I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.  Psalm 121:1-2

It has been some time since we have written about Paul's recovery from his surgery back in December.  The middle of February is considered the turning point in his convalescence. Before that he wasn't sure he would ever feel good again, but once he was off the pain medication and all of the tubes were out he began to feel much better.

At the present time, he is able to eat as he did before the surgery. It was understood that as a result of his operation he would only be able to eat limited amounts at a time, which would mean eating six to eight small meals a day. The entire digestive process is going well considering the major surgery that Paul had.

Gaining strength was one of our major concerns. For over two months Paul did very little physical activity other than walking so his strength and stamina were greatly diminished. However, over the past two months he has since significant improvement in that area. With the warmer weather in March it allowed him an opportunity to be outside working in the yard, which helped to build up his strength. As a result he has also been able to resume his pottery making.  He does enjoy a nap every afternoon following lunch, which keeps his battery charged for the rest of the day.

This Thursday Paul has an appointment with Huron Gastro in Ann Arbor to schedule a scope into the stomach to see the progress that the healing has made over the past five months. Further tests will be made in August or September to see if there is any recurrence of the cancer.

It is believed that Paul's progress is ahead of schedule largely due to the prayers of so many people. He was told just last week that one of the fourth grade classes at Lenawee Christian is still praying for him. Everyone who hasn't seen Paul for some time marvel at how good he looks. He attributed it to two things, prayer and a great nurse (Gail).  Please keep praying for a good report from these tests.

Blessings and Encouragement,

Paul and Gail

Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.  Proverbs 24:27

This past week was very much a project and planning week for our daughter Rebecca's summer wedding in Georgia.  In last week's blog we eluded to the window boxes I made for Rebecca and Rick's future home and other work that was done. We have attached three pictures of us sanding, staining, and planting the window boxes.

The remainder of the week was spent planning the wedding and reception, both being held at their future home.  Gail and Rebecca had Paul measuring railings, fencing, posts, and everything that was going to be decorated for the wedding. He was also asked to make diagrams of each area where the reception is to be held.  No stone was left unturned.

In the Scripture quoted at the beginning of the blog, Rebecca is making all the preparations necessary
for that special wedding day. They both are literally doing their outside work with flowers and gardens, including a vegetable garden. She and Rick are also involved in premarital counseling in their preparation to build their home as described  in Proverbs 24:27. To build a strong marriage and a strong home requires much preparation and work and it is an ongoing process

Blessings and Encouragement,

Paul and Gail.

This has been a wonderful week of family relationships.  We left Adrian last Thursday to head to our son, Roger's, home in Mt. Sterling, KY.  He had just returned from working in Virginia for the month of March, and we had been caring for his dog, Wolfgang, while he was away from home.  With Easter weekend upon us, Gail, Paul, and Roger left for Georgia to celebrate Christ's resurrection with our daughters and future son-in-law, Rick.  Friday evening we met Christiane and then went to dinner with her and Rebecca at Mary Mac's in Atlanta.  It was a down home type of restaurant with all food made from scratch and served family style.  Needless to say we all over ate with our favorite dish being tomato pie.

The next morning the girls went shopping for a wedding dress for Rebecca, and Roger and Paul headed to Rick's, located about an hour northeast of Atlanta to help him work on some projects that needed to be done before the July wedding,which will be held at Rick's home.  The girls went to a dress shop near where Rebecca lives.  There she tried on several dresses which were nice, but not exactly what she was looking for.  The fifth dress she tried created a magical moment for them all.  As she came out from the changing room, Rebecca, Gail,  and Christiane began to cry.  When they looked at the clerks in the store, both of them were crying as well.  They later said they never cry,  but that was a very special moment.  Needless to say, Rebecca bought the dress.  She said it made her feel like a princess.  Later that day Gail also found a dress for the wedding.  In the afternoon the ladies joined the men at Rick's to plan their attack on the projects.

On Easter we worshiped together to celebrate Christ's resurrection.  Following the service, many of Rick's family came for dinner.  We enjoyed a wonderful afternoon together.  His family is very warm and engaging, a joy to be around.  Since the wedding is going to be at Rick's, there was much discussion by family members about the various places on his property where the wedding could be held.  There are several options, but nothing conclusive has been decided. 

Monday and Tuesday have been very  busy days.  We have painted trim on Rick's house, stained and installed window boxes that Paul had made and transported to Georgia from Michigan in our trusty 17 year old Explorer.  Rebecca has already planted flowers in her window boxes.  We've also repaired and painted a gazebo that is located near the lake on Rick's property.  It looks like Wednesday and Thursday will be just as busy.  However,  we enjoy working together with family on projects which to us is fun.

We trust everyone had a very special Easter.

Blessings and Encouragement,

Paul and Gail

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the LORD's name is to be praised
         Psalm 113:3

                                                       Photograph by Christiane Palpant
                          
With the Easter season upon us, we are reminded of a past Easter in Georgia. Several years ago our entire family got up at 3:00 o'clock on Easter morning and headed for Stone Mountain to join hundreds of other people in an Easter Sunrise Service at the top. When we got there it was still totally dark, and we began a long rocky hike to the summit of the mountain, which takes about an hour. It made you feel like you were on a pilgrimage. As the sun was beginning to peak over the horizon, the service began with singing and sharing of the Easter story. During the service all that people had to sit on was the ground or, if they remembered, they brought some blankets.

This was a reminder of what took place two thousand years ago. St. Luke writes, "Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them and they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus." You can picture the sun just coming up, and the women rushing to the tomb expecting to find Jesus' dead body.  There were angels there to greet them and told them, "He is not here, but He is risen." This brings hope to all mankind in that we worship a risen Savior. As we witness a sunrise, it should be a reminder to us that,
"From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the LORD's name is to be praised" or as The Message says, "From east to west, from dawn to dusk, keep lifting all your praises to God!"

We hope that you will have a blessed Easter as you celebrate a risen Savior.

Blessings and Encouragement,

Paul and Gail