Monday, August 29, 2005

Yummy Treats

Be sure to use the spoon when you get your treats today. These all natural high-protein treats are all the rage at GTY today.

Saturday, August 27, 2005

Cooking with Agop

We went to a Bible study picnic at a park in Valencia. Agop the chef prepared a huge spread of ethnic Armenian food. It was all too delicious. We are trying to arrange a marriage between one of their girls and one of our boys so we can get the recipes! Who wouldn't want to cook on swords?

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Bow Down

Jay Morrissette bows down before our Rimage. He is offering a sacrifice of pain in order to get all the systems up and working off of one control unit.

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Branded

Kerry found this mark on her arm a few days ago. We went to the doctor and they said it's nothing, give it a few days. We say it looks like "the square root of F". She says it hurts less today.

What is it?

Jay Flowers found this plant material in his salad. It looks like it might be some kind of succulent plant. The manager said it was part of their 25 leaf salad mix. Jay thinks it may be the 26th. I'm taking it home to try to identify it.

Saturday, August 20, 2005

Only in LA

We took some friends downtown today to see the sights. At the Red Line station in North Hollywood we found two policemen riding Segways. They were telling jokes and having a good time. They ended up on the subway with us. Yes we have a subway in LA, it has over 67 miles of track, and police on Segways. What's your subway have?

Friday, August 19, 2005

DelTaco Story

This is my friend John Daley in front of his favorite DelTaco - the one in Barstow California. I've eaten at this on several times over the years, and I too find it to be better than the average DT. I think it has something to do with their generous use of cheese.

Thursday, August 18, 2005

A Grand View

Here is famous blogger Phil Johnson in front of a Grand view. I hope they make it back without any further disasters.

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

The Places You Will See

All the GTY international directors had their pictures taken today. It has been a blessing to hear how God is moving in their countries. They are all getting ready to visit the Grand Canyon on Wednesday. I will miss them all, but they will be back in two years.

A Sad Day

Our good friends the Kahl's just sold their house. They will be moving to Montana in less than a month. I have known John for over 15 years; we will miss them very much.

Everyone from everywhere

All of the GTY directors gather at GTY-USA for meetings.

Thursday, August 11, 2005

An International Event

What do you do when you have all the directors of a ministry in one place? If the ministry is Grace to You, you have a party. You invite your staff and volunteers to a luncheon, and you have a great time of fellowship hearing how God is working all over the world. We had a great time. GTY does these events with great aplumb.

Tuesday, August 09, 2005

Ultimate LA

All the best of LA. Sun, beach, surf, and film. Jay and I took Tony to see the sea. We did the windy mountain pass. Weekdays are the best time to go to the coast.

Sunday, August 07, 2005

Babe Thief in the City

An expensive free ticket. I had a free ticket for Universal Studios; it expired today - but I could convert it into an annual pass if I went to Universal today. We thought how hard could that be?

After paying $10.00 to park in the full sun, we walked to the entrance. I gave Kerry some cash to buy the boys some snacks while I ran in to get the free upgrade. While I was fighting the lines, Kerry was being bumped into while looking in a store. Moments later she realized that her cash had been stolen from her purse.

The purps must have been watching when I gave Kerry a huge roll of cash. What they did not know was I gave Kerry a roll of ones with a few fives inside -- total $20.00. They must have followed her into the shop, and reached into her unzipped purse when they bumped into her.

We hope they buy some bad sea food with the money, so they can go to the hospital and have a pastor visit them and share the Word of Life with them. Or that God would convict them for their sin.

Who whould have thought that LA's Citywalk would be so filled with sin?

Friday, August 05, 2005

Home At Last

We are home at last. After a problem at the lab (Cooper had to have blood re-drawn) we were able to go home. Just a few follow-up apointments next week and he should be fine. Thank you for your prayers.

Play Time

Hospitals are are a hard place to be a kid. Cooper has seen more TV since he's been in the hospital than he has in his whole life. Not really but it seems that way. I convinced him that we should go for a walk. We went to the play room. We played for about half an hour, read some books, then did laps around the ward.

His blood work is still improving, but he has more tests. We are hopeful we can go home soon.

We've been encouraged by the emails from friends and others who have praying for Cooper. Thank you.

Thursday, August 04, 2005

Doing Better

Cooper's tests have been better. His white count is where it shoud be. But they will not let us go for another 24 to 48 hours. Cooper is getting used to his IV leash. We must measure all his liquids in/out so that makes some things more fun. I think we can make these schools days because we are learning the metric system.

A Quiet Place

My mom and dad stopped by, so Kerry and I took a walk together. We found the hospital garden. No charm or peace. The fountain was a bit of nothing, all the tables were dirty, and the main HVAC unit was just above our heads droning at about 75 dB. We enjoyed our time in the garden of the damned.

The love of the church

California has a ton of laws. There is a new one for hospitals where all minors must be electronically monitored. Cooper has a Martha Stewartesque ankle tag. He cannot leave the ped center or go near the emergency stairs with out an escort key, or the alarms go off. I guess with all the divorce and custody issues, some parents try to steal their children while they are in the hospital. Wow one of the alarms just went off down the hall - very loud. Still no news. I was struck by the emptiness of the world - our non-Christian friends have said things like 'we are thinking about you' and 'hope it all works out well for you'. Our Christian friends have said 'we are praying for you'. We take great joy in knowing that people are pleading before our great Saviour that Cooper will be made well. What an encouragement that they are not only thinking of us, but that they are joining with us in prayer.

Still waiting

They still do not know what's wrong. More tests today. Cooper is ODing on TV. We can turn his off, but his 14 year old neighbor watches TV all say. He likes to watch BET videos at volume. We gave Cooper his leap pad to give him another quiet activity.

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

More tests

EKG and Echocardiogram. Still waiting for a diag.

Coopie's New Friend

Cooper started crying, not because he is in pain, but because he does not want to spend the night. He has not decided on a name for the GTY tiger. But he is snuggling with him.

Such good friends

We still have no info. But already we have had an outpouring of love. Don Green came by to pray with us, several people have called, and GTY sent a balloon and stuffed tiger. It matches his new hospital gown.

Oh what fun

So we woke up this morning at Cooper was not feeling well. His heart was pounding and he did not look right. After a trip to urgent care, we were sent to the hospital to be admitted in pediatric ICU. After a bit we were actually put into regular peds! They do not know what's wrong with him, but with all the blood they have drawn they should have enough to clone him.