Celebrating Laura's Birthday

Laura has been a blessing to our family and also to all those who know her. She recently had her 4th birthday and we celebrated with a cake in our Home Church. We rejoice with every piece of encouraging news and pray for the challenges that she and her family face daily. Here is an update from her mom about her current condition:

Dear friends,

Laura was diagnosed first with Pervasive Developmental Disorder. Later, she was diagnosed profoundly autistic, and now with epilepsy. The neurologist sent her a medicine. She took it for a month, and then we went for another EEG. In this it was obvious that not only did the epilepsy continue, it got much, much worse. So, we have switched medicine. We have an appointment later this month to see how this medicine is working out. I am very worried that it could be Rett’s, a degenerative developmental disorder.

Recently my sister called me with the awesome news that she was able to get an appointment with the most important expert in epilepsy in Mexico. We are looking for an appointment, also, with a neurologist that specializes in Rett’s: the point being ruling out Rett’s.

Friends, I want to thank you so much for your help and for your prayers. Though it has been a really tough time, God has done so much for us. He has kept joy in my heart, He has made sure we have friends that support us through it all. He has also made sure that the three of us are well between us. We are very thankful.

Technologically Challenged

I am now convinced that there are some of us on this planet that are missing the gene that provides ability and understanding for tools of modern technology. Among those born into this unfortunate population are my husband, David, and myself. Fortunately it appears that our offspring have avoided this mutation and will continue to be productive and successful in a world dependent on batteries, chips, gigas, memory, and sufficient functioning brain cells.

Case in point: Our friend's two year old daughter can grab his I-Phone and navigate like nobody's business. Put one in my hand and I won't be able to turn it on, let alone make a call.

Having coffee with a friend this week she says, "You haven't updated your blog in 8 months!" (not technically accurate, but close.) I have no excuse, but here at least is an "explanation."

Two years ago our digital camera died. This past June we bought an inexpensive Kodak "EasyShare" ("Easy" being the operative word.) Happily I began taking pictures and even downloaded a few on my laptop. (It really was pretty easy.)

Mid July--computer won't recognize camera, can't download pictures. Fast forward to end of August--First attempt to re-download camera program. Result--need for full system back up of computer. Install Carbonite. Three days later(!!) computer is backed up on the free 15-day trial. Another week goes by (now it's September!)--second attempt to download camera program. Result--hard drive is out of memory. Run Disk defragmenter. Discovery--camera program is installed twice. Erase duplicate program. Connect camera and attempt to download pictures. Not recognized. Compress current files. No can do--insufficient memory. Spend hours deleting three years of emails and making CDs of four years of pictures to free up disk space. Not done yet. Stay tuned...........

So besides my lack of discipline to keep up this blog, my tendency to write chapters instead of posts, the other three family members clamoring to use my laptop (as our family PC died earlier this year)...I am officially "technologically challenged" and what would take any "normal" person 15 minutes takes me hours, that turn into weeks, months and years. Can someone tell me if there is a remedy for this, or could I at least get some government compensation for my condition? Better yet, maybe my 9 year old could become the family IT person. It can only get better!!

Sister Love

At the Benning Music Academy first anniversary concert after each student played their piece the Director handed them a white rose that he took from a huge bouquet at center stage. As our youngest daughter watched each participant receive their flower, a plan formed in her heart. When her sister's turn approached she asked us if she could be the one to give her the rose.

So timing it just perfectly, as the applause erupted with the last sweep of the bow, our little girl left her seat and arrived just as the Director took the rose from the bunch. Seeing her outstretched hands, Tito passed her the rose and with a hug of affection and admiration she presented it to her big sister.

I will be forever grateful for the expertise of the photographer who captured this moment in time. My grandmother never experienced it, my mother never had it, and neither did I. But my daughters have this gift--it's "Sister Love."

First Anniversary of Academia de Violin

Our daughter had worked for months on her Concierto piece, preparing for this evening...her first formal recital. She played beautifully, accompanied by an excellent pianist on an elegant Steinway in the hall of the Ensenada Art Center. She was one of 24 students selected from the music school where she studies violin to play for this First Anniversary concert.

The Director of this school is a personal friend of ours whom we have known since he began playing the violin 13 years ago. Last November his father died after suffering with cancer. Our friend dedicated the concert last night to the memory of his father and gave each of us a CD as we left where his father shares about his faith in Jesus.

We are so grateful that our daughter has the privilege and opportunity to study at Academia Benning and we congratulate her and all the talented musicians who played last night.

Summer B&B Retreat

This July only six women could attend our annual Bakersfield & Baja women's retreat in the beautiful mountains of Hart Flat, east of Bakersfield...and I was the only one from Mexico. Although we missed our Mexican amigas, we had a wonderful, relaxing, refreshing and rich time together.

Lorraine was our hostess and meal planner extraordinaire (lower right). Christie (lower center) led us in Lexio Divina where we listen to God's voice through His Word. Hope (lower left) our nature expert opened up God's creation to us. Jo (upper right) taught us extensively about God's grace. Barb (upper left) was the newcomer (but long time friend of Jo and Lorraine) who trusted us with her heart and wowed us with her creativity. And the person at upper center--that's me!! I shared about Freedom in Jesus and led the group in our first retreat craft--collages that represent our lives. Every collage was meaningful and unique--just like their designers.

Next gathering--February 2011 in Ensenada