A very sad day

Well, yesterday, we got up and got completely packed and ready to go home. Nathan's dad had already decided that we would not be turning anything off today since she was so alert. However, Andrew still had not made it up to the hospital. We told Charlotte yesterday night before we left that he was coming this morning. We got to the hospital and she was still alert and communicating by blinking. We all were able to tell her we loved her and read Scripture to her. Nathan chose Proverbs 31: 10-22 regarding the virtuous woman. I was so very proud of him for being able to think about that at a time like this. I just pray that I wasn't too proud and that it was a sin! Well, after we had prayed with Charlotte around the room, her breathing started to be different. She wouldn't necessarily open her eyes all of the time now. We decided to go get something for lunch at around 3ish. We all went back and took turns sitting with her and all of us finally staying at about 7pm. In the next 6 hours, we sat around her bed talking about memories, praying and just being there. We all took short breaks around 11. My Father in law went and laid down on a couch in the waiting room and I went and laid down on the floor. It wasn't very comfortable, but it must have been enough since I did doze off for a bit. It was enough, though to be awake enough to witness Charlotte's homegoing. Grieving and rejoicing at the same time is a very odd feeling. We are thrilled for Charlotte in that we are confident in God's promise of salvation and eternal life. We are devastated for ourselves in having lost such a wonderful shining example of God's love and grace. She was a wonderful lady and will be missed very much.

A Thanksgiving Gift

Today was a very difficult day as we traveled up to MN for the third time yesterday. Tuesday night on the phone conference with the oncologist and ICU MD, it sounds as though my dear mother in law Charlotte is not responding now to anything that the doctors are able to do. Her abdomen incision is not healing and her kidneys are only producing urine because of the majorly high dose of continuous Lasix that is being given to her. They have asked Nathan and Andrew to come up north to be with her when they stop things on Friday. When we got to the hospital we were greeted with the news that she was alert and responding to questions, although her body was in no better shape. Nathan and I were not sure what to think as now this was the 3rd time we'd come up to find out she was doing better (not that that is a bad thing!). We were able to talk to her several times today and at one point Nathan related a story about our engagement at Charlotte's encouragment and she winked at Nathan, then looked past him at me and winked at me. :) It truly was a gift from God. We're just not sure what to think about what to do. Do we go home tomorrow or do we stay for a bit and see what happens? We will just have to trust the Lord to do what HIS will is. I have a feeling from my experiences that this is her final rally.

These three blankets are my first Christmas presents for the year. Several years ago, I made half of a regular sized blanket for Artica for her dolls. She loved it and of course, once Annika knew what it was for, she had to have one too. I found a super easy pattern (3 dc and a few chains here and there) and made her a blanket for her babies. Well, Artica saw the "new" one and not only did she want one too (of course), she thought it would be a great thing to give to several of our short friends this year for Christmas. We've inherited four new little friends this year and we're going to my mom and dad's for Christmas. So, I agreed to make 5 more. At first it was rather overwhelming thinking about the project, but God gave me the time to make four and the 5th one is almost done too!!! I spent 11 days either driving to and from MN (twice) or sitting in a hospital room or ICU waiting room. Since I'm not one to sit around much (I'm sure I probably need some Ritalin!) I took my crocheting with me and worked on it rather diligently to my surprise. But, here's the final result. They are all about 24 x 24 in and just the right size for a short person to wrap around their respective dolls ;) Plus, it got rid of some of my stash - always a bonus for the husband, eh? :)