We are at the half way point in our 2014 trip...

 

We are at the half way point in our summer trip.  We left Oregon the end of April, arrived in Michigan the first week of June to hold my one week old Grand baby, 7 lb 12 oz Roman Padlo, born May 26th.  He's been giving his mom and dad a bit of a rough time because he wasn't holding anything down. He had to be admitted into the hospital the beginning of July because he had dropped down to his original birth weight.  He seemed to gain some ounces in just a few days and was able to go home only to be re-admitted into the hospital July 12th for the same problem. As of today, July 17th, little Roman is doing much better.  He's back home and on mommy's milk once again. He is back up to 8 lbs 3 oz.  All those fancy formula's did not do a thing for him. I do believe that the prayers poured out for him, did.  Please continue to pray for this little trooper.  He needs to grow.  His head measurement and length measurement is the same now as it was at his two week checkup. 

Please also pray for... 

 My nephew, Troy Ohlhauser has a tumor on his pituitary gland. The medications have shrunk it and it is no longer bleeding.  He still has severe head pain and has not been able to work since early June.  His wife, Kim, has spent many stressful hours driving back and forth from hospitals.  At first Troy was in one Bismarck hospital and then the other but then rushed to Fargo and then spent more time in both Bismarck hospitals under specialist care after that before he was able to go home. This tumor is not operable. 

Lou's niece's only son, Johnny Kinneman, passed away last week.  The funeral was yesterday in Illinois. We were able to attend. He was only 28 years old and passed in his sleep. No warning.  No sign of illness.  Prayers for the family are appreciated.

When we drove from Michigan to Illinois on Monday to attend the funeral we had a problem with the front passenger wheel.  A bolt holding the caliper came off on I-294.  It made a horrible noise when we tried to use the brakes. God was Good. We did not have to use our brakes very much. We were not far from our destination and Lou and his brother, Walt, were able to find a Ford dealer that had the right bolt in stock.  We had the truck inspected this morning in Countryside, Illinois and headed back to Michigan as planned. Here are pictures that will help to show you what happened.  Wheel Problem

We have been able to visit family and friends and even do some extended stays at a few. That has been a wonderful time, for sure. Lou got to meet and finally hold his 4th great grandson, 9 month old Colton born 10/7/2013 weighing 8 lbs 8 oz. Father's Day was full of cuteness!!  These pictures were taken on Father's Day and show all four grandson's with their mommy's and daddy's.  Photo Album - Father's Day

We are spending a few weeks with our good friends, John and Ruth Bole.  They drove in from Lame Deer, Montana to help their daughter and son-in-law with their new home.  Well, it's new to them.  It was built in 1893 and has not been updated since the 70's. Beka and Kevin hope to spend some time in medical mission work. Kevin is beginning a 4 year ER residency and Beka is already a nurse. We hope that helping them now will enable them to get into missions just that much sooner.

And that's a short update on where we are right now.  If our travel plans hold together we'll be back at the Mountain Ministries women's facility in Rainier, Oregon the first week of October.  Thank you for praying for our safety and health on the road.

and if you want more details on what we've been doing...

 Pictures are sometimes the best way to explain.

MCC Quilt Sale, Kalona, IA   Quilt Photo's

Sarah's Quilt from the sale  Photos

Kalona, IA Mennonite Museum Photo's

Lou's cousins - Emil & Dorthy Falasky "Young Napoleon Falasky"