Dad Stahlke
Leonard is doing better, but is very weak. His infections (cellulitis and pneumonia) are either gone or under control, so we can wait to travel to Texas as originally scheduled and not as an emergency trip. Thank you for prayers, and keep them coming.
Declaration of Independence
Jonathan has always enjoyed memorizing important passages, whether they be Scripture or otherwise. To prepare for his current composition work on _Song of Songs_, he spent weeks last summer committing the entire book to memory.
Sometimes at a meal, one of the children would mention a food item found in the _Song of Songs_. Jonathan would break into a recitation of Scripture on the spot, which was sometimes on the racy side considering the source. The kids would just roll their eyes at their geeky Dad.
Yesterday, David and Peter were fighting like cats and dogs, as usual. One of them stormed into the kitchen, spouting to Jonathan and me all the insults just received. I responded as best I could to dampen the battle, and sent the child on his way.
Jonathan looked at me and recited:
But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such . . .
Leonard
Jonathan and I talked to his parents last night. His father's temperature is better, and the swelling in his leg is diminishing.
But as of late last night he has pneumonia in his left lung. The doctor is confident that both infections are treatable. I'm praying that the C-Diff issues that my father has endured won't affect Leonard, as well. But let's take it one day at a time.
Doing Better
Jonathan's father has been receiving antibiotics and IV fluids since he arrived in the emergency room on Tuesday. Within 24 hours, his fever broke, which is great news. The infection is in his left leg below the knee. It's a bacterial skin disease called cellulitis, which can spread quickly and become life-threatening. He has had cellulits before, and has taken a low dose of antibiotics for many months. That tells us how much the chemo has weakened his immune system.
According to my searching on the internet, strep and staph are the two most common bacteria that cause cellultis. In our phone calls and texts with family in Texas, no one has mentioned the doctors discussing MRSA, but my reading on the internet mentions that the MRSA type of staph is on the rise in cellulitis cases.
I'll give you more news as we receive it, but the best information is that Jonathan's father is responding quickly to treatment.
Prayer Concern
About two weeks ago, Jonathan's father learned that his esophageal cancer has metastasized to his liver. He started chemotherapy last Wednesday to reduce the size of the tumor or limit its growth, which should help reduce future pain. But the chemo, even at half-dose, was too strong for him, and he developed complications over the weekend. He is currently in the hospital with an infection, which is dangerous because his immune system is compromised due to his health and the chemo.
Please keep Jonathan's parents, Leonard and Lucille, in your prayers.
Court of Honor
David advanced in rank last night to become a first-class scout. As they introduced him, I started applauding before realizing that the scout leaders wanted David's parents to join him at the front of the hall. Then, I was REALLY glad I had changed out of my grungies for the event!
We were the only parents called to the front last night. The few high school scouts who earn Star, Life, or Eagle specifically stand alone for their advancement (a way to show their independence). But David was the highest ranking scout in junior high to advance at this court of honor. I'm proud of him.
Rebellion
What is it about the younger generation exposing their underwear? First it was sagging.
Now we're undergoing the war of the straps. Bra straps, that is.
Job Hunting
A friend of mine saw a job ad at her local grocery story for a "butcher's assistant." She thought of Paul, who has been trying with difficulty to find regular employment. The job market in Chicago is still pretty flooded with seekers.
But we think Paul has a good chance at this particular job. He has been cleaning fish since he was a young boy, so he has some experience to bring to the position.
Jonathan drove him to the store yesterday to ask some questions. Sure enough, two different announcements were posted on the door to the store. The contrast was amusing--butcher assistant and cake decorator!
Royal Wedding
I remember watching the Diana/Charles wedding in the early 80s after rising at 4 am! The Swedish royal wedding two days ago was at a more manageable hour--9 am CST. Jonathan listened to my lengthy description, but I want to pass on one tidbit to you.
These ceremonies give me ideas for my work as a church musician. The recessional on Saturday was played by about 20 walking (!) violinists in ethnic costume. They preceded the bride and groom out of the sanctuary with a glorious unison folk song that filled the room with warm and intimate sound. Wow!
Graduations
Paul and Sarah both graduated this spring--Paul from high school and Sarah from eighth grade. We hosted an open house for Paul, with the activities that he enjoys. Friends and family, grilling, good food, and a decorated house. His younger siblings tied curled ribbons on the rails of our front steps, taped graduation balloons and a big banner along the living room walls, and attached green bows of all shades down the center of our dining room window. All of these were ideas that would not have occurred to me, and I enjoyed seeing what they came up with. Paul was at ease and seemed very happy.
Wednesday night we attended our fourth graduation service and reception at Grace. Sarah wore a very lovely white dress made for her by a good friend, and had her hair and nails especially done up for the occasion. She walked as sure-footed as a model down the aisle, smiling and beautiful. The service highlighted the friendships and achievements of the entire 8th grade class, and when they sang their class song, it was hard to hold back the tears. What a wonderful evening!
Luke 15:11-16
There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
