It has been quite an eventful week. On Monday, Jim (my father-in-law) and Kevin (my brother-in-law) went into the hospital for kidney transplant surgery. Kevin gave one of his kidneys to Jim. Jim has diabetes and has been undergoing dialysis for the past year. The only way to get off dialysis is to get a new kidney. Last year, Kevin decided he wanted to be tested as a possible donor. Things worked out great during the testing and Kevin was able to donate his kidney. This past Monday the surgery took place and everything went great
Kevin was groggy after the surgery, but after recovery, Jim was up and talkative and feeling better than he had in over a year. On Monday night, Jim was sitting in a chair eating dinner while Kevin slept off the effects of the anesthetic. Yesterday Kevin was able to walk up to Jim's room and check on Jim for himself. Both are in great spirits and are looking forward to the future. Kevin will be going home today and Jim should be home by Saturday. There is plenty yet to watch for and pray for as each goes through recovery and adaptation to life on one kidney. Jim has more testing over the next few months as they determine the amount of medication he will be taking.
Pray for them as well as everyone in the family as we adjust to the needs of the Post Surgery Boys.

It has been a while since I've sat down and let all of you know how we're doing. I've been swamped the last few weeks with finalizing the play and getting everything going for the performances. Those performances started last night - and I didn't realize until someone pointed it out yesterday morning that it was the Ides of March, which is usually considered a bad omen. Never did I think that the play would open on the Ides of March and close on St. Patty's Day. Of course, those things only mean something if you are superstitious, I just think it's funny. Kids got their report cards Wednesday and they are all doing really well. Taunya's comment, "My lowest grade is a B+." - said with a tone of I should have had an A. They ARE my kids - regardless of what MY grades may have been. God Bless you and we're prayin' for ya.

This weekend was interesting. It snowed. We received between 12 and 18 inches overnight (Saturday - Sunday). It was snowing lightly Saturday and kept getting heavier. When I got up to go blow the snow off the driveway, I was met by a snowdrift over 2 feet tall. I started just after 8 am and didn't get back indoors until 9:30. Needless to say, they canceled church because they didn't want to clutter the roads unnecessarily. Talk to you soon. All of you are in our prayers. God Bless.

I know, it's been several weeks since I last posted any information about what's been happening around here. We went to the Church retreat where I spoke. Yes, shocking I know, but it was time I expanded the groups of people I'm willing to speak in front of. The topic of the weekend was based on C.S. Lewis's book no the four types on love: storge, phyllia, eros, and agape. I was lucky enough to speak on eros (passion). Anyway, the kids enjoyed their weekend but there was an incident with Tyler (we'll catch you up at a more private time). I've been swamped with grading and putting on a play performance. Our set isn't finished yet but we should be able to get some work done on it this weekend.
God bless you, we're prayin' for all of you.

It's almost 5 on a Monday afternoon and I should really go home. Unfortunately, I have to wait for my wife to pick me up. I didn't start my car all weekend an we had temperatures here below 20 degrees Celsius. I know, I've lived here long enough and should know better - I really should, but the fact is I didn't and now my car won't start. Hopefully it will once I get home. Anyway enough wallowing in self-pity.
We need your prayers, as always, but we just received word that Kevin is able to donate a kidney to Jim (my father-in-law). The surgery will take place on March 26th. Pray for the health of everyone involved and for the surgical team who will perform the operation.
The renovations on the house have stalled as the winter goes on and drama progresses. We don't have a lot of rehearsals left and the show looks shaky right now. Thank you to those who pray for us and keep in touch with us.
This weekend we are going on a church retreat where I have the honor of speaking on romantic love. For those who finally recovered from laughing and managed to sit back on your chair, I was approached to speak on the topic, I did not volunteer. I have yet to pull my talk together so pray for me as I spend time this week preparing my few minutes in the hot seat.
God Bless you and your families. Our prayers are with you.

It's Wednesday. Middle of the week. Another year older. Today, I'm feeling it a little. Drama, students, and impending parent-teacher conferences(tomorrow) are making me feel everyone of my 39 years. On the bright side, I have a whole year before I'm forty. Just letting you guys know we're doing ok around here. It's cold but not a lot of snow. Taunya will be taking the tests for High Performance classes in junior high. She's a little concerned about how she will do, but I know she'll do fine. It surprises me that the school year is half over and before we know it another summer will be upon us. Sorry - I'm rambling. Anyway, take care, God Bless you, we're praying for all of you.

Yes, it's Friday and I'm about to call it a day. It's almost 6pm here in the Mid-West and I want to get my birthday started early. I'm hoping people sent me nice fat cheques with many zeros (more likely ALL zeros). A busy week has ended - catching up on grading so mid-trimester grades are as up to date as possible - and preparing for parent-teacher conferences next week- and preparing for the school play. I'm having touble focusing...talk to you later. God Bless you all.