No New Grandson Yet--Almost Lost a Grandson

Our daughter Neeley is so ready.

First, let me apologize for not posting an update sooner. Ideally I try to update every 2-3 weeks.  Well here we are in Sacramento with Stephen and Neeley awaiting the birth of their first child and our 6th grandchild.  Tomorrow (12/22) is the actual due date but the doctor said that "Jack" is not ready yet and it may be another week or two.  So in the meantime I have been a handyman here at the house, helping with painting, repairing, refinishing tables and counter tops, gardening, and more. Stephen said, "Having me there is like having his own private handyman. All he has to do is feed me and make sure I get a good bike rider every other day." Dayle, too, is keeping herself busy by decorating and hanging pictures, and housework. Stephen and Neeley bought their home a few months ago and now it is finally looking like it is really their house.  Dayle also accompanies Neeley to all her doctor's appointments and, of course, lots of shopping trips.

Wednesday night our Daughter Annie called with a very frightening story.  She said that AJ, her 10 year old son, ran up to her to give her a hug when she got home from work and then grabbed his head in both hands, screamed, and fell to the ground unconscious.  He was out for about twenty seconds.  She scooped him up and rushed him to the hospital emergency room.  To make a long story short, AJ  had a brain aneurysm.  The doctors conducted numerous tests, brain scans, and more tests are being conducted even as I am writing this blog entry.  While at work yesterday one of the hospital doctor's came into her dental office, where she works, and he told her that this event with AJ was the talk of the hospital because most often aneurysms result in death or at the very least brain damage.  Yet AJ has came through this life threatening incident unscathed.  The doctor told Annie that they need to count their blessings.  Please remember AJ in your prayers and also for Melvy and Annie and AJ's brother, Andy.  Pray especially that God would use this event to draw them closer to Him.

We are all set to be at Bethany Bible Church in Lake Havasu City by Sunday,January 13th where I will preach in both morning and evening services.  Then on the 14th we have Dayle's doctor's appointment.  We plan on staying in Lake Havasu for a minimum of three months and possibly longer if the treatment plan for the osteoporosis so requires.

Next week is Christmas which is our favorite time of the year.  We love all the decorations, the Christmas Eve service, the church Christmas get togethers, family gatherings and all the fuss all because of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Our entire family is coming to Sacramento.  This will be the first time that we have all been together in several years.  We are very excited.  We were hoping to have Jack with us by Christmas but we don't think that is going to happen.  But at least his presence will be seen in Neeley's tummy.

Our wish to every one is that you will have a wonderful Christmas as you remember the birth of the Savior and more importantly the reason why he was born.