My New Style

So...what do you think... do you like my new look?...check out the poll and let me know if it's a keeper or if I should go back. This is the result of a wee bit of boredom...trying to add spunk and flash and keeping things fresh and hip.

Sheldon

Currently things are improving with Sheldon...he has awakened from his coma and has recognized family members. Efforts to remove life support have so far failed as he is unable to breathe comfortably on his own. He has however been able to move his limbs at the request of the medical team. And all this from a kid who showed no brain activity on his EEG just a few short days ago!!! To God be the glory. (For those of you on Facebook, we also have a group called Crazy about Sheldon Swampy....that you are welcome to join)

Ben just returned home from school an hour late. He walked in claiming of an interesting ride...a child on the bus had a grand mal seizure and an ambulance had to be called to pick up the child. What is going on with our babies? Pray for the family.

Uncle Herb Survived

Thank the Lord for a recent time of blessing with Uncle Herb and Aunt Erna....we are of course, most grateful for surviving the door-free (and unobstructed view) helicopter ride without incident. We literally could have had a family tragedy on our hands. Half way through the ride (and of course leaning out the copter to take fab pictures), Uncle Herb realized that his seat belt had accidently become undone. Panic stricken, he fumbled with his restraints and managed to strap himself in once again. We had dropped into the crater of Mt. Waialeale when he noticed. The pilot set the copter down when I turned my head to see Uncle Herb signalling me with his hands. I mentioned to the pilot that he was unrestrained but the guy lifted off anyway. We have no idea how long he was un-restrained but we are so grateful that we did not lose him! Of course, jokes about insurance policies ensued while we were safe and sound and on the ground. The experience got our adrenaline pumping, especially Herb and Erna's. Sorry Dad and Eliana about the scare...I think your brother may be cured from heli flying for awhile. He did get some awesome shots though.

Satan continues to attack the productivity in our ministry. Pray for strength and patience and God's guidance as we head into a new year of ministry. People are coming to Jesus and the church is growing and...Satan is working hard, bringing disunity among His people. Pray for hearts to change and personal agendas to be tossed out the window.

Once again, my camera....my brand new camera...sob..sob...has died. I have to send it to Illinois for repair but luckily it is still under warranty. Hopefully you'll enjoy my selection of not-so-recent photos.

A Hui Hou....Later.

Urgent Prayer Request

Sheldon Swampy Harder is the 13 year old son of Ben and Viola Harder (Winnipeg....and nephew to Abe and Eve Harder) and our son, Benjamin's closest and dearest friend. Sheldon and his family attend Riverwood Church Community.

Sheldon has suddenly contracted a critical form of viral encephalitis. Initial symptoms presented themselves before Christmas in the form of headaches, which when assessed where thought to be of migraine origin. This past Saturday, Sheldon experienced a grand mal seizure and was admitted to the Children's Hospital. There he coded and crashed and has had to have been resuscitated 3 times. They would have lost him if not for the immediate transfer of Sheldon to PICU. Sheldon is currently in a deep coma and the EEG has revealed no brain activity. There is swelling on the brain and he is on life support. A machine is keeping him breathing and another, his blood circulating. Yesterday, he had an NG tube inserted for nutrition and to encourage his organs to maintain their function. The prognosis looked grim but it seems now that they are seeing tiny movements in the right direction provoking a smile out of the doctor.

We are hopeful for the family and praying for a complete restoration to Sheldon's mind and body. God can perform miracles and what a testimony that would be!

This child is an amazing child of God. He was so compassionate and prayed daily for Ben while he was in the hospital. Our sons have such a strong bond, I'm not sure how Ben would manage if he lost his only friend. They have maintained close contact through Skype and MSN using computer cameras. This is devastating to us and of course, more importantly his family. Please....to our prayer warriors, you have been so faithful...may I encourage you to plead with God for this boy's life.

For updates on Sheldon's condition or to learn how to pray more specifically for him...please check out the link Sheldon's Page or http://www.getwellsheldon.blogspot.com/. You can also email Sheldon or his family at getwellsheldon@hotmail.com.

There is always something to say....

It has come to my attention that there is always something to say. Hmm..so whether or not I feel that there is no real news... apparently there really is.

We successfully survived the Christmas season with much thanks to Grandma Warkentin who provided alot of stability to the family. Uncle Dick and Aunt Emily from Morden provided hours of fun with the gift of Canada's version of Monopoly.

We've been blessed this year so far with visits from Grandma, Harold and Jocelyn (FGMB) and now Ed's uncle Herb and aunt Erna who will visit with us for a few days as a part of their trip around the world. What a wonderful time to reconnect with people who have known us for years. I was telling Aunt Erna that one of the hardest parts of the transition is not having close friends nearby who have known you forever...you don't have to constantly explain where you've come from and where you've been.

For our army of prayer warriors all over the world...

Ben has successfully transitioned back to middle school in a self-contained classroom. He wakes at 6:15 am and hops onto a 6:50 am special needs bus to the school where he spends the day in Miss Ryder's class for those with special needs. Now for all of those who know Ben and how intelligent he is...don't worry, this is temporary. He will be re-introduced to each regular ed. class one at a time which is the classic approach according to his psychiatrist. We've been informed that he is coping beautifully and is doing amazingly well....well ahead of what they expected. We have been transferred to a new psychiatrist, Dr. Hamamoto who is both a pediatrician and child psychiatrist from Honolulu. He works at the Queen's Hospital where Ben was admitted and knows the team that worked with him there. He is young, nice and very personable. A huge praise item. In tandem with Dr. Hamamoto, we decided to increase Ben's prozac to 30 mg/day as his compulsions have increased along with the stress of school. He rubs his hands along the carpet (as a part of a OCD ritual) and is beginning to wear down the outer layers of skin on the palms of his hand. The concern is that he will rub them raw leading to infection.

Alyson is constantly "wow-ing" us with her easy going personality and her diligence to her schoolwork. This week, she achieved the Super-Glo Star award which is handed out only to a very select few star students. In grade 3, there are 3 classrooms with maybe a total of 60 students...typically with only 2-3 super- glo stars. This term there were 3 and Alyson was one of them. We are of course extremely proud. This obviously comes from Laurie's side of the family.

Laurie spends her day re-evaluating life and where she now belongs. Emerging battered and bruised from the last several months leads me to times of quiet contemplation with God reading the Word. I also have the dubious task of continuing to provide a healthy environment for my family. This is leading me on a search for rental housing properties in the Kalaheo nieghborhood but away from the church. Through sharing and prayer it has become clear to me that this is a necessary move for a healthy husband and pastor and to reduce stress in the home. As mortgages here are astronomical and without divine intervention, it is likely that we will be renting rather than buying a home in the new future. This of course, is disappointing as we are nearing the 40 year-old mark and would love to start obtaining some equity. Nevertheless, the rentals here can be quite lovely as long as you can afford the $2500-$2800/mo. that they ask. Those of you in Winnipeg will understand the notable cringing... of a monthly rent so high not going to a personal mortgage. You feel my pain.

Ed is coping rather well through life although desperately needs a personal retreat. The two and fro flying from Honolulu during Ben's illness and maintaining his position in the church has left his spirit quite weary and feeling empty. A few beautiful days in Maui were refreshing but also provided an opportunity for Satan to attack. He is so good at what he does.

Thank you for continuing to pray and journey with us. The church is alive and thriving and ultimately people are coming to know the Lord Jesus Christ!! We love the church body and are excited as God constantly reveals himself to us.