Groundhog says 6 more weeks of winter!

I am sure most people in the U.S. are eagerly awaiting springtime.   The cold wind and freezing temperatures reached middle Florida this past weekend.   I didn't see any here, but iguanas are falling to the ground and dying in this weather.  Farmers sprayed water over the blueberry and strawberry farms to protect the crops.   We have another cold week with next Sunday being down to freezing temperatures again.   

One weatherman's post says our warmer temperatures will return about the middle of February.  We have sympathy for the many people suffering without power due to ice and snow storms in many cities of the U.S.

The past three weeks have been a challenge for us personally.   While we could relax that our girls in Asia are doing well and safe with house parents, our personal lives have not been easy.   

While I still work from the couch with my fractured foot propped up in a "boot," our condo life has been busy.   Ron continued to prepare meals and keep the kitchen clean while workers were in and out tearing up our bathroom.   Because the leak was a sewage pipe, they returned and torn out our ceiling, another wall in the bathroom and the closet wall behind the toilet.    They (supposedly) wiped pipes and treated all areas to kill any bacteria.   They ran large fans/air purifiers that were too loud to sleep with, so we unplugged them at night.   They roared like a train coming through and pulled a lot of electricity.  Our electric bill increased and the next one will also reflect an increase from the continued fans and heat because of the cold weather.    

The contents of the closet had to be removed and piled on the bed but since they finished the demolishing of the well, we temporarily have things back in the closet.   We cannot move anything back permanently into the bath or closet until they return with workers to replace the drywall.   No one has any idea when that will be so we continue to live in a mess until that is completed.   When they install drywall and ceiling but we have to do the painting ourselves.    

I will go for an X-ray of my foot on Friday.   Although it is much better, there is still soreness where the bone was fractured.   I expect to have to wear the boot for an additional two weeks (a full 6 weeks).   It is not painful and I am able to get around and help with the cooking but not the cleaning just yet.  Walking with the boot, I don't feel very stable and I can not move around very well.   I will have to be careful once I am out of the boot to allow the foot to strengthen again.

Ronald and Gigi are on their way to the U.S.   They will arrive in Atlanta on 2/3 about 12:30 p.m.   After a few days' rest, he will be searching to find a doctor to remove the polyps in his colon.   That has not been worked out yet.    We are praying they have a safe trip and his health issues will be resolved soon.

We hope February will be a more uplifting and easier month than January for our family.   We are all looking toward having stronger and better health with the arrival of spring.

The instability of our country and the entire world is enough to concern us all.  But, remember that God is still in charge over the universe and He can do everything.    He cares for us and no matter what struggles we have in life, God is with us and He cares.   Just knowing that heaven awaits us, makes us winners!    

May God bless all of you with a great New Year.

Some days seem longer than others...

This is the 12th day since I sprained my foot but it seems much longer to both Ron and me.   Ron continues to take care of me and do almost everything.   Although I can walk with the boot, he wants me to stay off of my feet as much as possible.   It is still slightly swollen and sore on the side where the bone is fractured.    I guess it is slowly improving but progress is hard to see each day.  Finding a comfortable way to sleep is difficult.   I hope I can realize that there is improvement soon.

Our plumbing problem turned out to be easier than expected.   The workers started in our condo on the lst floor at 8:30 a.m. on Monday morning.   By the end of the day, we had the use of our facilities again. They said we got the work done first since we live on the first floor.  They continued to be in and out on the 2nd day as they continued upward with the installation of a new drainage pipe.   The men were very kind and professional.    We are now waiting to hear when the drywall and ceiling will be replaced.  We will be responsible for the painting but that is not a major problem.   The cut in the wall was done neatly and no tile or other things were damaged.

Ron will have a CT scan of his kidneys on the 29th.   He has cysts on both kidneys and a CT scan is needed to determine what, if any, treatment is needed.   We just pray this is not a problem for now and it can just be checked again later on for complications.    

Ronald still has no confirmation for a doctor or schedule for removal of the polys in his colon.    The doctor we hoped he could get does not have an opening in his schedule until May.   When I have more information, I will post again.

Weather for January is difficult for many people as many places in the world are experiencing a very cold winter.   A new winter storm is heading across the southern states this weekend.  We pray for people who suffer with the cold, power outages and potential accidents that are weather-related.  We hope Ronald will not have frozen and broken pipes in his condo in Cartersville if they lose power this weekend.

It is chilly here in Florida but more like fall weather this far south.  

Our work goes on normally without anything to report.    Our girls and the children at the orphanage in the Philippines are doing well.   We are thankful for routine and ordinary times for them to attend school and live normal lives.

I have, somehow, from a couch, sent out the majority of the tax letters to donors.   I expect to complete the task by the end of this week.   Again, we thank our sponsors and supporters for continuing to help our work in Asia.

God bless you during this cold winter!  

Can we go back about six months?

 I was working in my little lanai office Friday afternoon just moving ahead as I prepare tax letters for our donors.   It was a beautiful day.   Ron was out on the patio painting something.    The front wood door was open and the glass storm door was letting sunshine into the kitchen.   Someone knocked on the front door and I stood up to go to the door.   I realized my right foot was asleep and I stood there a minute, shook my foot and the lady at the door knocked louder.   I hollowed and told her "just a minute."   I started slowly walking and my foot twisted.   I did not fall but hobbled to the closest chair and told the lady to "come in."  It was a neighbor upstairs that I had not met before.   She only stayed a minute and Ron walked in from the patio door.   I told him I needed some ice as I had sprained my foot.   Saturday and Sunday I used the internet RICE suggestion  (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation).    We had a compression sock we wore on international flights and it was perfect.    Monday, it was better but I went by the clinic and they X-rayed it.   This morning they called and said there was a small fracture so I needed to wear a boot.   I went and got the boot and it feels like I am walking and balancing on stilts.    I will use it some but I also taped my foot where the small bone on the side is apparently the spot that got the most action.    My foot is still swollen some and it has turned dark from my toes to my heel but the soreness is about gone.

Ron has been my nursemaid....nursing and keeping house, fixing my meals, keeping the kitchen neat and asking me what I need.

We went to St. Pete to his Parkinson's doctor yesterday and traffic was horrible both directions.   He will take another cognitive test the last of May but the doctor said he seems to be stable without much change since the last visit.    She wants him to continue to do all the physical exercises he can as this is the best help for Parkinson's and mental stability.     It is too cold to swim now but he is going to L.A. Fitness for exercises and he can increase the days he goes there.  

The clinic made me an appointment to see an orthopedic doctor in St. Pete but I cancelled it and said it is too far and the traffic is horrible going there.   We will see our P.A. on Friday for an update on my foot and find out what she recommends about Ron seeing a urologist about the cyst on one kidney.

Ron and I are reminded of friends in Alabama who have gone to their heavenly rewards now.   When Ron used to call them, they would say they were well off enough to make their doctor appointments.  I am not a good patient...I think the healthcare system is OverKill on appointments and people are not in any better health than they were many years ago when we had nothing but a family doctor and only went to see him in a real emergency.

Last Thursday night, before my foot-twisting, I heard water running and went to the bathroom and found it flooding with water pouring from the ceiling vent.    My neighbor and I went upstairs to the man above us and he went to check his bathroom and found it flooding too.  He said water was coming through the wall so he didn't have an overflowing toilet, as I suspected.  I reported the problem to management and soon the water stopped.   I thought they had turned the water off but we still had water.   Friday morning, the management people came and said a plumber was coming soon.  In a few hours, we learned that they had corrected the leak but it was the drainage pipe and it would be replaced from lst floor to 3rd floor.   They brought in a big fan and dehumidifier and cut a hole in our ceiling to dry it out.  The fan and dehumidifier ran all weekend.  I learned today that they will come back next Monday and tear out a wall or two to replace the drain pipe.  We have a beautiful bath with wainscoting which they will not put back.   They will only replace the opening with drywall and we have to repaint it ourselves.  I don't know how many days it will be in a mess next week.  

Our three-story condo building is strong but upon inspection they found the metal and concrete stairwell on each end of the building must be replaced and they are supposed to start that very noisy work soon (it was actually suppose to have started last week).  Each condo owner had a monthly increase of $226 for a year to pay for the stairwell replacements.

Now you know why I want to go backwards (or maybe forwards) about six months...before our last reported health problems (Ronald, Ron and me) as well as our building problems.  We are not starting the new year off right but things could be a lot worse and we are still blessed.   Just listen to one day's news and then count your blessings as I do every day

I hope all of my blogspot followers have started off on the right path and have a wonderful year, day by day throughout the entire year.   God bless you all!

January update

We enjoyed our holidays with Leigh Ann and Tatum.    We did not do anything spectacular but we enjoyed some good food, exchanged some gifts and quality time with our girls here in Florida.  As always, we are thankful for health, peace and family.    We enjoyed brunch at our condo Christmas morning instead of a lunch or dinner meal together.   We enjoyed high-calorie foods that are not healthy but were delicious.

Our weather was cold during the holidays but has moderated with 50-60 degree mornings and afternoons in the 70's.    

Ronald has made contact with a possible surgeon who he hopes will remove the polyps from his colon when they return to the U.S. in February.   Gigi was able to successfully get a renewal of her VISA/Green Card from Immigration.

The children at CEA had a wonderful Christmas with parties, good food and gifts from many sources.

Sagar, our worker in Nepal is gradually improving in health once again and the young girl in the hospital in Nepal has recovered and returned to the safe house.

Ron had some medical testing done two weeks before Christmas.  The tests revealed a cyst on one kidney.   We are awaiting the doctor's advice, but we believe he will be seeing a urologist soon to get an opinion.     

It is tax season.  I am busy preparing and sending tax letters to our donors.  It was a good year for our mission work and things continue onward as we take care of up to 350 very poor girls who need an education and care.   We love and appreciate all of our supporters who are tenderhearted toward the young girls and are willing to sacrifice to make it possible for them to have a safe life, everything they need and the opportunity for an education and hope of heaven.    Many of the girls would never go to school past the 5th grade and none are likely to ever open a Bible if they were not under the care of our ministers and their wives.     We see the great changes in the girls' lives and we are thankful that you make it possible.   Please pray for our workers and the girls.  

Wishing good health and happiness to each of you.   Praying for peace and the love of God to be with you in your daily walk with HIM.    God bless you all in this new year!

Prayers answered and winter in Florida!

The medical reports from the Philippines indicate that Ronald's colon growth is pre-cancerous.

We are relieved that the report is as good as it is and we are now very hopeful that it can be removed surgically and he will have a quick recovery.   When he will return for surgery and where he will go is still to be determined.  I will post again when I have more current plans and information.   

Sagar, our worker in Nepal, has been treated by a hospital and doctors in India and he is on strong medication for pneumonia.    He will have more testing in 9 days and we ask that you continue to pray for both Sagar and Ronald until they overcome these illnesses.

It is cold in Florida.  

No, it is not quite like this but for Floridians, it feels like we should be seeing penguins walking along the beach.  When temperatures drop to morning lows in the 40's or 50's with wind gusts up to 22 mph, it feels cold.    We don't have the coats, caps and warm clothing because we seldom need it.   I just got out my winter clothing from storage and it consists of a few sweaters and light jackets.   We are sorry for the severe temperatures many of you have right now.  

I continue to watch the posts about how many days remain until spring!

If does not feel like Christmastime even with colder temperatures and palm trees with few signs of decorations other than the inflatable characters lying on the ground in front of houses.

We wish each of you a very merry and happy time with your families.   We hope everyone will have a wonderful New Year and be very blessed with health and other day-to-day concerns.   

Thank you all for your love, prayers and encouragement.   

As the old year ends, prayers are needed for our servants!

First of all, we request prayers for Sagar, our top worker in Nepal and for Ronald, our son in the Philippines.

Sagar recently received funds to supply winter clothing to all of our girls in Nepal and besides purchasing all of the clothing, he and volunteers delivered the gifts to girls in each of our 26 safe houses in various areas of Nepal.   

Sagar reports that he's had a cough for more than a month so when he slowed down enough to go to the doctor, he was diagnosed with pneumonia and remained in ICU for a few days.   He is taking medication since returning home but he will leave tomorrow (Dec. 3) for India to have a full check up.  A week ago, the doctor in Nepal said he still has fluid on his lungs and they may need to be drained again.  Please pray for Sagar's safe trip to India and a proper diagnosis and treatment to restore his health.   Our work in Nepal depends on the efforts of this good man and servant of God.

Our son, Ronald, returned to the Philippines less than a month ago after visiting and reporting to many congregations. 

He has not been feeling well but  thought he might have an ulcer.  A colonoscopy located a large polyp in his intestines.  He is scheduled to have a CT scan.  We have asked him to forward the medical reports and findings to Dr. Tom Pryor, our medical consultant in the U.S, for all of our medical advice for our girls in Asia.   As I have further information about Ronald's conditions and plans for surgery and treatment, I will post an update.

We hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving holiday and happy expectations for a peaceful and enjoyable Christmas holiday too.  

With the year coming to an end, we thank everyone who has encouraged us and helped us in so many different ways this past year.   We never know what we face in the new year but we know WHO is in charge and we trust that God will hear and answer our prayers and help us with the many challenges we face.

May God bless each of you with good health and blessings in 2026.    We love and appreciate all of you!

Baptisms in Nepal

On Sunday, October 26, Saruna and Grishma, girls in one of our safe houses in Nepal, were baptized.   The house parents of each safe house are the local minister and his wife.  The girls are taught the Bible from the day they arrive.   After a few years, they understand enough to commit their lives to the Lord and are happy to become Christians. 

Nepal is a Hindu nation and most of the 230 girls we care for in Nepal never knew the true God until coming to the safe house.  They are baptized in ponds or creeks, usually muddy and cold water, but this does not deter them from making the decision

Without the support of their sponsors, we could not finance the living expenses for the girls in each village safe house   Because of the loving sacrifice of many Christians, these girls would live their lives without an education, but more importantly, without any knowledge of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for us.

May God receive the glory for the success of our work in Asia.