And another update

Last week one of the endocrinologists nurses called and went over the full report with me.  She said that while some of Emma's levels showed up low for growth hormone, that overall she passed the test and is producing growth hormone.   She also said that her thyroid looked normal.  Praise God!  So, the plan for now is to keep track of her growth each month, send it to the Dr. and just keep an eye on her to see what exactly her growth is like.  The Dr in Cincinnatti is willing to work with us long-distance and to even get in touch with the endocrinologist that we have overseas.  We are very thankful.

I'm not sure where the time is going, but it is going!  I guess the travel, lack of "normal" schedule and all makes it hard to remember to do things like update you:)

I know, I'll send some pictures. . . if I remember. . .

Update on Emma

Friends,
Thanks for praying and asking about Emma and her tests over the last weeks.  I have lots of pictures to share, but will just share about her for lack of time right now.

She had an MRI and it came back normal.  They were looking at her pituitary gland to see if there was anything obstructing it, keeping growth hormone from being released.  It went really smoothly, even as she had to be put out for it, and she was actually really funny from the calming drugs they gave her.  She told one of the nurses that she had 4 eyes.

The other test that we needed to get is called a stimulation test.  Its a 4 hour test where they take blood, give you 2 kinds of different drugs at different times and then keep drawing blood.  5 blood draws in all.  The childrens hospital in Louisville was booked until September so they sent us to another hosptial 45 min. away.  Lets just sum up that visit by saying that after the technician tried to stick to large of a needle in my little girls arm, I picked her up and walked out of the test.  It was a bad experience.

Well, we only had about a week left in KY, and I don't have pediatric endocrinologist anywhere else, so Mark and I prayed for God's help.  And it just so happens that the sweet folks we were staying with, told us about their daughter in law's father who is a Dr in another city.  He was gracious and answered our call and had a connection in Cincinnati that would try and get the test and follow up done  before we left.  Indeed they scheduled Emma's test for the next day after getting her records and a dear friend gave up her day(and her Hubs stayed with their 5 kids) so that she could drive Emma and I 2 hours up to Cincinnati to get the test done.  They were great with Emma, but the test itself was not so fun. 5 blood draws from her one little arm, not to mention the second drug that made her blood pressure low, which made her sleepy, but also made her irritable so that her legs went crazy and she couldn't sleep.  AHHHH.  We were glad to get it done and get out of there.

This test if she passed it means that she doesn't have a growth hormone deficiency.  If she fails, it means that she should have daily growth hormone injections.  I asked the nurse how long she would need these. She answered, "until puberty".  Hmm.  Wasn't thinking that long. 

Well, the nurse called me yesterday and said that Emma passed the test!!  Which means no growth hormone deficiency.  From what I understand if your blood results average below 10 you qualify for growth hormone deficiency.  Emma had numbers below 10, but her average was above, so they say she is making some growth hormone.  I'm relieved.  And yet, we wonder still what the cause for her slow growth is.  The nurse said that there was something about her thyroid numbers that was off and that when the DR is back on Tue would look at the tests and then get back to me to see if there is something we can do. 

Thank God that Emma is happy and healthy.  We are thankful for these tests and results.  Please keep praying for wisdom for the Dr's and for us to see if there is anything we can do to help her grow more!

Moving along

The kids are taking swimming lessons at the Seminary.  Miss Rebekkah is a great teacher.  The bigs have been greatly improving, swimming underwater without goggles!  Judson and Emma cried the whole first lesson, but this last lesson actually got in the water.  Emma won't do anything without Jud.  And Jud decides when he will participate!  I'm hoping to be able to relax a little at a pool later in the summer not having to worry so much about kids who can't swim!

A return to the Louisville zoo! 

Catching frogs in the backyard has been fun.  Although Lawrence was extremely upset with me for losing this one in the yard and not spending time looking for him. 

Emma had her MRI on Tue.  It was an all afternoon affair as they had to put her out.  She was hilarious when they gave her the "relax" medicine before the took her and put her under.  I wish I would have had my camera.  She did great and they called yesterday to say that everything is as it should be, meaning, no tumors that are hindering her pituitary gland from releasing growth hormone.  AND, the other test, a stimulation test that she needs to have was booked until September, but just yesterday they called with a cancellation in a city about an hour from here.  So, we are scheduled next Thursday.  Thankful to be able to get all this taken care of while we are in KY!!

Me and Moses

This is an excerpt from the devotional that I use each morning.

THERE ARE FEW PASSAGES in the Pentateuch which on first reading are more discouraging than the outcome of Numbers 20:1-13.

Yet the account carries some subtle complexities. It begins with more of the usual griping. The need of the people is real: they are thirsty (20:2). But instead of humbly seeking the Lord in joyous confidence that he would provide for his own people, they quarrel with Moses and charge him with the usual: they were better off in slavery, their current life in the desert is unbearable, and so forth.

Moses and Aaron seek the Lord’s face. The glory of God appears to them (20:6). God specifically says, “Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water” (20:8). But Moses has had it. He assembles the crowd and cries, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” (20:10) — which rhetorical question, at its face value, is more than a little pretentious. Then he strikes the rock twice, and water gushes out. But the Lord tells Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them” (20:12).

Three observations:

(1) God does not say, “Because you did not obey me enough . . . ” but “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy . . .” There was, of course, formal disobedience: God said to speak, and Moses struck the rock. But God perceives that the problem is deeper yet. The people have worn Moses down, and Moses responds in kind. His response is not only the striking of the rock, it is the answer of a man who under pressure has become bitter and pretentious (which is certainly not to say that any of us would have done any better!). What has evaporated is transparent trust in God: God is not being honored as holy.

Its so easy to be worn down by my children.  I'm talking in the first hour of the day.  And its easy to justify my impatience, anger, irritability and self-sufficiency.  I am quick to roll my eyes if others are around.  I'm quick to dread the rest of the day until they are tucked into bed, quiet, cute and easy to love. I'm quick to believe conventional wisdom that says I have too many kids and thats why I'm exasperated.   And yet, I'm responsible for my response to them, just as Moses was in leading the people.  If I take matters into my own hand, get angry, and "strike the rock", meaning lash out at the children, then I'm responsible, no matter how hot the fire seems.  Yes, the Isrealites were ridiculous in blaming Moses, and not looking to God to meet their need.  Yes, my kids are demanding, selfish and think the world revolves around them.  They are responsible for that.  Yet it doesn't give me an excuse to respond in kind with bitterness and pretention.  May God give me transparent trust in God, that I may honor Him as Holy, no matter the circumstances.

Slow going

Slowly getting adjusted.  Kids are sleeping at night, but my body is still working to feel normal.  And, I love some American grocery stores, but I'm a tad bit overwhelmed.  I came out from a quick grocery run the other day(during which I couldn't find a worker to check me out, I finally said loudly, "I guess self check out is the way to go" to which no one responded.  Oh, but Im telling you that after I came out I opened a door of a car that looked like mine, and got in the passenger side to see that it wasn't Mark at the wheel, but a very surprised blond woman.  Hm. . . .

Anyway, call me.  502-407-7130.  However, we are living in a basement right now, so we actually don't get reception. BUT, you can always call and hope we are out, or that I'll respond to your voicemail:)

We made it.

We're back in the land of freedom friends.  It was, as expected, a long and exhausting trip.  But, we made it and are so thankful for friends who picked us up and have made us welcome. 

I'm actually the only one awake at 9am as we got in and to bed by 3am.  Lawrence held out and got the "lack of sleep" award as he slept about 1 1/2 hours of the 24 hour door to door travel day.  Mark took the brunt of this reality as he sat with the boys on the 14 hour flight.  He gets the "perseverance" award.  Caroline gets the "most movies watched" award on the flight.  She confessed to watching Mulan twice and Bolt 3 times. . . Emma gets "most sleep and comfort" award as she crashed on the floor for about 7 hours on the long flight.  Pays to be little I guess!!

We are without phones for a few days, until we get them in the mail and get them activated.  Will let you know a number when we get them.

We take Emma to the endocrinologist tomorrow(wed).  Pray for wisdom for the dr's and for quick follow up appointments so we can get this growth hormone thing figured out!

Goodbyes

We are getting on a plan tomorrow to come to the States.  I'm excited after being gone for almost 2 years, and yet its been bittersweet as we have, once again, had to say some goodbyes.   The picture above is of our neighbors and friends sons birthday party.  I met Cheryl one of the first weeks we had moved back in country.  I thought she was local and stopped her outside asking her if she knew our zipcode.  She laughed, and spoke in English and said she did.  She then offered to let me use her internet and has been helping/serving me in many ways ever since.  Her oldest is the same age as Lawrence and they have been friends for 2 years.  They are moving up north before we return back, so we had to say goodbye to them.  Cheryl and I both said that our friendship was a sweet gift from God that we didn't even ask for.  I'm very thankful, and sad to lose her!

Lawrence had to say goodbye to his classmates and teacher as they will all graduate from Kindergarten this summer while he is gone.  What a gift this school has been.  Some of you remember that last year our old Kindergarten wouldn't let us return because of, well, some behavior issues.  This year the teacher and kids were sad to say goodbye, and Lawrence himself was sad!  I'm so thankful for God's gift of this school and his work in Lawrences life.

Lawrences patient, helpful, teacher.

Christie, far right, has been our friend and teammate for 2 years.  She and her hubs will head back to the states this summer.  We will miss them much!  Our kids will too!!

If you read this some part of May 5 or 6, pray for us as we travel.  Pray for me to willingly serve, to be patient, slow to anger, and not irritable. 

Thanks!  See you next time from across the pond.