New Link

We have added a new link to our list on the left. It is a "Fun"raising Carnival. Our neighborhood is putting on a carnival for us to help us raise funds for our trip to Guatemala. We have set-up a web page with the details and directions to get to our neighborhood.

One of the activities at the carnival will be a silent auction. We are asking people to donate things that can be bid on during the carnival. It is a little overwhelming to see the generosity and effort that is already taking place. We are so thankful and appreciative.

We are currently searching for airline tickets. With all the talk of airline prices going up, we are thinking we need to purchase tickets soon! We are praying about Lori and the kids going by airplane while Don drives the 4runner through Mexico with a bilingual, missionary friend of ours. We are just seeking the Lord's plan and guidance on this. If you think of us, we would so appreciate your prayers!

Don't forget to check out the carnival web page. We will be adding more details as it comes together! Thanks for reading!

Back to School

This last week, I attended the Nebraska state PA conference. I am required to attend continuing education in order to maintain my lisence to practice medicine. The 18th was Caleb's eleventh birthday, so we got an extra hotel room and went as a family. There was a pool with HUGE waterslides and a fun museum (yes, our homeschooled kids do think museums are fun).

We seek to live in a state of expectation that all things happen on purpose. We had felt a lot of peace that we were suppose to attend this conference. Why this one and not another? During the first morning of lectures I received an answer. The lecture was on Pediatric Neurology. Among the many aliments, the speaker talked about Hydrocephalus (in Latin - "water head"). It is really a plumbing problem. The water (CSF) that circulates around the brain is not allowed to flow out freely, causing backpressure. Untreated, these kids do not survive. In the U.S., this is a straight forward surgical fix. In Guatemala, not such an easy fix. Above is a picture of our friend, Dr. Heidi Bell, examining a child with Hydrocephalus. When I was in Guatemala helping with the medical clinics, we would see about one child a week that had this issue.

After the lecture, I asked the speaker about possible non-surgical options (there aren't too many pediatric neurosurgeons running around the highlands of Guatemala). We had a good discussion lasting for several minutes. He told me that, in the past, they would wrap the heads of the babies to apply pressure which would cause the water to be absorbed. Although there can be complications and it won't always help, he had heard of missionaries trying this with some success. My next step is to do some research in old medical journals (at least 30 years old) to see how this had been done in the past.

It was exciting to me to discuss a treatment for these sick kids that could really change their outcome. Also, I am excited because I am sensing a shift in how I am thinking about medicine and feel like God is preparing me to go and serve. - Don

IT'S HERE!!

Don is in love (well, besides me and the kids!). His 4runner arrived this morning just before we had to go to church. So his idea was for us to HAVE to take TWO cars to church!! (quite convenient, don't you think??) The kids are very excited as well (as you can see!). We feel so overwhelmed and blessed by the Lord. In His word, the Lord says "Delight yourself in me and I will give you the desires of your heart." I look at the 4runner and yes, it is the perfect vehicle for us to take to Guatemala, but the deep desire on our hearts is to go to Guatemala and serve the Lord according to His plans and purposes for our family. It just blesses us to know that we are one step closer! Thanks for praying!

Oh yeah, we are now considering driving through Mexico to get to Guatemala - maybe, you should keep praying!! Thanks.

Job and 4runner Updates

I found out this week that a leave of absence will not be an option for our trip. On one hand, this is a relief. It removes the problem of the other PA's trying to cover my shifts while I am gone. On the other hand, this makes the decision to go without having a job on our return a little more real.

Our 4runner is still in California. After two weeks of waiting, the original transport company still had not picked up the truck. After praying about this, I made the decision to look for another company. Things have really seemed to fall into place with this decision. We found a company based in Omaha and are very hopeful that it will be delivered soon.

We are seeking to hold all things with an open hand, prayerfully trusting for God to provide; for a job, for our truck, for all things. As we move forward, we continue to appreciate your prayers. Thank you, Don