Colorado House
We'd appreciate prayer for the situation with our home in Colorado. We have an opportunity to sell it to a mold remediator who would make it safe for another family to occupy, but we're running into complications related to the pending legal action. Please pray that God would make the way clear to us as we work through these details. It's been a long journey, and we'd like to be able to turn this corner and focus on getting our family back to health. Thanks for praying for us.

Traveling
I’m getting ready for a long trip with some exciting things to do. I’ll tell you more about the trip when it’s appropriate, but I’m heading to Nashville to attend the National Religious Broadcasters convention and then south to New Orleans for a few days. Thanks for any prayer you can give my family while I’m away, and for me.

News
It's been a while since I posted an update here--thanks for checking back every now and then.

1. My mother is in the hospital. She has diverticulitis and they're trying to get everything working. She went to the doctor yesterday and he sent her straight to the hospital. Thanks for your prayers for her. She seemed in good spirits when I talked with her yesterday. Her birthday is coming up Monday. She'll be 83.

2. I finished the edits for Almost Heaven, my next novel, and sent it to the publisher. I think it's the best thing I've written, but you never know how people will respond to something new. It is the third book I've written about the little town of Dogwood. It will be out in September.

3. Dogwood and June Bug sales have been going well, I hear. I don't have much control over that but the sales of Dogwood on Amazon seems to be picking up and CBA sales of June Bug the same. If you've read Dogwood and care to post a review on Amazon, feel free. If you haven't read them yet, I'd love to get your reaction. Reading groups have been purchasing the books and going through them to great delight.

4. I'm headed to Chicago to begin a writing project with a friend of mine. I won't divulge the story yet, but it's incredible--almost unbelievable. I'd appreciate your prayers for the process as we get started. Chicago in February--I get all the best travel plans. BUT I get to come back to Tucson, so I'll warm up.

5. I can't thank you enough for your support on the radio program. Things seem to be moving forward with God's blessing. I heard yesterday that we're picking up two new stations in Tulsa and Dallas in February. Dallas is airing us at 2 am, so I now have a morning show.

6. Andrea and the kids are doing pretty well. It's one step at a time. We met some new friends in Upland, Indiana who are going through the same situation we went through 15 months ago. It's just awful and my heart breaks for them, but I told our new friends that there is hope. And that is true. No matter what's going on in your life, there is hope.

Thanks for making this journey with us.

Kaitlyn
The family went on a hike on 12/23 to Colossal Cave. On the trail Kaitlyn started running and fell, hitting full force on her right shoulder. She was in a lot of pain and after returning home, we knew we had to take her to the ER. The X-ray confirmed a clean break of her collarbone. A really nasty sight. We’re trying to get her to the right doctor to check her out, but the insurance company says we have no coverage for follow-up visits while we are out of “network” in Colorado. Just another rock in the road of life, I guess. Thanks for praying for Kaitlyn. She was looking forward to an uneventful Christmas and now it looks like she’ll be sleeping sitting up for a while.

Progress
A year ago our younger kids, who all loved to read, couldn’t. Reagan’s head was spinning with vertigo. Kaitlyn, who was reading books almost as heavy as she was, had an eye problem where she got headaches looking at the pages. Colin and Brandon couldn’t focus. Now they’re all reading in long stretches during the day and before bed at night. Because of the chemical sensitivity they can’t go to school, but the school district is providing teachers for them, including one who, this week, began coming to our home to teach them three hours each day. So the kids are doing better. We’re not out of the woods by a long shot, but we’re progressing. Thanks to those of you who have been praying for our family during this time.

Thank You
For those who prayed for my trip last week, thank you. It went well. My father is doing okay. He's slowing down, missing some teeth, and moving a lot more slowly, but he gave me his trademark goodbye when I left--what he says each time before we hang up on the phone. "Love every bone in your body!" The feeling is mutual. Thanks again for praying.

Family Visit
I’m heading back to WV to visit my parents and family. It has been a long time since I’ve been there. As I've mentioned here, my father is having some health problems, so it will be good to see him again. It’s scary leaving the Cactus Compound, even for a few days. Though we are improving, any day can present problems. We’ve been on a stringent diet that has helped, but deviation from it brings complications. So I’m praying things will go smoothly while I’m gone. If you think of it, pray for Andrea and the kids while I’m away.

Update on my Dad
Thanks for praying for my father. I spoke with him on Saturday and he was doing fairly well. He’s on some new medication and is trying to adjust to that. Pray for my mom who is caring for him.

My Dad
I heard yesterday, 10/8, that my father has had some more health problems. The paramedics took him to the hospital after my mother noticed he had “blacked out” at the breakfast table. He seemed in good spirits and was at home yesterday, but he sounded weak and still a bit disoriented. Pray that he will regain strength and that he will not insist on driving anymore. He is 89.

Praise!
Yesterday we learned that our landlord has withdrawn the termination of lease letter, which means we can stay in our new home for the remainder of our 12-month lease. I think our landlord will realize we are good tenants who leave properties in as good if not better condition than when we moved in. I look forward to having our family in one place for a few months as we continue the medical treatment for our toxic mold exposure. Thanks to those of you who prayed for wisdom for us in this situation.

Opposition
I shared on the show (9/22) that we have been given a termination of our lease notice here at the Cactus Compound. I don’t think this is legal and I’m getting good information about how to proceed. With all that’s going on, it’s discouraging, but we are not overwhelmed. In fact, now we feel pretty empowered for the struggle. After what we’ve been through, this is only a speed bump on life’s highway. Thanks for praying and please pray for the other parties that they would see something different in the way we handle this.

House
We're grateful that we've found a house that is twice the size of the home we are in right now. Plenty of room for the air mattresses. You can pray that the studio will sound good that we need to set up. And pray for the kids and their reaction to the carpet in there.