Stan's return

Stan returns tomorrow from South Africa and we are all so excited. Stan is a very "hands on" husband and father and we love and miss him so much. When he is away, we realize again and again how much we depend on him for so much beyond his love and care for his family. We praise God for our father in heaven who continues to care for us and show us His blessings regardless of what happens. Since Stan has been gone:

* Both myself and the kids have been sick with sore throats, sinus and ear infections. The blessing: Noone was sick at the same time, friends have been there to help out when we most needed them. We each took turns caring for each other.
* Soon after Stan left, the toilet on the main floor decided to overflow onto the bathroom floor, hallway, laundry room, and basement floor. The blessing: We own a Shop and Vac and I was able to turn off the water, suck it up, and fix the toilet as well as drill holes in the venting system in the basement (although, Stan had to direct me over the phone from SA while I was standing on the ladder with the drill). The blessing: a wonderful neighbor and friend came over to make sure all pilot lights were still on the furnaces and water heaters.
* Prepare for a medical procedure that required a complete body inner cleansing while still caring for the kids. The blessing: A dear friend took me for the procedure, waited for me, took me home and sat with me for 2 more hours to make sure that I did not do anything silly like pass out, trip and fall, or sign some binding legal agreement. :). The results of the procedure came out "all clear". Friends also helped get the kids where they needed to go, since I could not drive for almost 2 days.
* Call and coordinate with roofing vendors, contractors, etc. Blessing: Lots of phone conversations with Stan from SA using his international cell phone that his company provided. Stan would help me speak to these vendors in an intelligent way, so "they" thought I knew what I was talking about. We just thought we would have a new roof put on house before we left for SA. Really, it is needed, just one more thing to add to the list as well as some house repairs.
* Christina's pet "Grow a Frog, Bubbles" decided after 3 years to die after she donated him to her classroom for a class pet. All the kids in her class had to see his demise as well. Blessing: Christina was able to grieve not just her pet, but leaving a home and community that she dearly loves, and I got to hold her tight, while she did this.
* Angela tripped and slipped down the stairs in our home and hurt her back while producing a bruise and large lump. Blessing: I got to hold her tight until it started to feel better.
* In spite of all of the above, continue to pack and coordinate all the many details needed to leave the U.S. for 1 1/2 years. Blessing: Our God is a God of details and continues to be there every step of the way.

If you are looking for Christina's first blog entry, you will have to wait until Saturday, because of her "way too busy" social calendar. I assure you, it will be worth waiting for. Christina is an excellent writer and we are constantly amazed at her writing skills.