Weekly post

Oct. 8, 2007

Dear friends,

My mother is holding her own with Bell's Palsy, but we are still hoping for creative solutions to her inability to close her left eye. She is scheduled to see a specialist today. An MRI last week proved negative, which is good news -- it means there's nothing else going on in addition to the palsy.

My cousin -- not my nephew, as I incorrectly stated in last week's post -- is at Walter Reed, where his parents are spending long daily shifts with him. Doctors were unable to save one of his knees and are working even more determinedly to save the other.

I have been overwhelmed with the prayerful response I have gotten from the divinity school community and my church(es), First and Emmanuel. All very heartfelt, and a vivid example of what makes prayer powerful. It is the interwoven net of prayer and community that upholds, even in darkness.

In terms of classwork, I am keeping up and am waiting ... waiting for a paper and an exam to be returned in two different classes ... I have a paper to turn in for a third class tomorrow, and so will then wait to get that back ... and keeping pace with the piles of readings and assignments still on the horizon.

My son has astonishingly volunteered to play a soldier in the church's annual Christmas pageant, "Unto Us a Child," astonishing because he actively runs from the spotlight. I know full well his sole motivation is that a good friend at church is also signing up for soldiery, but I'm still pleased at his involvement.

Stay well, friends.
Grace and peace,
Beth