescribed. Through a friend, I was able to speak to an American doctor in a different location. He told me what to do. By this time, it was June. Unfortunately, these things did not work. The next  time  I spoke with him, he told me take double the steroids and a few other things. This did not seem to help either. At this point, my breathing was labored. I felt weak most of the time. Sometimes after school, the boys would come home and just rub my back and tell me it was ok. Oh!! That surely saddened this mom's heart!! I hated for them to see me so sick!

In July we had a team come from home. Three of them pulled Billy aside within 24 hrs of being there and told him I had to come home. I think for me and Billy, this was hard to hear and a relief. A relief that we were not the ones making the decision. Yet hard to hear, because I did not want to leave my family. We both knew I was sick. I knew my oxygen levels were down. I knew there were days that I was just so tired from breathing that I wondered how much more I could take. It's hard to describe, but I just didn't want to go home. This place was where I was called! Hence the relief of the decision no longer being ours. So, a week later, I went home with the team.

I had a doctors appointment scheduled the Monday following my arrival. This started my regimen of new allergy and asthma medicine. I was also given a TB skin test. This later came back positive. Thankfully, my chest x-ray was clear! I did have to start taking INH to keep the TB dormant. I will take this for 6 months. I am not contagious, I promise!! :)

Just a side note... What is crazy is I think I know where I was exposed. Since the skin test, I have been praying for a certain little girl that we saw in a store. She was visibly sick. She was coughing and shaking. It seemed that no matter what isle I was on, she would appear. Her mom was just yelling at her, which was not typical. I felt so horrible for her. Billy and I wanted so badly to take her to the hospital, but we knew that we couldn't. I believe that little girl is who exposed me. I pray that she is alright.

Please continue top pray for my healing. Please pray that God would give us the wisdom we need to know what to do next. We need to know if Billy and the boys should return to the States, or if I should go back now that I have new medicine. Thank you so much for your continued prayers!

6th Grade Graduation!

Major has now graduated from Elementary school twice!! Schools in our city graduates after 5th grade, but here they graduate after 6th grade. So now we have had the privilege of graduating twice, but with slightly different ceremonies! Major's class had eleven children that represented 5 countries, but 9 different cultures! Quite a diverse set of kids!! We are so thankful for his teachers and their love and support they showed Major this year. We look forward to next year, however, in the secondary department!

Major receiving his certificate from Mrs. BJ

Major's class with four of his teachers.

Major and Mrs. BJ

Major's class

Major receiving his "Most likely to become a dentist or doctor award"!
This is due to how many teeth Major lost this school year and his handwriting
ability!! :)

Happy Birthday Billy!!

May 12th we celebrated Billy's birthday! We drove to a city about 2 hours away and ate lunch at Wendy's and had a Frosty! Then, we went to a mall and watched "The Avengers"! It was a good day, but for some reason I (Dana), did not take the camera to document the day! :( But, trust me when I say, it was a good day!


I for one, am so happy that HE gave the gift of life to a handsome man 38 years ago! There is not a doubt in my mind that HE created Billy just for me! I am one lucky lady to have the privilege to call him my husband! Happy birthday to my sweet sweet William!!! :)

Will

Fifteen year ago today, Billy and I were given our second child. Little did I know that April 16, 1997 would forever change my life. I am thankful that I didn't know ahead of time, or I would not have been able to stand the days to come. However, since we are not given that foreknowledge, I was able to enjoy the days that I was given with my son. Yes, I said enjoy. Everyday we were able to see Him in a new way. We were able to see what peace that surpasses all understanding really means. We saw how intricate of a Creator He is. We experienced joy in the midst of utmost stress. Since there was so much evidence of Him, it allowed me to calmly, patiently, and enthusiastically sit by Will's bed waiting for his next little movement or facial expression.

Despite the stress surrounding his birth, he was a miracle! (As I have stated before in other posts, I was not supposed to have children.) He was early and weighed only one pound, but he was perfect! He had dark hair and eyebrows, perfect little fingers and toes, broad shoulders, and a sweet little face. He was knitted very well by his Maker! We do not know the reasons why he went into stress and needed to be born since the doctor's could not find one. We do not know why he left us on his 8th day of life either. What I do know and rest in, is his days were numbered and accounted for. He fulfilled his purpose, and it was time to see his Father.

As I sit here today and reflect on what this day means to me, there is that part of me that mourns the loss. I want so badly to have held him, snuggled with him, watch him play baseball and other sports, see him interact as a little brother as well as a big brother, and watch him grow in his love for Him. But today I have a choice, as all of us do in loss. Am I going to sit here and look at all of the things that I did not get to do or experience with my son? Am I going to let Satan rob me of the blessing of his life? To focus on those things would be discounting all of the things that I was given. I was given a son bearing my husband's name. I was given the opportunity to hold him one time and have him respond to my touch letting me know he knew I was his mommy. I was given the opportunity to know my Father in ways that I would have never known without this circumstance in my life. The grace and the mercy that was bestowed upon me during this time, was undeserved. My son showed me in a more tangible way the sacrifice that my Father gave. To experience the loss of a child is an unbearable pain, yet my Father chose this pain. Through this circumstance, I was given the opportunity to trust in the unseen like never before. Even though there were moments that I failed, He was right there ready, willing, and graciously waiting to pick me up.

On more than one occasion I have been asked if I would change this life circumstance. To me that question is unrealistic. As a mother, I long for my son. As a child of His, I long to know Him more. The only answer and choice is, I had to go through this so I could know Him more. I had to learn to trust Him for my next breath when I thought my heart was literally going to break. I had to trust Him, that His ways are bigger than my ways. I had to trust that He would make it all work out for good. I had to trust that this would draw me to Him in ways unimaginable.

"You give and take away, You give and take away, my heart will choose to say, Blessed be Your name"

"Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, It is well, with my soul"

These lyrics from these two songs have new meaning now. He has taught me that it is well whatever lot He gives me. It might be hard to see it, but I have to trust. It isn't well because of anything I have done, it is well because of all that He has done. It is because of His unfailing love that in the midst of loss or heartache, that I can say, "Blessed be Your name".

Blessed be Your name. You have taken away, but You have given so much more. Today is a time of remembering. I choose to lay a stone of remembrance of all that my Father gave and blessed me with.

Today, on Will's 15th birthday he is celebrating with his Father. I know he heard the words, "Well done my good and faithful servant."

Happy Birthday Major!!

March 24th we celebrated Major's 12th birthday! I can not believe my baby is 12 years old! It does not seem possible! When I was pregnant with Major, we found out that Major had a hole in his heart. We saw a cardiologist, and was given the run down of all that could take place at birth and the first two years of his life if the hole did not close before birth. We let everyone we knew know! Major's Maker graciously closed that hole before he was born! Even though that was his physical heart that was healed, I believe that Major's "heart" was being molded at the same time. He has such a tender heart and is so compassionate. I could tell story after story of the ways that he has shown this love for people and how it physically affects him to see people hurting or in need. I am looking forward to seeing how this compassion is used in his life. Major is a gift and has brought so much laughter into our lives. I am blessed be to his mother! Happy birthday!

19 Years and Counting!!

Happy Anniversary!!

Nineteen years is a long time in so many aspects. For Billy and I, this is how long we have now been married!! We have hit that mark in our marriage where we have been married more than half of my life, and now half if his!! That is so crazy to think about!! We have grown up together in so many ways! I have more memories with him than without him! To say that he is my best friend would be an understatement!! These years have been a journey that's for sure! The exciting part is, that the journey is not over! We have more to explore, more laughs to be shared, and even more tears. Through both laughter and tears though, I believe we grow closer. We learn more about each other. We learn more about ourselves. It is never dull or boring! I doubt the future will be either! I look forward to another year and more of the journey that we are walking together!

"I found the one my heart loves."

A Sad Goodbye

This type of day is one that you wish didn't have to exist. It is a day that you know is coming, and in some aspects have been planning since their birth. This is the day that you send your child off. Ugh!! Except now, it is different. This is reality! Not only are we sending her off, but we are sending her off to another continent. I mean this isn't a few states away, this is thousands of miles (10,500 give or take), and at least a two day trip! I get we are not the first to do this, but this was our first! You question everything you've done as a parent. The harsh reality, however, is that the time is here whether we like it or not.

It is time. The last minute has gone by. The tears are streaming. Ellie gives each of us a hug and a card that she has written. She gets to Major, and he will not let her go. I tell him that he has to let go and his response was, "I can't!" I give her a book that I had made for her and we say bye and hug one more time. We stay until she is completely out of sight! Major doesn't say another word for a couple more hours.

Turning to HIM in the midst of the tears and heart ache, there is peace. I was reminded that her Maker loves her more than I do! HE has her in the cleft of HIS wing. HE is with her always! She is ready. How do I know? HE is her guide. I am sure mistakes will be made, but in HIS loving kindness, HE will be there to pick her up. After all, HE loves her even more than her mother and father do!!

Ellie, keep your eyes focused on HIM. HE will never leave you. HE is your Helper, your Guide, your Strength, your Comfort. HE is all you need. You will never go wrong when you follow HIM, despite what others may say. Look to HIM. Yield to HIM. HE loves you so much! You are the apple of HIS eye!!

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year!!!

As we sat, along with three other families, on the lawn in front of the bungalows waiting for the new year, I couldn't help but wonder what this year will hold?! I guess there could be so much excitement as well as some fear in that answer depending on if you are an optimist or a pessimist!! I guess it is safe to say that whatever it is, it will not be boring! Life never is! With all of the new in our lives right now, I can't help but to think what other firsts we will have. Some seem overwhelming, others I think we can take in stride. One thing is for sure...Whatever does take place this year will not come as a surprise to HIM! That is so comforting! HE has seen every second of everyday! HE knows the comings and the goings. HE knows the laughter that will shared and the tears that will be shed. HE knows the victories that will be had, and the trials that will be faced. HE knows! HE has gone before us as a family and each of us individually. This might be a new year, but HE is not new! HE is the same, never changing, always faithful, and always good. What more could bring comfort?!!

Happy New Year! May this be a year that rests in the ONE who has given it to us!

Billy in the entryway of our bungalow.

The boys riding the waves!!

Merry Christmas!!

CHRISTMAS- This one word can evoke so many different things, both positive and negative. It could mean family, gifts, shopping, parties, holiday traffic, decorations, stress, debt, gift wrapping, food,music and carols, or a Special Birthday. Even with this list, there are so many more things that could have been said. We are so used to what Christmas is in our American culture, but when you move out it, it is different. There is no Christmas music being played at every store starting at Thanksgiving. Nor is every store decorated in red and green. There are not the parties and gatherings that usually take place, or the gift exchanges. There is definitely not the late night shopping, or last minute runs to get those few stocking stuffers you forgot! Which in turns takes a lot of the stress out! Instead of Christmas being a part of a culture it becomes a day. One day. This was a little hard for me, as I like the shopping and the madness of the holiday! I like store hopping just to make sure that we are stretching our dollar to the fullest! I love having my tree all decorated with the ornaments that the kids have made or that we have given them over the years. I love seeing their wrapped gifts under the tree waiting in anticipation for them to open them! I look forward to the teas and parties! I love the candlelight service on Christmas Eve! I love our Outback Steakhouse dinner that we have made tradition with the family! I love that we always watch a movie, then send the kids to bed, then put out whatever gifts are left, fill stockings, and then talk about what gifts we think they will like best! This is my favorite time of year!

This year was different. It changes the holiday when you have a different view of the day. What happens when a culture doesn't acknowledge this day? What happens when you turn on your tree lights on and a neighbor comments about it? What happens when there are not the gifts to buy or decorations to put up? What happens when almost all of your traditions surrounding the holiday have to be forfeited? Well, you acknowledge the day in the privacy of your house! You realize it might just be better to not have the lights on the tree! You enjoy the gifts that are bought, given, and received! You treasure the memories of past traditions, and you look forward to making new traditions! You change your perspective ultimately! None of these things are what really define Christmas after all! You change your focus from the world's definition of the holiday, to the True meaning. You look at the things that you can not have or do, but you rejoice in Who you have! This year was different! It was a good different!

Just in case you wondered...We celebrated Christmas Eve with a candlelight service with two other sweet families! We were even surprised by carolers as our night was coming to a finish! We had Christmas dinner with about 35 other people! HE knows what we like, and HE cares, even if it is the little things!

Carolers on Christmas Eve that came to our friend's house.

Dinner Christmas night at another friend's house, a total of 40 people!