What a week it was

Wednesday, September 24th
My father was told he needed open heart surgery

Thursday, September 25th
Dad had a triple bypass. All went well
2:00 a.m. my brother got a call from the hospital saying that dad was not doing well and the family should come to the hospital right away.

Friday, September 26th
Dad went back into surgery because of internal bleeding. Todd and I didn't know just how bad dad was until later when we were told he was 'out of the woods.' The surgeon didn't understand where he was bleeding and why it had stopped. But we know! People all around the world were praying!

Saturday, September 27th
Hannah was up all night with our sick dog. Hannah needed help and we couldn't give her the help she needed. So I called my brother and sister-in-law to ask them to help Hannah. They were there for her when mom and dad couldn't. McKenzie died later that afternoon. We were feeling the weight of dad recovering from open heart surgery and a emotional daughter as well as a mixture of emotions of being so far away and not being able to help.

Tuesday, September 30th
Thoughtful and sensitive friends called early with a very unexpected gift-a plane ticket home to see my father, help my mother and spend some much needed time with Hannah. This was such a blessing to me and a wonderful reminder of how the family of God, the body of Christ, cares for each other in times of need. I am grateful that the Richardson's were sensitive to the Spirit and did for me what I could not do for myself.

I want to be more like that too...listening and responding to the voice of God prompting me to care for others and share with others as God directs me. We are blessed to be a blessing to others!

Thursday October 2nd
Off to the United States for a much needed visit.

We are glad to report that dad is getting stronger every day. Thank you for praying for our family during this time.
I am back in Belgium anticipating the arrival of a team of 7 from the Garstang Free Methodist Church in the United Kingdom coming to help us move, hosting the European Leadership Team Meetings followed by the Western European Regional Training Conference. We will tell you more about this in the next blog.

Deann