Back to Phoenix

It's been an agonizing week or more since I've been back to Hawaii. Dan is extremely encephalopathic now and calls a lot, sometimes making sense and often times not. His parents are taking very good care of him, and the stories of Dan's high ammonia "activities" would make a good comedy show or book - we never knew Dan had such a vivid imagination.

I've made the difficult decision to return to Phoenix for an extended period of time, maybe a few months. Dan's MELD is at 34 now, transplant could be anytime now, but mostly to provide emotional support for him and also for me. In the past when I've asked him if he wanted me to come, he would say no, to stay in Hawaii with work and take care of my Mom. However the past few days, he has begged me to come back and stay with him, so with the blessing of Mom and my bosses at work, I will be going back.

There have been so many people praying and supporting me/us and I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I wish I could share with each and every one of you how your calls, emails, hugs, gifts have impacted my life. What may seem a very small thing to you is life-changing to me. I have begged God for answers to prayer, and then your email comes with a scripture that speaks truth to my heart. I have been so exhausted and you smile when I pass by or reach out to hug me or email me a funny story, and my thirst is quenched. I have looked at my checkbook and wondered how I would afford another flight to Phoenix with the outrageous prices of airfare, and your gift arrives in my mailbox and I am again humbled by your sacrificial love for us. I have cried over my circumstances, then I hear how you have used our blog writings in your Bible studies or as a testimony to another, and my spirit is lifted, for we are convinced our circumstances are really not about us but are for others. I have been a "basket case" recently, yet somehow I have peace, for I am bathed in your prayers, and God has answered those prayers. Father, may my life draw others closer to You; may our weakness and openness about that weakness along with Your strength, renew others' faith and belief in You.

"And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed." Deuteronomy 31:8 (Thanks, Patrick and Annie, for your email that included this amazing verse).

Debbie

Special Days

Happy Father's Day to 3 wonderful men in my life: my husband Dan, father-in-law Vern, and son-in-law Adam. These extraordinary men demonstrate strength, love, patience, sense of humor, and faithfulness to family and God. And height...they are all over 6' tall, with Adam the tallest at 6'6".

Happy 50th Anniversary to Dan's parents, Vern and Karen. What an amazing couple. I wish everyone had the opportunity to know their warmth, hospitality, compassion, and positive outlook on life. Their deep faith in God is evident in everything they do and how they live. Family is priority, and the rich traditions, photos and stories are joyfully remembered and shared, particularly at holidays and reunions. We are their legacy, beneficiaries of their unconditional love, serving God, and enjoying life to the fullest. Vern and Karen, I wish you many more years of health, happiness, laughter, and love.

With blessings like these, life doesn't get much better than this!

Aloha,
Debbie