Looking Good

First of all, we want to thank you all for the cards, phone calls, emails, text messages, gifts, e-cards, Facebook comments, inboxes and blog postings. We are overwhelmed with the love of God's people!

Hadassah is looking great! She is still a very sick girl but you would never know that to look at her. She was even allowed to go for a walk today - something she has been longing to do. Her breathing has become easier and has slowed slightly. The cardiologist also said her echo-cardiogram is slightly improved. This is all good news and moving in the right direction. Tomorrow, they plan to begin oral heart medications to gradually replace the heart medications that she receives by IV. This is being done so that when she is stable with those, she will able to go home and continue as an outpatient. Her future is yet unknown.

We know that all these things are in the Hand of our good God and that He is the greatest Healer of all time - the One who created our amazing bodies. I am in awe when talking with the cardiologist as to how God has designed our hearts to compensate for its weaknesses. So, we will not fear, for He is with us; we will not be dismayed, for He is our God; He will strengthen us, He will help us, He will uphold us with His righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

Fishing With Uncle Steve

I just wanted to share a picture from a few weeks ago. Hadassah and Josiah went fishing on the beach with their Uncle Steve and even caught a pretty decent fish!

Want To Talk With Hadassah?

Hadassah loves to hear from people and it cheers her to chat away on the phone. So, if you'd like to talk with her, you can call her directly at 212-342-4288.

Hadassah Has Been Transferred

Today, Hadassah was transferred to the New York Presbyterian Hospital - Columbia University Medical Center for further treatment. This hospital has a special Pediatric Cardiology Intensive Care Unit plus pediatric cardiologists that specialize in cardiomyopathy.

As far as Hadassah's condition goes, she seems to have remained about the same. She did have a fever and a bad headache last night which temporarily set her back but now she is back to where she was previously. The medicine she is on is helping her heart rate to slow down some for which we are thankful.

Please Pray For Hadassah

This past Saturday night, Hadassah was admitted to the hospital's intensive care unit for treatment on her heart. She has been diagnosed as having dilated cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure.

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She had been complaining about not being able to breathe for a few weeks now which finally hit a crisis point on Saturday. Turns out the breathing difficulties were being caused by fluid around her lungs which was in turn caused by an enlarged heart. Currently, the doctors are trying to figure out what caused the enlarged heart as this is important to know for her future as well as her treatment (whether this is a one time deal due to a virus or whether she has some form of heart disease). They are also treating her with heart medications and many other things including a drug to help drain the fluid from around her lungs.
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So, we ask for your prayers that you will storm the throne of grace on her behalf - that the drugs will have their desired effect, that she will accept this hand of providence with grace, that she will be comfortable and comforted and that she will have a speedy recovery in full.

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He is the Rock; His way is perfect.

Praying Mantis

South Carolina Animals

This is as close as I got to an alligator. It would have been nice to see one out of the water . . . but then again . . . maybe not!

Not sure how "local" this guy is. I met him in the petting zoo.
Banana Spider. And I'd say this picture is about life size.

Low Country Boil

Here's a recipe for you. Dump corn, potatoes, shrimp, crab legs, kielbasa, onion and spices in boiling water. Cook 'til done. Shovel onto table and eat with your hands.Thanks Steve and Yolanda for a lovely Sunday afternoon meal in the South Carolina Low Country!

Lucas and Shifrah

Here's a few random pictures of mostly Shifrah and Lucas these past few days in Charleston, South Carolina. Lucas and Shifrah got along great!
Lucas is such an adorable polite little gentleman. That boy has my heart. He tells me I "look beautiful!" and wishes me a "Happy Birthday" so sincerely you'd hardly believe his mom put him up to it!

A setup that didn't even really work. There were plenty of natural pics like this but I missed every one of them.

Shiffy and her Uncle Steve:

A Walk On The Beach

We arrived at the Isle of Palms (near Charleston), South Carolina, on Saturday evening and hence, by Sunday evening, we were eager for a walk on the beach.
But it was raining . . .
. . . and quite windy!

Though Shifrah and Lucas didn't care about that one bit:

As you can see, Steve, Yolanda and Lucas also made to trip up from Florida to vacation with us for a few days. They left us yesterday but Shifrah is still looking around wondering where her playmate went.

Petting Zoo

One of the Charleston (SC) plantations has a petting zoo. Even Hadassah still enjoys feeding the animals.
And finally, I found a deer that stays still long enough for a picture!

South Carolina Swampland

Good Times With Good Friends

This week, Dassie and I went to the shore for two days to meet up with her friend, Karlea and her mom. We spent one day on the beach and one day at the waterpark:

A BBQ At "The Ranch"

Some of the men of our congregation sometimes go on a Sunday afternoon to bring an edifying word to the men living at a home for the mentally unstable (is that the right word?). So, this past Saturday, we went there with our families to host a BBQ.

Here are the children eagerly waiting for dinner. Little did they know, it would not be coming - the men ate so much, we ran out of food!

One of our faithful cooks:

First, a game of croquet:

Then, on to B-I-N-G-O !

Mary faithfully ran the BINGO cage while Daryl called out the numbers like a pro.

Sunday Afternoon Pals

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