A Quick Trip South . . .

This last weekend we took a quick trip to St. George, Utah to visit Jody's dad. On Christmas day we found out that he has lung cancer which had spread into his kidney's. We also learned that Jody's step mom, Lynette, is on oxygen full time now and is not doing well. So we thought we should take the girls down and see them. It was a dreaded trip because on top of the all the sickness, Jody has had a strained relationship with his dad for years. It has been almost two years since our last trip down there and we were in no hurry to return.

It is funny how God can take a dreaded situation and make it pleasant! We got there Friday night and things seemed to be the normal level of uptight, however, as the weekend went on, it got more pleasant. Saturday morning Mark suggested that we take the girls to the new rec center for swimming and they had a blast. Mark gave the girls each a few dollars and we went to the store and bought them new goggles. They were so funny trying them on hours before we went to the pool!

Here are a couple pics at the pool!

Jody's cousin, Amy, and her son, Bobby, joined in on the swimming and went to lunch with us after. We went back to Jody's dad's house and hung out there Saturday night and Sunday morning until we started the trip back home. Here are a few more pictures!

Here is a cute one of the girls with Grandpa Mark.

On the way to and from St. George the girls watched a few movies. Jody was kind enough to take some pictures while we traveled home.

All in all the trip was good, but quick. We all left with tear filled eyes, not knowing exactly what the future holds. Mark is very sick, and as we found out he has pancreatic cancer as well. He told us there is no way for medicine to heal him, so he has chosen to enjoy his "last days" as best he can without going through the motions of chemo and all that it entails. Not feeling well himself, plus caring for Lynette is hard on him. Lynette is very thin and goes to the hospital a few times a week because she gets so sick. It is very heart breaking to see them that way!

Please join me in praying for them. Most importantly we need to pray for their salvation. Mark talked a bit about "church" while we were there. He went as a child, and loved hearing the girls sing Sunday School songs to him. Pray that he would come to know Jesus as Savior of his life. Pray that as their health continues to decline, they would be filled with comfort and peace. Pray for Jody as he works through the rocky road he has had with his dad, that there would be no regrets of past, which cannot be changed.

As we left Sunday morning, Mark told the girls how beautiful they are and how proud he is of them. He told Jody how much he loved him and is proud of him too. He told me I am a great wife and mom to the girls and he loved me too. Knowing it may be the last time we see him, made that hard to hear. I was humbled by his compliments and saddened by the whole scene. Thanks for all your prayers!!!

Serving Him,
Jess