Healing Heart

Many of you have asked about how my mother is after her open heart surgery on June 15th.  We are still working on a prayer letter to help update everyone but I thought I ought to fill in at least those of you who read this blog.

God answered the many prayers for Mom.  First there was the the heart catherization done a week before surgery.  It showed no blockage of her arteries ("clean as a whistle" was the phrase the doctor used) which meant the surgery would only be to replace her failing valve.
Then the surgery itself went well and the many tubes and wires that are necessary afterwards began coming out within a couple of hours.  She spent about 24 hours in ICU before being moved to a room on the cardiac floor where she continued to amaze all the doctor and staff with her progress.  Although we had been told most patients took 7-10 days in the hospital to be sure they were strong enough to be sent home, Mom was discharged in only 4 days.  A week after surgery I took the photo below while mom sat at the dinner table.
She tires quickly but continues to improve each day.  Now, a month later, it is only because of concern for the sterum bone to heal properly ( they say 12 weeks of no lifting, pushing, or twisting) that she has any restrictions.
We thank you for praying for her surgery and recovery and praise God for His healing. 

Thanks too for praying for Jim and I as we cared for both mom and dad during this last month. Jim has been wonderful to do most of the physically demanding work of my father's care. The first two weeks were challenging but things get easier every day.

Happy Birthday Jim

Yes today, for a few minutes more here in Pasco, Washington, it is Jim's birthday. Most of the celebration happened earlier this week though as we got to spend a couple of days in Spokane.

On Tuesday we enjoyed a restaurant meal (a treat for me even if it wasn't my birthday!), a walk through various specialty gardens in a park south of the city, and a night in a nice motel near the Riverfront Park of downtown Spokane. The weather was gorgeous, unlike the rest of the country which seems to be having either too hot or too wet weather.
Wednesday wasn't so gorgeous as it was raining when we began the day of seeing all there is to do at Riverfront Park itself.  Fortunately our plan was to begin with 2 IMAX shows.  The first was on Spokane World's Fair in 1974 - did we really dress and drive like that when I graduated from college??! and the second was about the Lewis and Clark expedition.  A couple of games of mini golf and lunch in the same building allowed the weather to clear up which made the walking tour of the open areas like the Spokane Falls more enjoyable.

 Along way Jim noticed in one lookout that there were metal disks in the pavement that honored the Christian leaders of Spokane's early developement.  I was most taken with the first one, an native American who understood the importance of translation and difficulty of living and understanding two cultures both of which conflict many times with God's Kingdom.

 It was very relaxing day which ended with a ride on the 100 year old Looff Carrousel.

Birthdays are great times to remember God's many blessings to us and thank Him for all He is doing in our lives. So one last time today I will say HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JIM !!

Four generations

     It has been a busy but wonderful week of being with family.  My parents, Russ and Dody Barton had my older sister Janet and her husband Mike Ewing from Colorado Springs stay with us for a few days starting on Saturday June 4th. The reason for the family gathering was to celebrate the college graduation of my younger sister Ginny and husband Mark Hedman's daughter, Hannah.  Hannah's older brothers came from the South, East and North - Daniel from Florida, Luke, his wife Angie and one year old son, Josiah from Michigan, and Joel (minus wife Meg who couldn't make it) from Alaska.

L-R back row: Mike & Janet Ewing; Carolyn &Jim Mudge; Josiah, Angie & Luke Hedman; Daniel Hedman; Hannah Hedman and Ginny Hedman.  Front: Russ and Dody Barton; Joel Hedman



     On Tuesday we welcomed them all plus a couple of Hannah's college friends for lunch here.  It was the first time for my parents to see their great grandson and naturally he was the star of the occasion.  He entertained us all with his love/fear relationship to my parent's cat, Penny, his desire to be outside, and his love of watermelon. 


Josiah and Gramps Hedman play with Penny and entertains everyone.



     We got to repeat the fellowship at Ginny's house in Mattawa on Thursday with a BBQ of hamburgers and hot dogs.  There Daniel played guitar while we sang some favorite hymns and an old time song my Dad likes about not leaving the watermelon on the vine.  It was great to get time with four generations!

     The actual graduation ceremony was yesterday, Saturday June 11th, at Eastern Washington University about 2 hours away. Although my parents couldn't go, Jim and I joined the family to watch Hannah "walk" and then picnic in a park in nearby Spokane. 


Hannah is the one with the red sash.



     We toured a few of the beautiful gardens.  I enjoyed the Lilac garden (just coming into full bloom) and the Conservatory, which had tropical plants that made me homesick for the Solomons!   Unfortunately Jim's allergies did not like the pollens in the air and today he has had to give in to medication. 

       We praise God that we are family not only physically but spiritually as each one is God's child.  Now the family is gone again but I still have something to look forward to.  Emily comes next week after she finishes her commitment to the Red Cross through the AmeriCorps Vista program.  Stay tuned for updated photos and more news from our own kids!



 

God's designs

     Last Sunday, May 29th, Jim and I drove "to the other side" - of the mountains that is.  Specifically we went west through White Pass near Mt Rainer to Eatonville, WA.   Although cloudy and cooler than on our side of the mountain we enjoyed God's design in the beautiful scenery as we wound our way around Mt. Rainer.   

The weather was cloudy and cool but we didn't get rain until on the way home.

It was hard to believe it was almost June looking at the snow still covering the sides of the road.

 
     The purpose of our drive was to enjoy another of God's designs - the celebration of marriage of Janell Talbot to Joshua Lum.  Janell's family attend church with us in Mattawa where her father, Brian, manages an apple orchard. Her mother, Mashell, comes from the founding family of Eatonville. 

Brian walks Janell down the aisle.

 
        A couple of the church families arrived early enough to help with setting up for the ceremony.  Jim and I helped put the "clouds of apples" centerpieces on the reception tables. 

 As Pre-med and Chemistry majors at Whitworth University in Spokane, both Josh and Janell are putting God first in their relationship. That was evident in every part of the ceremony. I was impressed with the floral arrangement that greeted everyone as they entered the church. The apple box container declared to all that this was a "Triple J" relationship - Josh, Janell, and Jesus!

 Praise the Lord for this young couple and pray for others in the up-coming generation to establish their marriages on the foundation of God's design.

New Parts and Prayer

The last couple of weeks we have been busy with organizing for new parts and asking for prayer.

The first "new part" discussed was when the cardio surgeon told my mother, Dody Barton, that she needed a new heart valve.  My sister Ginny (Hedman) and I listened and asked questions.  Although she is not showing any crisis symptoms it is better to do the surgery to replace her valve while she is not dealing with any other health issues.

Mom wanted to wait until after the 4th of July but the doctor compromised and said she could wait until after Ginny's daughter Hannah graduates from Eastern Washington University so the date of June 15th was set for the surgery.  She will be having other tests in the next couple of weeks to be sure the doctor knows all that needs to be done.  Please pray for the surgery and for a full recovery. 

New car parts were needed for the Crown Victoria Emily has just bought and a smaller part replacement job was needed for our Toyota Camry.   Emily decided it was time for her own car so she looked on-line for cars being sold by owners here in the TriCities.  As many of you may already know, used car prices are up and quality cars are hard to find.  There were more available here in Washington than in the college town of Bloomington.   We both learned a lot from the process and eventually she decided on the reliability and low cost of this good condition car. The color green was an added plus.

  Just to be sure she wouldn't have any trouble with it for the next 3-4 years of law school, we had an auto repair shop which we have found to be really great,  replace a few starting-to-wear-out parts.  Emily will fly home on June 21 for about a week before she and Jim drive it back to Indiana.   Please pray this car will give Emily safe and reliable transportation.

Jim and I sent out our latest prayer letter and most of you should have already received it by email or post office. Please pray for our translator, Rev. Aaron Bea,  who had prostate cancer surgery in April and is suffering greatly from bone cancer.  We hope he is now back in Munda with his family and friends.  Also pray for Jim as he continues to work on the Roviana Old Testament.  Some aspects of the work will naturally change.

A couple again

At 11:25 pm on May 3rd Jim arrived back in Pasco, Washington. It is great to have my husband home again.  I had flipped the calendar page 3 times since his departure early morning on February 26th.  Everytime he needs to be away I always plan lots of fun or productive "projects"  only to discover that I actually have less time since I am dealing with lots of the work he usually does - finance, car, yard, etc.   A few days before he returned I had to give up trying to get the lawn mower going despite the desperate need to mow the overgrown lawn. 

After a few days of being wide awake in the middle of the night and falling asleep in the afternoon, Jim overcame most of the jet lag of traveling east for 37 hours. He was barely recovered in time to prepare a presentation and sermon  on Mother's Day for the church we attend in Mattawa.  This allowed my sister Ginny and her husband Mark (who are the normal leaders for Sunday School and the church service) to visit some of Mark's family and their daughter Hannah in Spokane.   Jim had more material than time, and my craft of making a Mother's Day card with the Sunday School students was more involved than I anticipated but we both were glad to be able to minister in this small way.

It seemed like Jim brought some of the South Pacific weather with him.  We have had a very cool and rainy spring and most of the plants were about 2 weeks behind.  The last of the tulips were dying but our iris were just starting to reveal their beauty.

We also are awed by the huge bleeding heart plant that seems to thrive due to the nearby dryer exhaust vent. Unfortunately we are the only ones to enjoy the sight since it is behind the fence seperating the back yard from those walking or driving by.  We are so blessed that the previous owners loved flowers!

With the better weather we joined our neighbors in planting flowers and vegetables. Jim is the gardener in this couple.  My part is to enjoy the tomatoes, peppers, beans, and squash by the end of the summer!

 I am so glad Jim is back but also excited  he brought back our camera!  I hope I can keep giving you, our friends a  "glimpse" into our lives. Thanks for your prayers for Jim and I as were were apart.  Continue to pray for a united ministry wherever we are.

Another year

Where do the days, weeks, years, go?   A month ago, another birthday rolled around.  Jim was in the Solomons, Jeffrey and Emily were in Indiana.   I figured it would slide by fairly unnoticed.  Next year I hit the 6th decade so this one was not one to celebrate anyway.  But my family and friends are great and I had lots of emails, cards, telephone calls, and gifts wishing me a happy day.  Thanks to everyone who made me feel special.

 Jim, who is not always good at thinking ahead for gifts, had a card and a gift hidden away in the garage.  It was something I have wanted for awhile now - an outside clothesline!  I know that doesn't sound exciting to most of you but I do enjoy the fresh air drying for clothes after all the years of hanging them outside in the Solomon Islands.  And it will save the expense of running the dryer since most days here in Central Washington are clear and dry.   Now if we can just get the cement needed to put it in the ground so I can use it ....