Beyond Bringing Up Boys

The first Sunday after Easter this spring, we decided to attend the services of a church just a couple of miles from our house. The congregation had outgrown 3 previous "sanctuaries," the first being a mobile home, and were worshiping in the gymnasium, while anticipating the completion of their new "house." We were met that sunny Sunday morning by a gracious greeter who offered the directions to the children’s services. We declined. After all, we had been trying to find a church home for almost a year, and after each visit, our boys would beg, "Can we make this our church home?" We were all so relationally hungry. That Sunday was different. Almost from the first moments, we sensed a difference… We had found a spiritual oasis we were searching for. Yesterday was the dedication service our new "House." It is a beautiful building that will house 800, and should allow us to meet in one service for awhile. The balcony is unfinished, but yesterday’s se...

7pm Platelets were transfused this afternoon once Don's fever went down. Just found out that the chest x-ray was clear but no other word about the other tests today but blood cultures take a minimum of 2 days... 10:30 AM Just last night when David spoke to his mom, we rejoiced as a family that Don’s platelets had held steady and for the first time in weeks, it was not necessary to have a platelet transfusion. That news, in combination with the doctor’s report yesterday morning that once his white count reached 1.0, he could be released, had us all giving thanks. This morning though, the news is not good. His platelets and white count has fallen. Perhaps the most alarming is that he is once again running a fever and fluid has accumulated in his bronchial tubes. A chest x-ray, among other test has been ordered. Charles and Lisa, who would normally leave immediately for the Quad Cities, have commitments this week in Des Moines and cannot leave without hurting their daughters, who are ...