Answered Prayers

Sorry it's been a while since a post, but we had a busy Fourth of July weekend camping with the Sauder family and going to the Rassi reunion.

I'm very excited to report that many prayers have been answered in the last week as the paralysis of my face is improving greatly.  It was a sudden improvement the second half of last week.  I can now close my right eye, and can chew on the right side of my mouth.  If I make small smiles, you can't tell the difference between right and left side, but if I smile real big or laugh, you can still tell.  I'm thankful to not have to use the eye tent at night anymore.  It's been a very exciting week.

I'm able to get around better this week than last.  Walking is going a lot better, but I found out camping that it is a lot harder at night on rough ground.  The main thing holding me back now is headaches.  If I move fast, bend over, stand up fast, then they hit me.  It's not unbearable, and probably a good thing to keep me moving slower and keep me from over-exerting myself.

This week and next we are focused on getting ready to head to Indiana, and I"m working a few hours each day.  We are finding that as life starts to return to normal, we have the same challenges we had before.  It seems the kids are feeling the effects of being away from us in the last few weeks.  Leann and I need patience as we work through details of finishing the house.

As you pray for us, please pray that I would continue to heal and the headaches would subside.  Please also say a prayer that we can work well together as a couple and we can have wisdom in training and rebuilding our relationship with our children.

Thanks again for all your prayers and support,
Derek & Leann