Family letter by Debra

May 14, 2015

Dear ladies,

As we close out the year 2014, we still have no medical answers for the blisters that have plagued my body for nearly two years now. Last January was just the beginning of a long series of doctor visits and laboratory visits for extensive blood work, including a biopsy and blood work for cancer. Two weeks ago the allergist/immunologist that I was seeing told us that she has competed all the tests that she knows to do, leaving her results inconclusive - clinically speaking nothing lines up for a proper diagnosis. As for now, I am back under the care of the dermatologist and I am drinking plenty of coconut oil, which seems to be the only thing (and much prayer) that keeps the blisters to a minimum.

Spring is here and the birds outside our bedroom room start their concert early in the morning-- very early. I love to hear their singing, their sounds are so joyful, but at times the same sounds that can encourage us can also be a source of our discouragement. The Lord reminds us that the sounds we make, our words, should be that of truth and encouragement.

          Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul,
         and health to the bones. Proverbs 16:24

          A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. Proverbs 25:11

Our Sunday school group is quite small and all boys, but their voices are loud and clear as they quote their memory verses from the book of Psalms. We have been memorizing scriptures from Psalms for two months as an encouragement to others and praise to the Lord. Unfortunately, the Czech children are exposed to vulgar words at such early ages that it is an on-going battle to have them speak properly and to use Jesus' and His mother's name in a proper manner. Please pray for the Czech children and the words that they hear and speak.

News from afar is also composed of words and sounds of both encouragement and discouragement. We love to hear all about our grandchildren. We are always encouraged to hear about their progress in school, their achievements, their day-to-day life, and simply the sound of their small voices as they sing, quote scripture, or just say hello. At the same time, however, these words bring discouragements as we are reminded that we are so far away and that they are growing too fast and cannot wait for us. Please pray with us as we make arrangements for our furlough and the holidays with our family.

Well, we are on the countdown to the end of the 2014-2015 school year. We will be finishing on June fourth. Amen and praise the Lord for another successful year. It has been one challenging year, but I truly say "well done" to our boys. Although I am glad that the year is coming to a close we are also discouraged by those same words because this is James's final year here with us. James's graduation is scheduled for June nineteenth and we will also be recognizing David's achievements on June seventh. Please pray for the Czechs that will be attending the graduation ceremony.

As for me, I still have outbreaks of very painful blisters, but as long as I drink my coconut oil, I seem to be able to keep them under control. As of now, I only have one blister that I have been unable to get healed. It has been over two months and I have used everything that is natural and available, including all the cream and antibiotics from the doctor. The word from my dermatologist is one of both encouragement and discouragement. Even through her and the specialist tell me that they do not know what it is and cannot do any more for me, they have also told me that it is not a cancer or anything of great concern. Please pray for me as I continue to seek wisdom in the area of my skin and its health.

O how I enjoy the pleasant sounds of the birds; but must they sing at 4 a.m.? I pray that my sounds would be that of encouragement and not of discouragement. LORD help me to have pleasant words fitly (in a suitable manner and at a suitable time) spoken.

Love and prayers,

Debra