I'm so thankful for the beautiful, warmer weather we're having today. Mike and I just got back from making several laps on our walk in the court. Just to get out and take some deep breaths, clears our minds and energizes us.

Physical therapy is really helping Mike build his endurance back up, even though he still has a long ways to go, to get back to the stamina he use to have. We plan to continue getting Mike these sessions for as long as possible.

Some of the improvements Mike has been making have been so subtle, they've almost gone without notice. Mike pointed a couple of them out to me in the last few days, and I have to agree, we've overlooked them.

One of these, have been Mike's digestion of food. Before, he had difficulty digesting his meal, or even having any room to comfortably eat dessert later on. Now, he seems to have less indigestion and can always find room for something sweet to eat later on. Another improvement we've paid less attention to, have been the chills Mike use to experience weeks ago, have disappeared. He use to need a heated throw on him whenever he was downstairs watching television or reading. We continue to praise God for all the work He is doing in our lives, and His healing hand in Mike.

"To the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever." Jude 25

Special Note: I have added a couple of links to the left of this post, for Video and Audio Devotions, from Beth Moore. They appear to have the same title, but they are each different. They have been such a blessing to me, especially her video from December 24th, "When Life Has You Paralyzed" Part 2. I've enjoyed them and thought you might too!

It's a new year, and Mike and I step into it with grateful and trusting hearts. We have so much we're thankful for, but we still have many challenges ahead of us, and so much to lean on God for.

Mike is still doing well. His biliary tubes continue to function as they should, and he still has been protected from catching any viruses. (Praise God) Even so, things are rough for him daily.

Another area of concern has popped up and we need your prayers. We received a notice from our insurance company last month, and they have increased our COBRA payment quite a bit, beginning in February. So this is leaving me scrambling, looking for a job to help with this. We can't be without insurance coverage. I feel it's necessary to make our need a special prayer request, because it is going to take God's hand to work all of this out. He is Lord of the impossible.

We return to Houston January 19th, and will be there for 4 days, while they do more testing, and exchange Mike's biliary drains. These drains are going to require our going to Houston every 2-3 months, to have them changed out, and this really isn't something Mike can go and do alone. It's also serious enough of a procedure, that it would be unthinkable for me to not be present when it's done.

It's obvious the dilemma this puts me in, employment wise. It is going to take an employer sensitive to our situation. I am working on a couple of things which I would very much appreciate your prayers on. Please pray for God's protection, wisdom discerning His will, and courage to speak up and share our story without falling to pieces.

I'm confident that God knows our needs, and will answer prayer. He has been faithful. We just need strength to continue walking forward with our eyes on Him. Thank you for your love, prayers, and support.