I know it has been a long time since I posted to our Blog, but as most of you know Rita and I have been busy taking care of business, primarily her health. We praise the LORD that she has lived the 23rd Psalm and holds it close to her heart as her health outlook is so much better after a long surgery. Nine and one half hours of surgery takes a lot out of you, both of us, but she did wonderfully well and we will move on to the next stage. From all aspects, another surgery will probably not be in the picture for sometime, as we are pretty much focusing on having the Gamma Knife radiation next. We have a meeting with her primary Neurosurgeon tomorrow(who did the microsurgery) but he has not given us the information we need at this time to put Rita through another surgical approach to remove any more of her tumor. The Radiation Medical Therapist and his staff are instead quite confident in their presentation to us that they can be successful in stopping the present growth of her tumor and shrinking it over time. Rita's symptoms after surgery so far have not increased and they are minor, at this time, and we do not want to cause her greater harm from another surgical approach without any conclusive results expected. The Gamma Knife procedure will be only one treatment and no significant side effects are expected from that procedure. Our outlook from that point on would be to follow her tumor status over the next many years and determine that it is or is not growing any further. We can only give continued praise for what has happened so far. So many events have happened along this pathway to her surgery that have inspired us. I would have to chronologically address them for you to know them all. Many of the events have been people who have unexpectably been placed in both our paths to lead us or inspire us from doctors, former patients who have had such procedures, church members and even the hairdresser who witnessed to Rita just a week before her surgery, telling about her sister who had a tumor ten years ago like Rita and confessing her faith as a Christian. If I could type all the tears that we have shed it would be wonderful but they have been all to the glory of our LORD and more were for joy than saddness. They were meant to support us each day. We give thanks to all of you who have called so many times to encourage us and the wonderful cards and letters we have received. We also acknowledge the wonderful medical care we have received so far, the doctors, nurses and staff who have loved Rita and I through this crisis. Especially to Dr. Rachel Hess, Rita's primary care physician who so quickly responded to her minor symptoms to identify the tumors and who has encouraged her so closely and warmly through this time. I have put in a couple of pictures of some of the cards( in front of Dan's stained glass window that he made sometime ago) We received so many cards and a few of you sent some spring flowers to brighten our day. How we continue to enjoy and will treasure those beautiful words that were written by all of you. Of course we cannot show the prayers you offered but those will always be written in our hearts and in heaven for eternity. Thank you all so much and continue to keep us in those prayers as we will in thanks to you all. GOD BLESS.