Thursday, January 27th (Evening)

Hello to everyone.  Another pretty good day for Laura.  What started out tough, emotional, and exhausting, turned into praise, peace, and rest.  Laura got some sleep today and I am fairly certain that tonight will be the same.  What an answer to prayer.  I know that Laura was giving Him His due credit.  I know she would hope you do the same.

I do need to clarify some things from today.  Probably my fault.  I do miss some details in that room sometimes, so for those of you who know medicine, hang in there with me when you know I'm off.  Anyhow, the "Lung Tap" was actually fluid under the lower lobes of her lungs.  Still serious, but I wanted you all to have the details.  Moving on...

Immmediately after having that procedure, Laura was able to breath deeper and hold more air in.  Good things.  Dr. Bosco did say there is a possiblity of it happening again, in which case they would just do the same thing.  So, her lungs are stronger and she can breath more--look out!  Watch for a woman with jogger and husky lapping Maidu park soon.

Friday will be much of the same.  Rest. Peace. Walk. Lab tests and prayer.  Small slow improvements are the prayer.

With all of the good signs and rest today, it's easy to think we are good.  Keep pushing and we should be fine.  Well, my heart was heavy yesterday when I found out a close friend of mine lost someone in his life for the same problem as Laura on Tuesday.  As a matter of fact, Laura and this gentleman got sick around the same time.  He was at Kaiser around the corner.  Please be praying for Mike and his family.  He is an orignal church member and loves his home.  Mike and Sharon need our prayers, so please shower them with blessings as you have done with mine.  So, my point here is to continue to pray on behalf of Laura.  It's not over.  We ARE in a battle.

Laura's mindset seemed to improve throughout the day, so I want to thank you all for the prayers.  I was able to gently tell her about the influence she is having on all of us.  I know my life certainly looks different.  Most of you know that Laura is passionate in a way that is almost hard to understand at times.  Her lifeline to God is her unquenched soul.  She has to have a direct contact with her Lord in order to function and bless those around her.  The kids and I certainly understand this and I am sure that most of you do as well. That is an amazing thing about my wife that a close friend of mine had some great words of wisdom on.  Laura seeks God for so many things but has recently started to seek Him in a way that would force her to learn more about her.  What is buried in those deep places that God is so excited to use?  I have known my wife for 14 years, and I could not tell you what God has in store for her; I do know that she is not complete.  We are not complete.  None of us has figured out all the parts about ourselves that God is SO ready to use.  In an act of honoring your God, ask Him where He longs to take you.  What does He know about you that you don't?  That was Laura's mindset over the past few months.  It has been an absolute joy watching and encouraging her growth.

Suzi Hahn tried to cheat by asking me today what God was laying on my heart to talk about tonight (usually he does).  I actually did not know at the tim,e until I had a good conversation with my older sister Tamara.  So, some of you know that we lost my mom to oral cancer only two years ago.  The process was painful.  Physically and emotionally.  Tamara handled almost all of the daily needs for my parents.  She supported my dad and even quit her job to help my mom at home.  She was a rock for the family, and Tamara,  if you are reading this, I need to tell you that I appreciate all of those things.  I don't believe any of that was easy for her, but she did it.  My point is that it never dawned on me to see that she was serving in a way that God loved.  Holly has been spending some amazing time with Tamara and just sharing her faith.  My sister and I are part Italian, and with that came a Catholic upbringing.  Anyhow, Tamara: I don't know where you stand in your faith, but I want you to know that God loves you.  Jesus craves you.  I became in a Christian in 1997 and I have never taken the time to tell you that I am broken and redemed only by His blood.  You and the family would be a welcomed joy at Bridgeway, and together we could show Dad what real peace is.  Think about it...

Laura - when you eventually read this, please know that it is God using you in this situation to give me the courage to share with my family.  I love you so much and can't wait for you to come home.