Swine Flu Update

The good news is that the kids are doing a lot better. There's still a lot of coughing, sneezing, and whining but they are on the downhill slide.

The bad news is that John and I have this virus full force. We went to the public hospital to get Tamiflu, which is supposed to minimize the symptoms and shorten the duration of the flu. I have been taking it for four days and feel less like I have the flu and more like I have a terrible cold. John just got a fever last night so we picked up his medicine today. I hope it does at least the same for him if not more than it has done for me.

It's difficult for healthy parents to take care of three sick kids but even more difficult for sick parents to take care of any kids at all. Please keep us in your prayers and do your best to avoid this nasty virus until the vaccine is available.

Week Two in the Pigpen

Today marks the beginning of the second week that we've been battling the swine flu virus in our home. Andy has been the hardest hit and is taking an antibiotic for pneumonia. He has been responding well to the medication but woke up this morning with a fever, so we'll be taking him to see his doctor a little later this morning.

Ben and I woke up in the middle of the night with a fever. We thought we had both recovered and were on the mend. I've been advised to go to the public hospital to receive Tamiflu in case this is just the beginning of this particular virus for me. I was the first one sick but it may have been with a different illness, as this is the first time I've had a fever. The kids' doctor wants to see Ben as well this morning.

Jonah still has a cough but is impressive in his ability to ignore the virus and continue to function well. John has still not been affected and has been playing nurse to the rest of us.

This is an aggressive but erratic illness and we continue to ask for your prayers that our family will recover soon.

Our Ongoing Battle With H1N1

Today is the sixth day we've had the nasty H1N1 virus in our home. Jonah is much better and Ben is on the mend. I have only a cough remaining and John's health has not been affected.

Andy, however, is still very sick. He had a chest x-ray today that showed the beginning signs of pneumonia. The doctor started him on an antibiotic and will monitor him daily. They did not want to admit him into the hospital due to the aggressive nature of the way this virus spreads. We know he will be more comfortable at home and trust that he will heal from this but we do ask for your continued prayers.

Swine Flu

About a week after we got back to Brazil, I got hit so hard with a flu bug that it had me unable to lift my head for about an hour. I was fine after that as long as I was sitting or lying down. That evening, just as I was feeling better, Andy started to run a fever. The next day he was very sick with body aches and an upset stomach. Then Jonah caught it. Jonah started to feel better about the time Ben started running a fever.

We took Andy to the doctor today because he has run a steady fever of about 102º for over three days. After evaluating Andy and asking us some questions, the doctor sent us to the hospital to test for swine flu. He said it was standard procedure for anyone with Andy's symptoms who had travelled to the United States within the past week or two.

After leaving the hospital, we are officially under house quarantine for at least the next seven days. Ben will be seen by the doctor tomorrow and we may have more news after that.

For now, we ask you to pray for Andy because he is in quite a bit of pain and has trouble getting any sleep. Ben is doing a little better but is also having trouble sleeping and has a constant fever that Tylenol and ibuprofen don't control.

I will keep you posted on any new developments.

Another Birth in the Family

On June 26 we witnessed a birth.  It was the birth of my mother into the family of God.  She made the decision to become a child of God and, because the Bible says that anyone who believes in Jesus Christ and wants to follow him should be baptized, she did so.  On that Friday she started a new life.

John, Andy (4), my brother Mike, me holding Ben, My mom (after her baptism), Jonah (7), and Bill, my mom's boyfriend

Usually we include a photo or two of a baptism, but this time I am posting several.  One reason is selfish, because each picture elates my soul.  Another reason is because it dawned on me that many of you may never have witnessed a baptism.  

Here are most of the people who were present:

(my brother, my three kids, and Jerry, one of the elders of the church in Springtown, Texas.  He came to open the building for us because it was Friday.)

John and my mom changed into some robes that the church provides for convenience, then they stepped into the water.  John shared a few Bible verses with us:Then he asked my mom if she believes that Jesus is the son of God.  After she confirmed that statement, he baptized her in the name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit:

Though it's a mystery as to how he does it we believe that God added her to his family for her faith in him:

Now my mom and I can be certain that we will not only spend this lifetime together but also the next.  And, I must admit, I can't think of anything that makes me happier.

Sunday in Colorado

John invited his family over for church on Sunday.  You may remember that before we left for Brazil he baptized his dad and our niece's boyfriend, whom he later married to our niece.  Since then, his dad's wife has been baptized and is attending a local church.  His dad is now in better spirits than we've ever seen him, and our niece and her husband are happy together and being great parents to their two year old.  We couldn't be prouder.

It was great to see how the family is growing together since our last visit.  John reminded them that together we are the church and suggested that they meet together regularly to worship God and encourage one another. 

John's sister Gina invited her friend, who was baptized in the bathtub that same morning.  It turned out to be the best day of our furlough yet.  

If you want to see some more photos of our travels so far, go to "Furlough Photos"

Our Temporary Phone Number

You can reach us at this number until July 25th, while we're in the States: (615) 584-8810.