Monday, January 19, 2009

Vienna Vision Trip

It has been a long time since my last update. Christmas activities and health issues just made it impossible to write much. Thankfully we are still going forward and seeing progress made in small ways.

After much date-debating, Tom and I have finally settled on a date for our Vienna Vision Trip. We will be going to visit Vienna Christian School Feb. 17 until
Feb. 23. As much as we wish we could take the children, we are not at this time able to do that. We hope to send home some good video feed and lots of pictures. We are going with lists of questions, as well.

On the health issue side of things, the main "presenters" have been me and Andrew. We both continued to have viral issues and I just did not feel good ever. I was recommended to see a wonderful naturopath practicioner and through the diagnostic tool of Electro Dermal Screening, we found more than I ever thought was possible that were causing problems for me. In a nutshell the issues were : systemic Candida infection (even in the blood), adrenal fatigue, and numerous active viral strains. And now I am on a "no-no" diet! No sugar of any kind, no starch, no breads, no white grains, no fermented food, no dairy, no caffeine, no yeast cultured foods, no fungi foods! What do I eat, you wonder! Well, any vegetable, any fruit, any lean protein and lots of water! In addition to diet, I am on supplements and treatments that are also dealing with the issues head on. I am feeling much better most days. No sore throat for the first time in two years!!!!!! So I am thankful to the Lord for His leading and guiding in this process for my healthy.

Andrew as most of you know came down with mono in March of last year. Since then he has gone through many ups and downs still in trying to get over it completely. He, too, seems to not be able to kick it by himself. I took him to a naturopath in Cambridge and he is now on the no-no diet with me and also is taking an anit-viral treatment along with lots of other supplements to support his immune system. He has been great in the transition and has not complained about these changes. I am so amazed at how quickly he can bounce back and feel better. We are thankful to have some answers other than what we were hearing.

In this process of support raising that we are in, we are thankful for faithful encouragement and prayers you give us!!!! We are very aware of the bad news of the economy. It is affecting us as well. (We joked with our kids and said, "due to economic downturns, we are going to have to let one of you go"-- they all laughed!). But the economic downturn will affect our trying to sell our home this spring. That is a major issue! We also realize that the dollar is affected by the Euro and that may present challenges in raising support for the years that we are gone. The Lord knows all these things and we can sleep well knowing our loving faithful Father is in charge and watching over all things. Sometimes we feel like the sparrow! Small and insignificant in the world's eyes, but yet important to the One who made them.

The economy is no joke for many people in their job situation, their housing crisis, their health concerns. We really need the grace of God in the downturn of wealth. There is only so far one can tighten the belt before you can't even breathe! Let us know if we can pray for you.

Thanks again for your encouragement and prayers!