Vacation

In October, our friends, the Riley's, missionaries to Liberia, home on a 3 month leave which was extended due to the ebola outbreak, invited us and the Kelly's to spend a week with them in Florida this winter. If the timing and all worked out. It did. So we did! That's where we were last week, relaxing with good friends.

4 am departure...too excited to sleep!

 The smiles tell the story!

 borrowed life jacket and goggles, preferred over his blue alligator one, pink and purple are not just for girls in India

But now we are home, back to bitter cold, wintry Ohio. Trying to get warm again. Prepping for surgery. No thanks. Let's just close our eyes and remember the warmth of Florida, sweet times with friends. Sunshine. Swimming. Ocean.

We had "the boys" the Riley's had "the girls" and the Kelly's had "the baby" on the way to the ocean. The boys took it pretty hard that even the baby beat them to the ocean. A little sand, waves and body boarding and all was good again.

And the inspiring Winter, the dolphin with the prosthetic tail. I had a video of her swimming with her tail which she wears a couple times a day for physical therapy. Not able to load it here. Sorry.

Bike rides. Games. Picnic. Putt putt. A little Florida shuffle (aka my very slow jogging-the only kind I like-so slow Greg just walks alongside me!) More swimming. An end of the week concert by the girls. Sweetness.

A wonderful respite. A literal breath of fresh air. A welcome break from the heaviness of Noah's upcoming surgery. God's perfect timing. Thankfully Noah is still positive about his amputations, ready for Wednesday so he can begin the countdown to his new legs.

If you would like to send Noah an e-card, you can make it here. The hospital will print it off and deliver it to his room.

Noah is anticipating popsicles in the waking-up room. Movies and games. He is dreading not being able to eat breakfast before surgery. He has been telling everybody about his upcoming surgery. And counting down the days. He is one amazing boy!                                        


fyi The Riley family will be heading back to Liberia the end of March. You can read about their mission here. I know they would appreciate your prayers!

A few of us came home with cold symptoms. Please pray for healing, especially for Noah. Minor symptoms now, but may need to reschedule if it gets worse.