Surgery Dates for Santi

We would like to thank all of you for praying for the perfect timing for Santi's surgery. Praise God we now have two dates!

The first surgery date is June 30th for the placing of the halo; he will be in traction for six weeks until August. Santi will be in a wheelchair at all times except for bathroom breaks and for sleeping.
The Lord has been at work for Santi for some time concerning this surgery, the wheelchair that Santi will be using all these weeks was donated to Santi from another little boy who was scheduled to undergo the same halo surgery, but decided to change hospitals, leaving the special made wheelchair without an owner. (God knew that) This wheel chair is a good many thousands of dollars.

The second date, August 18th, is for the actual back surgery. Lord willing, Santi will be in the hospital for a few days and then will be able to come home for the remainder of his healing and another few weeks of traction.

Santi is very excited as he realizes that his prayers have been answered. Every once in a while he will get teary eyed remembering things from previous back surgeries...something about Santi is that he has the most remarkable memory and will recall events and days long gone, with articulate detail. One thing you could pray for Santi is that he will have a peace and trust in God... no worries, no fears.

Please pray for Santi's weight these last few weeks before June 30th, we'd all like him to be as strong and healthy as he can be!

A Day in the Sun

Our family was able to enjoy a beautiful day at a secluded island in Tarpon Springs this week. Jon-Michael enjoyed conquering the horseshoe crab and bringing it back to the shore for all to see...maybe one or two screamed when the poor thing was released at their feet! Digging in the sand, catching small, slimy things, playing with sea weed...what special, sweet memories.

Santi Blueberry Picking

This time in Florida blueberry's are ripe! What fun everyone had in trying to find just the perfect berry...

It's Santi's 10th Birthday!

It's a special day, because it's Santi's birthday! He is now 10 years old!

If you want to leave a birthday blessing, just leave a comment...

Ice Cream and Peanut Butter

We are still waiting to hear from the hospital about a date for surgery. About a month and a half ago, we took Santi in to see the surgeon that will perform the surgery and he strongly suggested that Santi gain at least ten pounds before the operation. Ten pounds would help cushion the sensitive vertebrae and hardware in Santi’s back and bring about a better outcome for healing. We decided to place Santi on a concentrated diet majoring on high calorie intake. Anita and Cilicia did some research online and discovered calorie counters and many recipes for high calorie foods that Santi could eat to help him gain weight. Santi has always been challenged to put weight on; together with his high metabolism, he’s had issues with reflux and spinal pain that have all contributed to a light appetite and lower weight.

Now, after success with the recipes which include lots of ice cream shakes, sour cream, and extra butter on his toast, he has gained 3 pounds since we started at the beginning of January! We are so thrilled! Santi knows he has to be diligent with his eating. The girls set a timer to let us all know it’s time for his snack. He eats 3 regular meals throughout the day, but also 3 extra large snacks in between. His favorite is peanut butter spoons!

We continue to watch him for signs of pain as he doesn’t ever tell us when he’s hurting. Usually after a long, strenuous day of activity, we know to give him a Motrin tablet to relieve the pain and discomfort in his back. It helps him to rest easy. Long walks or long play times are getting harder for him.

• Please continue to pray for Santi as he deals with increased curvature and consequently more pain.
• Pray for the doctors and nurses that will perform the surgery that their hands will move with surety and gentleness.
• Pray that his spinal cord will be protected during the surgery and even afterwards preventing any nerve damage, which is a great concern.

Thank you again and God bless each of you as we hear of your love and faith in Jesus; for continuing to bring us refreshment through your prayer and loving concern for us.

The Lindsey Family

We had a surprise and wonderful visit from long-time friends, The Lindsey Family! Skip and Tammy have ten children and bought a bus here in Florida. Yes, a bus! They need it for travel as they go from place to place singing…..We met the Lindseys years ago in New York…thank you Stoltzfus family for introducing us to this great family.

What a joyous 2 days we had with them……singing, relaxing, eating, and sharing Jesus. Little Timothy could NOT BELIEVE how much sugar we put into our lemonade!!! I’ve never seen a more shocked four-year old.

Here’s a picture of Santi with Skip having dessert….Yes, it’s Oreo cookies and milk. We have Skip to thank for showing us the proper and civilized way to eat Oreos. (We were absolute barbarians before we met Skip.)

Here are the detailed steps:

Ten Successful Steps on How to Properly Eat an Oreo

1. First, you must have a package of fresh, crispy Oreo cookies. Now they make them with a nifty easy-peel opening in the top of the package. This is so that you can concentrate more on the eating and not the opening….
2. Next, you must have a fork. This is what makes this technique, not only civilized, but absolutely dignified.
3. The milk must be cold. (Who likes lukewarm milk, especially when getting ready to dip Oreos?)
4. You must have the correct “depth of dunkability”. Too shallow and you will end up with a sad mixture of crunchy and soft cookie. Disappointing. Too deep and you will have a lot of leftover black-spotted milk you won’t feel like drinking. This is troublesome to mothers and fathers who know the value of milk these days….don’t want it too deep.
5. Now that you are ready with the supplies, carefully pierce the white soft inner portion of the Oreo with the fork. You must be careful NOT to separate the cookies. This technique may take lots of practice….perhaps someone in your family won’t mind eating the “practice” pieces?
6. Carefully dunk the forked cookie down into the cold milk and WAIT…….
7. WAIT……until all the bubbles go away. This step takes patience. You may be tempted to bring the cookie up too early...not soft enough. You may also wait too long and…..lose the whole thing into the bottom of the cup…..Mother will really frown then……
8. WAIT……(Skip says this is the most important thing…)
9. Place the just-right, perfectly-combined-sensation-of-crunchy-and-soft Oreo into your mouth.
10. Resist eating the entire package, please!

Mac and Beth Lynch

On Saturday, January 26^th, we all had a very special visit from dear friends, Mac and Beth Lynch! Mac and Beth live and minister at the Wilds Camp in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, but were in Florida for an engagement here in Tampa. We were so excited that they could both come and squeeze in at our 12 foot table. We enjoyed serving “mojo” chicken….Beth had never heard of it!! Must be a Latin thing….and for dessert….a cake we now call “The Lynch Cake”. For the complicated recipe of our delicious Lynch Cake see below:

1 Very Deep Chocolately Chocolate Cake Mix

1 tub of Equally Chocolately Chocolate Frosting

Chopped Macadamia Nuts

Follow baking directions on the box and bake in 2 round cake pans. Cool cakes, then lightly frost between layers. Frost entire cake, then press chopped nuts on top and sides. That’s it! The combination of sweet and salty is just right…….just like Mac and Beth.

Santi just loves Mac and Beth…but especially Beth….sorry, Mac. Can you see how sweet they are together? Thank you for your new CD….”Journey”….how beautiful………..