July 12th, 2012

 Sarah has a friend visiting for 3 weeks.  So this week Sarah, Hannah (local friend) and Anna are each making a quilt.  That have done a fantastic job.  They are each making a small quilt, but they got the tops together in a few mornings.  Next week I will start to teach them how to hand quilt them!

 After Kevin's doctor appointment today in Kansas City we went to check out a few tea shops near his doctor's office.  Never hurts to see what others who sell tea do.  Both of them were "tea rooms" where you could go in and order tea and food and sit at a table.  We don't do that, but they also sell loose teas so that is where our interest was.  I always enjoy seeing what others in the same field are doing. :)

~~~~Kathy~~~~~

June 29, 2012

SOUTH AFRICA BOUND 

Zach and a friend are in South Africa right now.  This picture was taken as they were getting ready to board their first time.  It was a crazy trip for them.  They landed in SA 48 hours later than they were scheduled! They are splitting their time between Johannesburg and Durban.  Right now they are in Durban with almost no internet so we have had only 1 short note from Zach.  Can't wait till he gets back to Jtown when we hope to be able to Skype with him.  We did see one photo of him being taught the Zulu language by 2 young boys!  Tee Hee  wish I had been there to see that.  :)

WEEKEND AWAY  

Becca and I recently had a weekend away by ourselves.  We started at Missouri Town 1855.  We had a great time.  Took a rag rug class.  Couldn't have asked for a better day.  We had a little reprieve from the 100` weather.  That particular morning it didn't get above 80!  We were so thankful for the cool temps as we sat on the porch of the tavern and learned a new skill.  Can't wait to hit the thift stores for old sheets to get started on a rug!

LAMBS

Loved the baby lambs.  We could have watched them for a long time!  I just love how they skip and jump.  So happy!

TEACHER 

Our fantastic instructor.  Loved the period costume.

TURKEYS 

I think she was watching the turkeys at this point.  3 very large turkeys walking thru the yard.

SNAKE!!!!!  

We got with in a foot or 2 of stepping on this guys.  Yes, lots of screaming and running before I gathered my wits and went back to take a picture of him.  He was about 3 foot long.  I was told that he was small.  They have seen them up to 10 foot long there!  Thankful we saw a small one!

SIGN  

I took this because it is what I want for the store.  Well, not quite like it, maybe a tea pot instead of an anvil, but you get the idea. :)

~~~~Kathy~~~~~~

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all you fathers out there.

We had a great day around here.  Up early for church.  Home for a bit of gift giving and then steaks on the grill and baked potatoes.  Later in the afternoon we all met again at the dining room table to have some fondue.  We were introduced to fondue by our friends, Greg and Deanna, in Florida and it is a treat to have every so often!

Life is really starting to feel kind of "normal" around here again and it is GREAT!

~~~Kathy~~~

Kevin's Update April 12, 2012

I have not updated our blog in many weeks.  My treatment for Multiple Myeloma went very well. My doctors all seem encouraged by my progress and so that encourages us. The last time they did a blood test for the myeloma they could not find any evidence of the cancer. In two weeks I will hit day 100 after my transplant.  That day is a significant milestone and I will have a series of tests run at that time to allow the doctors to analyze  and confirm the state of my cancer. We will get the results of those tests on May 7th.

Recently I began going back to work.  While this has been a great thing and indicates the progress I have made it is also hard.  I like to be busy and going back to work has caused me to want to do more and more.  So I have a struggle, because I feel very good, with not doing too much.  I can feel it when I do too much.  Kathy, and others, are trying to keep me in check and I need to remember to listen to them (Kathy especially).

Today is a grey, cool day in Leavenworth. We are expecting rain the next few days.  What a great day to enjoy a cup of tea with a friend or alongside a good book.

Have a great day and rejoice in the Creator as you think about all you have been given.

Kevin

March 1st Update

I was reminded today that it has been a couple of weeks since I last updated our blog.  I have had some very encouraging news the last couple of weeks. 

As some of you might know I started this journey with Multiple Myeloma because I was having hives.  The hives finally got to a point where Kathy convinced me I needed to see a doctor and that led to my diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma.  About three weeks ago I started breaking out again.  The pattern was different but I asked the doctor to check for the protein that is the indicator for Myeloma.  Last Friday we got the results of that test back and the cancer is unobserved.  That means the stem cell transplant worked and the cancer is knocked down to a level that can be managed for awhile. 

Additionally my blood counts (white blood count, platelets and  my ANC) are all in the normal range.  That means I am progressing as I should.  I have also been feeling much better the last two weeks.  So I am very happy with the progress I am making. The only major problem I have at this point is neuropathy in my feet.  We are dealing with that through medication. 

As always your continued prayers are a blessing to me and the rest of the family.

 Kevin

Kevin's Update 16 February

I have been home for 2 and 1/2 weeks now.  For the most part I feel like I am improving everyday.  Today I will see if that is true or not as I have a doctor visit and will have blood work done.  I am hopeful that my numbers will be up significantly from last week.


A couple of weeks ago our church made this wonderful banner for Kathy and I 

What a great group of friends we have at Church of the Open Door.  

This morning I came upon a wonderful passage of scripture in Isaiah, Chapter 55 Verses 6 - 7.  Seek the Lord while he may be found; Call on him while he is near.  Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.  

So I was thinking about these verses when I read Colossians 1: 12 - 14 ... giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.  For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 

Isaiah tells us to turn away from darkness and call on the Lord for our salvation and then we see the fulfillment of that idea in Paul's writing about the Son providing redemption and forgiveness.  What a wonderful gift God's mercy is. 

FInally at Home Jan 30, 2012

Here I am in my own bedroom and in a new recliner.  Seems like it was a very long time at the Hope Lodge but in reality we were only there 21 days.  I will have to stay in my room (for the most part) for the majority of the next 80 days.  Thanks for your continued prayers.

Our God is faithful in all things.

Kevin