Happy Birthday, Linda!

Today is Linda's 53rd birthday - Praise the Lord! We are so thankful that she is here to celebrate it, and she did so this morning already. We have more festivities planned, but we started the day off rejoicing in the wonderful life the Lord has given us.

I apologize for the limited updates. Life is very full for us, and I often do not know exactly how to give you an update on Linda. We have multiple issues we are dealing with at the moment. We are waiting to hear if a podiatrist can see her today to deal with an infection on the big toe of one foot (along with a blister on the same foot) and an ingrown toenail on the other foot. With diabetes, trouble with the feet is always a concern.

On Thursday of this past week, Linda went to see an endocrinologist about her blood sugar levels, which are quite high. It was an encouraging visit with some hopeful treatment plans. Even with increased insulin, though, her blood sugar remains extremely high. This could be due to infections (lungs, feet, upper respiratory), or to the meds prescribed to fight these infections (prednazone, levaquin). The list could go on for quite some space, but you get the idea.

Overall, Linda's medical condition is fair, at best, and that is, of course, relative. Her spirits, on the other hand, are quite good. I asked for special prayer for that a few weeks back - thank you so very much for your prayers along those lines!

We have no idea whether God is going to heal Linda physically or not. PLEASE do not write me and tell me that my faith is weak. We trust God at the highest level we are capable of trusting Him. You may believe that God will heal anyone who has enough faith, but neither Scripture nor experience support such a belief. If I sound defensive, I do not wish to, but I am weary from dealing with this issue. I do not want to ever have to deal with this directly again, but we have had a year of rebuke for a lack of faith - well-intended rebukes, to be sure, but rebukes, nonetheless. OF COURSE I want for God to heal Linda, and we continue to ask Him to do so. I refuse, however, to pretend to think that I KNOW He is going to heal her. To say so would be to presume more than I am allowed to expect. Having said all that, I know that any who scold us (well, me) love Linda deeply and want her to be healed. Thank you, every one of you, for loving us the way you do, even when you disagree with our understanding of God's ways!

Speaking of God's ways, we read in Isaiah 55 last night - oh, the good news that God has given salvation that is free! Also, the compelling news that His ways and thoughts are higher than our ways and thoughts. How much higher? You know, don't you? As high as the heavens are above the earth, His ways are that much higher than ours.

This post has been in the making for about 3 hours with many interruptions. We just heard from the podiatrist - Linda is scheduled for a 2:00 PM appointment.

SPECIAL REQUEST

Linda's parents, Marvin and Virginia Faile, have been with us for a week and had planned to leave on Wednesday. Virginia has not been feeling well the last few days, and this morning, after a restless night, she felt really bad. They left this morning to go home to Rome, Georgia. Virginia had a low-grade fever when she left, and Marvin began an 8-9 hour drive with little sleep last night. PLEASE PRAY FOR THE FAILES ON THEIR TRIP HOME!

God bless you, and again, please forgive my negative comments. I am so sorry to vent, but this journey is difficult enough as it is. The support you have given us sustains us a level that would be impossible without you. That's the way the body of Christ was designed, wasn't it? THANKS!