Memorial Day!

Well, Memorial day is about over. I wanted to do a quick update before I went to bed.

Friday night was the school's award night. Missie got a medal for the A Honor Roll. She was on the A honor roll all year! She got a trophy for learning all of her scripture on time, too! We were so proud of her. The picture of her on stage didn't turn out :(.

Missie had her 15th birthday on Saturday! I can hardly believe she is 15. She was so sick, though, and spent all day in bed. I felt so sorry for her. She overdid it at a friend's house on a slip n slide and then at fun day at FCA. She ached all over and was sick. She was supposed to sing in a trio on Sunday a.m. but wasn't able to go. She did get to her FCA's graduation at 2:30 yesterday afternoon, and the reception afterwards. I will post some pictures of her and some of her friends.
It was a wonderful graduation service. Each of the graduates (Kindergarten, 8th grade, and 12th grade) presented their mothers with a rose; many tears were shed. Altogether there were 13 graduates! Preston was able to attend and we all went to the reception afterwards. It was a hot day, though, and by the time we got home, we were all hot and tired. But I am glad Missie was able to attend. Now today she has a cold. It was starting yesterday, but now she is blowing, blowing, blowing her nose. She gets so tired of being sick!!!

For her birthday, Missie wanted a glove and softball. So that is what we got her. A lady at church made her a cake! Then she got money from both sets of grandparents. She wanted cheesecake on her birthday as the birthday cake was already gone, so we got cheesecake for her. Hopefully next year we can have a party for her when she turns 16. She is just growing up so fast.

Junior is working for the temp. agency again; we are thankful for that. We still haven't received any unemployment from SC for the weeks he had no work. We are praying it will come through. Someone graciously paid our van payment, our light bill, and phone bill for this month, so that is a huge blessing. We are hoping this job will last for a while!

Continue to pray for us, when you think of us!

Latest news!

Good evening. I have some news tonight!

Junior got a call this evening from Employment Plus about a job. So he went and did the paperwork, and he starts in a.m. at NFI in Whitestown! We don't know what NFI stands for yet, LOL, but it is a shipping company. He will be driving forklift. He doesn't know how long this job will last, but he will take as much work as he can get. And it is day shift! I wish he could get a job in Frankfort, because it is very hard for him to work out of town, when we only have one vehicle. Missie has 3 appts. and I have no way to take her. Right now it is not an option to buy another vehicle. We don't have the money to do that right now.

Preston's ultrasound really didn't show them anything and they wanted him to have an IV and also drink some stuff and have a CT scan. He said no. He is sick of having to go through all of this stuff, and I can't say that I blame him. He wants to be anointed, but last night we had UBC choir, and the next 2 Sunday nights we don't have church, so it will be a while before he can do that, as he doesn't go on Sunday a.m. He still has pain some; but he wants to live with it if possible, but it may get so bad he won't be able to. Time will tell. Please pray that the Lord will touch him and take this pain away. It would be beneficial to all of this family if he didn't have to go into the hospital ever again. I know that is probably unlikely, but we can always dream! And pray.

Going to bed now. Wanted to let you know about Junior's job!

Long overdue!

I know! This is long overdue.

And there are new developments in our lives, as usual!

1st of all on Monday a.m. the phone rang and it was Employment Plus, the temporary agency that Junior was working for. They said ASI had changed the hours that he would be working, to 6 nights/week. Junior said, "that puts me working on Sunday and I don't work on Sunday." So they said that they would call ASI and tell them. So in a few minutes they called back and said they were sorry but ASI needed someone who would be available to work on Sunday. So that was the end of Junior's job. We did not see this coming! Even though he didn't like the job nor did we like his working all night, we were thankful he had a job. Well, no more. We are back to job hunting. We still have some unemployment left, but when he called in today, they said he had to call the office in a.m. I just hope they are not making us wait another week; we have already had 2 weeks of waiting period already! But we will find out for sure in a.m.

Many of you know Preston had gallstones in SC but since they weren't bothering him, they said they would leave them alone. But now every day he is having pain. So Tues. he is having an ultrasound. Please pray they can see the problem or the stones when they do the ultrasound so he won't have to have any more tests. I hate to think of his having surgery, but if he has to, he has to, and we will just pray he has no complications this time. I don't think any of us can spend another 9 weeks in the hospital.

We didn't get to go to Canada because by the time we figured it out, we realized it was too far for one day's journey and we didn't have enough days to go. Missie is trying to finish her school year out and we just couldn't be gone that long right now. But the problem is, after June 1st, we can't cross the border without passports. None of us have passports. Mine has run out years ago, and we all have to get them. I am not sure when we will have the money to do this. Mine is the most complicated one to get. Anyhow, that is why I wanted to go in May. But it doesn't seem to be working out. I want to see my mom so bad. But we talk every day on the phone which I love and Preston hates, LOL. If I can't see her at least I can talk to her. I hate talking on the phone overall, but I am so glad we have this means of communication.

Today was a wonderful Mother's Day. We had over 60 mothers at church this a.m. We had a wonderful Mother's Day service. We could chose a flower or a candle, and guess which I chose? Yep, the candle! Junior took me to Cracker Barrel Friday for my favorite meal of chicken and dumplings. The children each bought me a rubber stamp that I wanted to use on my cards. So it has been a happy day for me.

Will try and let everyone know when I get the results of Preston's ultrasound.

TGIT

Thank God it's Thursday! This is Junior's last night for the week! We always love the long weekends.

Lord willing, we are leaving a week from tomorrow a.m. for CANADA!!! I will drive the 1st few hours and Junior will sleep as he will just be getting home from work after working all night. We will get up there by bedtime. We are staying Saturday, Sunday and coming back Monday. Junior won't go to work until Tues. evening. I will get to be with my mom on Mother's Day! I am excited!!! Preston is wanting to go this time, so I hope it all works out. I haven't seen my mom for almost 3 years. I just have to see her this year.

School is winding down! I have 20 graduation invitations to make by next week from one of the girls who is graduating from high school, and attends our church.

Haven't heard anymore on the medicaid deal. Missie has therapy tomorrow. That muscle in her leg seems to be better; it hasn't happened again. We are thankful for that.

So that is about all the news for this time.

Medicaid!

Well, we got a letter today saying Missie's medicaid was ending on May 31st because we make too much money???? Oh me, it never ends. I took 4 check stubs of Junior's in yesterday so I hope that will help. He is only a temp. right now, but getting some overtime. I guess that will hurt him. We can't win for losing. Please pray this can be resolved, because with this muscle condition that she has, we need medicaid. The other option would be to go to Shriner's in Cinni, but that is about 6hrs. of driving, plus the appointment, etc. It will be another added burden to my life; because with Jr. working nights he gets so tired, and he can't do it; and Friday is the only day I could go up there, because that is the only day he doesn't have to sleep all day, and someone has to be with Preston most of the time.

At school on Thurs. Missie kicked a ball and something happened in her leg and she had excrutiating pain and could barely walk for a while, or sit, it hurt so bad. She has pain meds. at school and took those but she said it took about an hour for it to kick in. She was crying and shaking, both which means she is in a lot of pain. Well, it is still giving her trouble. She was walking this a.m. and the same thing happened. We don't know if she tore a muscle rather than pulled it or what. I am going to have to take her to the rhumatoid dr. if there is not a big improvement over this weekend.

You know, sometimes I question! I am sure everyone does sometimes! But our plate is full with Preston and all of his many problems since birth in 1988. Missie came along 6 years later and was so normal and fun, and could do everything he couldn't do and brings us so much joy. Why this? She wonders too, and our plate is full and running off the sides. But!!! We have the Lord to help us through. Otherwise, I don't know where I would get all my strength. Even then, emotionally I get so exhausted sometimes, and in every other area of my life. To see your child in pain, hurts. Especially one like Missie; she was so active! She loved to be outside, riding her bike, running, etc., now can hardly do any of it. But we just have to leave it in God's hands. That is all we can do.

If you haven't heard the testimonies in the "Building for Keeps" service at IHC, please to their website and click on archives and listen to it. A man told of his young wife having a stroke because of malpractice 14 yrs. ago. They had a 3 yr. old son, and he was a farmer. He became the bread winner, cook, mom and dad to his son, on and on, and taking care of his wife. He was told to put her in a nursing home so he could get on with his life, and he won't do it! We have basically been told the same thing. Anyhow, I couldn't help but weep! He called her up to the platform, and she has a crippled arm and hand like Preston and uses a cane. But she was able to sing the chorus of "Because He Lives." It was awesome! They have been through so much but he said he is not angry with God. God is His strength. That is the way it is with us!

Please pray about the medicaid situation when you think of us. Thanks so much!

Back already!

I just have to share how God used a man in our church to minister to us, especially Preston.

In SC, we attended church with Kendall Stetler (David and Marsha's son)and now that we are in Frankfort, IN, we attend church with Kendall's brother, Brent. Well, Preston instantly took to Brent; I think he felt a connection because of having attended church with Kendall.

Well a while back Brent asked me about taking Preston out. Well, I wasn't sure about it; not sure how Preston would do, etc. But we decided that today was the day we would try this! Well, Brent came about 4:30, and took Preston out for 2 hrs. When they pulled up Preston was smiling and was soooo happy. He was telling Missie and I where all they had been, and it really helped him!

Thanks Brent, for taking time to do this and make a "special boy" happy! As I told Missie, everyone needs a friend. Preston never goes anywhere without Jr. or I, but it was really good for him; good for him to have his own friend! So God sent Brent Stetler to minister to Preston.

It is so ironic, because we were in Bible College in Thomasville, when David Stetler was the principal and Kendall and Brent were little boys. Then in the last couple of years we have been attending church with them!

Just had to share.

So sorry!

To my blog followers, I am sorry for this long period between posts. Sometimes I forget to blog!

Life here is about the same. Junior is working 12 hr. shifts 4 nights/week at ASI in Whitestown. My brother says he is too old to be working all night, LOL. He sleeps most of the day. He goes to bed as I am getting up. It is a different lifestyle for us, but we are just thankful he has a job and this week he will get his 1st paycheck with 8 hrs. overtime! For that, we are grateful! We are just thankful he has a job. And praying Junior's health will stay well enough for him to continue this until something else comes along.

Easter was good. We don't do much for Easter except go to church. It is our Lord's resurrection. We celebrate that! I was able to attend both services on Sunday. We had 353 in attendance Sunday a.m. We were pretty full! It was a good time of celebration to our Lord. Sunday night we had communion and Junior was asked to help with that.

We have finally talked Preston into dressing casual for Sunday night, instead of dressing up. It was either that or not go to church. And he is so happy that he has decided to do this. Sunday night he dressed himself and came out and said he didn't feel as nervous as he usually does and was able to attend church and did fine! So ties, belts, etc., are done away with for now. Pants he can just pull up and over the head t-shirts with 3/4 length sleeves without a bunch of buttons to do up, is the way to go for him! So that has solved a big problem! Thank the Lord for that.

Missie is taking therapy at least again this week. She has exercises she does at home every day. We will see what happens with therapy after Friday. The dr. can appeal so hopefully she can get more therapy. It does seem to help. She can't stay on her feet a lot, though, or run or ride her bike yet. The part about her legs going numb is something pushing against a nerve. So! We are still trying to get her help with her hypermobility! She helped at the school Mon. p.m. with "Spring Fling" for all of the Sunday School children. She loves Frankfort, her school, and all the activities when she is well enough to do them! And she loves having friends!

So that is about it for this time! I will try to do better with blogging!