December 29

Sorry it has been a little while since the last update. I've been busy trying to keep up with church work and laundry! Suffice it to say things are still going amazingly well. It blows me away how, after so many days of struggle, she suddenly is making such great progress. As of this writing, they once again have Barbara sitting up in a special chair that lays flat so they can drag her onto it, then changes into a chair so she can sit up.

While her movements may seem small to some, they are very significant to us. Each day she has been able to move better and better. Yesterday she did 10 kicks with her left leg for the physical therapy people. Her kidneys and lungs are doing great. The area of greatest focus now is getting her stomach and digestive system working again. She is able to take small "pleasure bites", and ate a good amount of her favorite yogurt yesterday (again, small amounts by most standards, but big amounts for her!).

Today is our anniversary! Yesterday, Rachel and Kevin and Nicole brought us the most beautiful bouquet of flowers to help us celebrate. That was so nice! It has also been good to visit with a number of you. A big thanks to the area pastors who've stopped by and really made my day.

Well, I sit her with a lap full of work to do, so let me conclude with some prayer ideas:

Pray that her digestive system begins functioning well,

That her body grows stronger,

That she will be able to be off the respirator soon,

That she will stay upbeat emotionally.

Thanks, too for your prayers for Jackie, me and the family. Jackie and Peter will be heading back to Wilmore tomorrow. A sad day, but life must move on! Keep them in your prayers for the road trip. It has been SO GOOD to have them here! Jackie is such a beautiful, loving young lady, and Peter is such a loving, caring man. They are also striving to be godly people in all they do, and a parent couldn't ask for more!