BUSY, BUSY FIRST TWO WEEKS OF JUNE

Falls Creek tabernacle which holds I think about 8,000. This year we had around 6,000. Our cabin was on the highest hill and every evening we walked down to the tabernacle.

This is our "standard" so we could find where we were all sitting. These pictures are a little out of order and mixed up on this post, as I was having problems getting the pictures to download.

We had lots of talent and plenty of music in our cabin, too.

Arleta and Tonya

The first week of June, I was busy helping to cook for our Falls Creek Youth Church Camp. This is our group in front of our cabin. What a great group of youth. There was much work and many blessings.

(This picture should have been the first one, but as I said, I was just lucky to get some pictures posted this time.)

In the mean time, our garden was growing and so was our grass, so one of my jobs the second week of June was to mow our 5 acres. We also were able to have green beans and new potatoes from our garden. Mmmm so good.

While I was in Falls Creek, Ken started our first project that we have been planning since we first moved into our home 2 years ago. He is playing "Bob the Contractor" and I am "Contrator's Helper" as he is enclosing our front screened in room to make it into an Oklahoma Sun Room.

Part of the construction site.

More of the Falls Creek woods behind our cabin

Some of our group at mealtime

This is where I spent the majority of my time along with Arleta and Tonya. The kitchen was large with many cabinets, coutertops, and metal table to do our work along with 3 sinks.

FAMILY VISITS

Jason and Jake at a restaurant in Kansas. Jason was home for a visit before heading to Korea. We were so glad he and Onn could stop by here on their way back to Kansas.

Butch was here for a visit from Thailand. We were checking out Bass Pro Shop this day in Tulsa.

Ken and Butch enjoying their coffee break. Life is good!

Breakfast before Butch is heading back to Kansas.

Butch bought us a special checker board game for our lanai. Ken is a champion checker player.

It was great having Butch for a visit. Ken was feeling better by this time, but needed a little "pick me up" and a few laughs. We all had a good time.

Aunt Carol, Leslie, and Judy. They both came to be here during part of the week of Ken's surgery. It was so good to have them.

Sister Judy, brother Ken, and Aunt Carol.

Our neighbors and church family are great too. Two couples from church - Don and Arleta and Johnny and Barbara were at the hospital with us during Ken's surgery - as were Aunt Carol and Judy. It was so good to have them there with us. Lavoy and Judy also came to visit at the hospital after surgery. We also know there were many, many prayers going on before during and after Ken's surgery. Then the day or so after surgery Ken and I heard a mower outside. Our neighbor Don and his grandson were out mowing our 5 acres.

God has blessed us richly through our family and friends. Thanks to all of you!

ANOTHER UPDATE

Yesterday was a good day as Ken got rid of the catheter. He was outside most of the rest of the day just enjoying his "freedom". He was feeling pretty good. We did not get to talk to the doctor yesterday, so have not gotten the results on the tissue samples. Will go in next Thursday for that and other info. Last night he got another dull headache, but not sure how he is doing today yet as he is still in bed.

We had storms last night. I think we only got a little over 1/2". At least we didn't get the 3" hail that some people got. It is still cloudy and rainy.

Well, Ken just came walking out, so will go get his coffee. He seems like he may be doing a little better as far as the headache goes. Will visit more later.

HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL

Ken is home from the hospital. The Dr. said he got everything. He sent in samples just to make sure everything is good. Ken will have a catheter for about a week. He is not feeling the best right now, but time will take care of that. We are just glad that the tumors are out of there now, and the Dr. will be checking him every 3 months in case another tumor starts to develop again. Bladder tumors are always malignant, so they want to catch them early.

That is all for now. Thanks for all your prayers and love.

FOCUSING ON THE GOOD THINGS

Ken is doing major surgery on his Gretsch guitar. He really liked it the way it was, but wanted to change the sound a little. He ordered new pick-ups for it and is in the process of installing them. He hasn't felt that good this week, but this day was a little better day. It was good therapy for him to work on something he enjoys so much - his guitar.

Wildflowers are so pretty.

This is mama Kildeer sitting on her nest out in our pasture. We can get pretty close to her if we are on our little tractor mower. If we are on foot, she does her little "Look at me - I am hurt" dance to try to get us away from her nest.

The American Goldfinch is so beautiful. Almost looks like a canary out in the wild.


We are neither one feeling the greatest at this time, but getting a few things done here and there. I planted some peonies, one hydrangeas, some azaleas, and some petunias in pots and flower garden. Then lined the flower bed with newspaper (which is a trick in this Oklahoma wind), and then shoveled mulch from our mulch pile to the new flower bed.

Judy, Ken's sister will be here Sunday May 3rd for about a week. She wanted to be here for Ken's surgery. This will be her first visit to our home here in Oklahoma so we are looking forward to seeing her. Our main focus will be on Ken as he is trying to heal from his surgery.

Then my brother will be here right after that. He is in the U.S.A. for a visit this month from Thailand. He will be in Nevada, Kansas, Colorado, and Oklahoma during his stay. We always enjoy having him.

Today is a "rest" day. We both need to get ready for everything that is going on. We are also needing to get our Honda into the dealership for an A/C repair job. They had put a faulty compressor in the 2003 model. It is called an explosion kit and it costs around $1900 to get repaired. They finally said they would cover half the cost. Just the parts are $1400 which we think they should have at least covered that since they knew it was a bad compressor from China, but we have to get it fixed before surgery and company. Plus I need the car for my business, too. Just glad they are going to cover at least 50%. We also have other business matters to take care of - insurance coverage, financial matters, repairs, cleaning - just the normal every day things that we all have on going.

We have so much to be thankful for, and focusing on the beautiful things in our world such as the birds, the spring flowers, our family, our friends, having each other, and having the Lord in our lives makes each day beautiful.

HUGS ARE GREAT

Just thought we would send a hug to family and friends. Love you!!

UPDATE ON KEN

This will be a short post as I just want to update you on Ken's biopsy results. We found out yesterday that the tumor in the bladder is a low grade, non-invasive cancer. It is contained within the bladder so that is good. The surgery will be May 6th and we will know much more after we have the pre op visit on April 28. We have requested if they can get him in sooner, just let us know.

We have a peace and know the Lord is with us. Thank you so much for all your prayers. Nothing happens to us that has not passed through the hands of our Heavenly Father, nothing. And everything that we endure is designed to prepare us to be better able to serve Him, everything.