The Good and the Bad

After a computer crash, we're back up and running. It's been a tough week. The news about the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti has had me on the edge of my seat, and it brings back so many vivid memories of my time in Honduras following Hurricane Mitch. Haiti's disaster is exponentially worse, but my limited experience with a natural disaster in an impoverished country is enough to give me an inkling as to what's going on in Haiti, and my heart aches for the incredible losses of the Haitian people. Perhaps later I will post an excerpt from my sermon on the issue today.

Late in the week I received news from my mom that my beloved Grandma Voss was en route to the hospital, they weren't sure what was wrong. She had a mini-stroke, the doctors concluded, and just as she was showing signs of a recovery, she had another stroke in the hospital today. She is being transferred to the Grand Rapids hospital, and my Aunt Barb and cousin Paula are by her side. I will keep you posted as I hear more. For now, my sense is that my grandma may not be able to go on living independently. Please keep Beulah Voss in your thoughts and prayers, and my family as well. Anyone who has ever met my Grandma knows that she's got a spitfire spirit, shares a laugh with anyone, and always says exactly what's on her mind. She's also the beloved mother of my dad, and his absence makes her presence that much more special. It's hard to see the ones we love age and change and suffer setbacks like a stroke. I wish I could just get in my car and drive right over to the hospital.

Having a child around during a hard week can sometimes be a blessing. They can't help but be their silly selves. Myles saw me crying and came to give me a hug and then ordered me upstairs and into the bed (I guess being sad is kinda like being sick?). He often goes to his bedroom when he needs to calm down or gets hurt or upset, so I think he was wanting me to go to my own bedroom. Myles and I have been cracking up at Seth all week, because he has a new routine where he makes Myles' stuffed sloth pee and poop in the sink...it's quite the performance. And it's really nice to have a moment that is equally humorous to mama and son alike.

Myles says: "Hey you two!" "I have a baby in my belly. It's a boy. His name is Seth Hendler-Voss." Me: "Oh no, the rain got on your trike. Don't sit on it or you'll have wet pants." Myles: "Get off my bike rain!" "Mama, that shirt looks great on you!" At the dinner table: "We need to pray."

Okay, that's it for now, I'm signing off to get to a meeting...