Oops! He Did it Again!

I got to take Seth, Lydia, and their cousin Joshua to McDonald's and for ice cream at a local place called Rita's on Sunday. Let me just tell you that mango italian ice with vanilla custard is delightful. Rita calls this "gelati," and I am a fan! More than that, it was delightful to hang out with the kids (Seth and Lydia are Kylee and Matt's five year old twins, and Joshua is their cousin). I love their energy, enthusiasm, and creative imaginations.

After bath time, I followed them into their room to aid in the getting dressed process (more so for 2.5 year old Sarai). Seth turned to me as he was pulling on some pajamas and asked, "Do you remember what I told you, Joanne?" "Oh, no," I thought, "I hope he isn't going to say anything about wanting me to marry his dad." Out loud I responded, "I'm not sure." "I want you to marry Daddy. Do you remember that I told you that?" he inquired. "Yes. I remember," I replied. "He's really nice, and so are you," Seth explained. Conversation followed during which we discussed how I was and wasn't like Kylee, with Seth asserting that I was and Lydia that I wasn't. Thankfully, it was brief and hair brushing and pajama changing took precedent shortly.

Later that night, I told Matt about what happened and also about the time Seth expressed the same sentiment on the playground a few weeks ago. "Yeah, I know," Matt chuckled, "He told me about it later that day." Matt went on to explain a conversation he'd had with the kids a few hours before I saw them that day on the playground. Seth had climbed in the family van and was talking about how they had enough seats for everyone, pointing out one for Lydia, one for Sarah, one for Caleb, Matt, and their next baby. Matt explained that they couldn't have another baby without Mommy being here.

They went on to discuss foster care (a family friend has foster children) and adoption. Matt asked if they could think of any other ways to get a baby. The kids were out of ideas, so he introduced the topic of getting remarried, having a new mommy. "Would that be weird?" he asked them. They replied that it wouldn't. He went on to ask them if they had any suggestions... Right away, Seth said, "Joanne, because she's really nice, and she loves us a lot." Because I'd been sick for a while, I hadn't only seen Seth once probably during the month before he made that comment, which added to the weight of the compliment. He knew. He really got that I'm crazy about him, about all of those kids. What an honor to have a child pick you to be his mom out of all the people he knows in the world. It makes me want to smile and weep at the same time. I think Kylee would have smiled, though. She was always telling me stories about how much her kids love me, about how they know I'm crazy about them, how my name comes up at interesting and often humorous times. If you are reading this post, I urge you to e-mail me your physical address so I can send you my next paper newsletter, which is a tribute to Kylee and the impact that she's had on my life. She was an amazing woman. I am honored to be a part of her children's lives.

New Beginnings

This is my new friend Casey, 12 years old, who became my running buddy this morning. We completed our first 10K (about 6 miles) race together, encouraging each other along the way! And we both recieved medals, too! I finished third in my age division.

I got to practice my photography skills while doing a photo shoot of my friend Laura's new haircut. Laura is a former roommate who is now finishing nursing school at Milligan. She's in Florida for the summer, and I'm so EXCITED! She is gentle, wise, insightful, and a blessing!

Kylee's mom, Linda, recently got married. I had the privledge of attending the ceremony celebrating her commitment to love and cherish Ed, a godly, upbeat, kind man who loves to laugh and loves her dearly. Will you pray for Matt (Kylee's husband), Shane (Kylee's brother, in photo), and Linda as they celebrate and continue to grieve. Kylee and Shane lost their grandmother just a few weeks before Kylee died as well. There is a lot to process. And it is beautiful how God brought Ed to stand alongside Linda during this time! They were married at an intimate ceremony in the garden of a local bed and breakfast.

Health Follow-Up, Boden Follow-Up

At my follow-up visit with the neurologist, I learned that I have a small cyst in my brain (1 cm). It is in the pineal gland, which regulates melatonin, the hormone that makes me fall asleep. The neurologist said that cysts are the most common finding on MRI's and that it is quite possible that I have had this one my whole life and never known it. At the recommendation of the radiologist, however, we are going to do a follow-up MRI in six months to make sure that the cyst hasn't grown. Currently, I am presenting no symptoms of having a cyst in this location (vision problems, headaches, etc.).

At my follow-up visit with the cardiologist, I learned that my heart function is borderline low. My EF (which is a measure of how much content my heart pumps out with each beat) is 50%, when normal is typically 55-65%. This is not typical for my age, however the cardiologist assured me that some consider 50% function in this area to be normal and that because my heart rate is so low, the ultrasound may look worse than it is. Additionally, all of my blood work came back normal. I am not anemic. My thyroid functions normally. My liver and kidneys function normally. My electrolytes and all other levels that they tested are normal. Still, they would like to continue monitoring me, so I have a follow-up appointment with the cardiologist in July.

Some of the fatigue I have been experiencing has lessened, which is a blessing. Additionally, the cardiologist encouraged me to get back into biking and running again, which I have been enjoying. I love the sunny weather in Florida! This past weekend I moved into a new house, and I am settling in and getting to know my new roommates before our next training program starts in two weeks. I have been asked to be a COAT Link again, a mentor figure for a girl named Melissa who is going through our training program. Please be in prayer concerning resolution of health issues, unity of our housemates, and transformation for the COAT participants. Thank you so much for your faithfulness in lifting me (and all of us here at NMSI) up to God through prayer. There have been many major life events packed into the last few months and it is so nice to be assured of your intercession and care!

Several of you have asked how Matt is doing... he was at devos this morning at work for the first time and is slowly transitioning into half days in the office, moving into full time work by the end of June (I think). It is a blessing to see him around the office again! Today marks eight weeks since Kylee died. Matt's sister Joy and her family have moved back from missionary work in Brazil for a year and will be the primary care takers for the kids during the day as Matt transitions back into full time work. As I understand it, Joy's husband is continuing on in his role in Brazil via Internet while they are here. The two families are looking to find a house together, and Matt's church continues to provide several meals a week and be a strong support system for him as well. It is hard, and they are doing well. I got to hold Caleb for the first time last week---what a blessing!