I'm Home!!

Well, as I type this, dad is typing an update about mom, so I'll let him do that while I type an update about our trip out here.

Sarah and I, and the 4 kids (for those of you who don't know, we're talking, Emily (5), Savannah (2), Mason (8) and Bradey (4) ) left Friday morning at 6 am headed to North Carolina. The first day was amazing! My girls haven't been on a road trip longer than 6 hours in over 3 years (and it doesn't take a mathematician to figure out that was only Emily), so I was really nervous. We traveled 500 miles in 9 hours, the kids were incredible. There is no other word to describe how they were. We got to our hotel at 3:30, ate a light dinner, had the kids in bed by 6:30 and Sarah and I were asleep by 8:00.

The second day, we got a little later start. We figured, Eh...we got here so early and we only have 72 more miles to do today than we did yesterday. Oops, we forgot we lost an hour in there somewhere. Anyway, we left at 8:30 and didn't arrive at Sarah's mom's in Greenville, SC until around 7:30. The kids were still SO good!! The snacks we had brought were losing their appeal, and the movie selection had become boring. But still, there was no arguing, and they were just SO good. Even Savannah would only kick my seat briefly towards the end of the day. Our biggest obstacle was for Sarah and I who are slightly neurotic about having at least one HEALTHY meal for our kids a day. Healthy foods are hard to find on a road trip. You want a cause?? Take up THAT one!!!

Today, I drove the final 323 miles by myself. It was just me and the girls, and let me tell you, that is NOT as much fun. There was no one to retrieve pacifiers and fill snack cups and entertain, but they did so well. It is nice to be here with my parents. Pray that my girls and I can be an encouragement to my parents and not a strain.

I have cool pictures from the trip, but I'll post those another time. Maybe I'll wait until I get home. We plan on making a few "homeschool" field trips on the way home. I thank the Lord that HE laid it on my heart to homeschool Emily this year. I would not be able to help my parents like I am if she were in school. Mom is VERY excited to watch her do her schooling tomorrow!

OK, here's dad's update.

Yesterday was a BLESSED DAY but today was a HALLELUJAH DAY!!

Linda is home!! Not only home, but she is able to swallow well enough to drink clear liquids. PRAISE THE LORD!! For the first time since August 19th, she was able to enjoy a cup of cool water. We give God the Praise for the healing of her vocal cord.

The "plan" was finalized this morning with the swallowing evaluation. Linda drank and ate everything the speech therapist gave her – WITHOUT CHOKING!! The wound nurse came in to change the dressing and there was only a small amount of drainage. The doctor couldn't give us a reason for her to stay, so he said, "YOU CAN GO HOME." We were able to leave the hospital at 4:25 PM. (I noted the exact time)

The icing on the cake was the arrival of Jennifer, Emily and Savannah. They were able to visit Linda in the hospital before she was discharged. Thank you for praying for their travel safety. Jennifer is willing to stay with us as long as she is needed. We'll probably keep her until Savannah graduates from college, at least. By then we will be old enough for her to take care of us on a daily basis.

Well, it has been a GLORIOUS DAY and we give God the Praise for all He did to bring Linda home again. Thank you for bringing us before the Throne of Grace. Continue to pray for Linda's strength. Being in bed for so long has taken a heavy toll on her body. We hope to resume physical therapy this week.

Keep Looking Up,

Joe