suddenly, some perspective

While the problems have not gone away, there is a peace, which I am CERTAIN is coming from those of you out there, that are praying (or thinking positive thoughts, if you are not the praying type) for us.  Things are still challenging, but there is hope.  I'll give more details on that as we get more details. 

As far as Maggie goes, her seizure seems to be Thyroid-related, so getting her on thyroid meds and getting her weight down should solve most of the issues.

Annie had her wisdom teeth out today.  That went reasonably well, all things considered.  She seems to be handling the pain reasonably well, so far.  Tomorrow might be the most challenging day, though, according to the Dr.

But the real kicker on the day is that one of my best friends, back in Portland sent me a rather shocking text while I was waiting for Annie to be done.  This is one of my 'Threefold Cord" friends (three of us that support, and pray for, and encourage, each other through marital issues and parenting challenges and spiritual searching etc - we keep a private blog, that only the three of us can see, and share things we are thankful for, even in the challenges that we are all facing, and ways that we can pray for each other, etc)  anyway - one of those two gals texted me today to let me know that her father-in-law is missing in the Ukraine.  He is there on a mission trip, due to come home later this week.  He has been helping set up a health clinic of some sort.  He went for a walk this morning, and did not return.  There is concern that there is foul play involved. 

My problems seem so minor now.  Not that we are playing one-up-manship games or anything, but it does offer some perspective, at the same time. 

Please keep this man, and his family, in your prayers.  His wife is at their home, in Yakima, she did not accompany him on this trip.  The three sons all live several hours away, I believe.  (I know one is in Portland, obviously, and one is in California, not sure where the third one is).  And obviously have families and jobs of their own that are difficult to 'drop' and 'run'.  Lisa (my friend) was telling me how they WANT to get up to Yakima, to be with Greg's mother, but their daughter has a bunch of 'end of the year' events, between school, and orchestra, that make it difficult to get away for several days yet, and even then, it will only be a couple of days that they can go for.  Anyway, just keep them all in your prayers.  His name is Dr. Jay Sloop.