THE JOURNEY CONTINUES IN BALTIMORE

It is so hard to believe it is already the 22nd of of January and we have been here in Baltimore since the 4th. As you know things have changed since we were first sent here. Miracles have been taking place from the very start. Ken's body has returned to functioning as normal as it can (I heard that). It is so easy to forget how complex our bodies really are. We take so many things for granted -blood circulation for one - it is a miracle his kidneys are functioning on their own.

As nice as it is having someone else clean your room and make the bed everyday it was WONDERFUL to get out of the hotel. A social worker at the hospital helped us locate an apartment. We are one block from the hospital, one block from the doctor's office, and a shuttle runs a couple of times a week to the store -miracle!! We rented a car including the "navigator" - miracle (can't even begin to tell you) -for a couple of days in order to gather up items we needed. WE ARE SO BLESSED - we are as comfortable as can be for this period of time.

We had the first out patient visit with two of the doctors, the transplant coordinator, and the financial worker (telling us what our insurance would cover -miracle) last Thursday. We went in with a list of questions and never got to ask one of them because they had answered them all before they ever asked if we had any questions. Our first item on the list was how realistic is it to think Ken could receive a transplant in the time frame they told us. They were already receiving calls about every other day for offers of a donation, there had just not been one suitable for transplant yet. They were pleased with Ken's continued recovery so it is just a matter of staying well and trying to be as strong as possible when the time does come. MIRACLE!!

We have off and on in our marriage carried around the notion of living right in the middle of downtown in a big city. Well this is our opportunity -- we are getting to see what it is like for Hannah out in Portland with no car. Back home my neighbor and I had walked in the early mornings until it got to where it was so dark and chilly. The weather conditions don't matter much when you are without a car. If you are going to go you just get out there and GO. That is our means of exercising everyday - walking the streets.

Ken and I both know we are here in this place at this time because God placed us here. Sometimes it is still hard to wait -- we have tried to figure out why this all has to take place so far away from home, family, friends and everything that is in our comfort zone --perhaps we would not see the miracles and his provision so easily. He has provided us with personal contacts that put us both on the receiving end as well as the giving end. He provides ALL that we need.

Thank you again for your continuing prayers and the outpouring of love we have received - we are truly thankful.