Happy Thanksgiving!

We celebrated Thanksgiving on Tuesday, because we are going to Kruger National Park tomorrow for 4 days. Thank you Tim and Luann for cooking an amazing meal, and for welcoming us into your home. I had so much fun, and enjoyed the day!!

A sunset is proof God colors outside the lines! -Beth Moore

Cricket Pro 20

We had SO much fun at the Cricket game last week. Ella did well, seeing that it was only 4 days after surgery. James thought he bought grass tickets, and bought seats instead. So, Elle tried changing to grass seats, and they were sold out. Well, there was a lady who was talking about the ICC facebook group, and how people could win tickets. Ella said, "I have facebook!" and the lady gave us 4 tickets. Now normally, this would not have mattered because we already bought tickets. But did these tickets ever matter. You see, we would have been sitting in the bleacher seats, and there was no way Ella would have been able to do that. So, we were thankful for these seats that had backs, and were even under an overhang. I say that, because it rained and stormed toward the end of the game, and we were able to stay DRY! It was a fun game, and we had a blast! (even though England won because of the duck rule by one)

Wanderers Stadium

Happy to be at the game!

Elle snappin' pics.....she loves doing this!

Enjoyin' our cokes!

Displayin' the South Africa colors!

Dave and I...can u just smile?

Must have scored a 6!

And then the rain came.....

So we pulled out the cards and played Euchre!

and the game was cancelled after this.

Really?

So tonight, the Embree kids are sleeping over at my house. I told them I would turn on my i-pod for some music to sleep to, but my i-pod decided to "break" a couple weeks ago, and holds no power anymore....no matter how much it gets charged. (ugh) So, I told Hannah I would sit at the end of the couch and work on my computer and also play music. So I was doing that and getting kicked hard every now and then in the side. But this was the breaker. She decided to let loose, and her foot almost became my dinner. ;)

Ella, James,and Dave....I hope you sleep super well!

Movin' along-slowly but surely!

So I have been staying at Embrees since Elle got home Monday. We were up almost the entire night Monday watching movies and laughing lots, since she was WIDE awake. Tuesday morning, she was feeling ok, and James was playing guitar and singing. This pic makes me laugh. It's a bit dark, but you can see the laughter going on!

After this, she started going downhill, and the pain started setting in. Tuesday and Wed. were both rough. Her back and shoulders have been killing her. Last night, we got her some new meds, and today they seemed to help. She was more lively, and less groggy. I was so glad to see her when I got home today looking so much more like herself. I just smiled, because I think she's turning the corner now. :) She was playing Settlers tonight!

Please continue to pray. She has an appt. Monday to see what happens from here.

At 5 am this morning, I had someone come and visit me on the couch. Brony jumped in with me....I didn't sleep much from here on out. But how can I resist her?

Notice the other visitor in bed with me? HILARIOUS!!

Tomorrow, Mary is taking the kids, and James, Elle, Dave and I will go to the Pro 20 Cricket game. I'm really excited!

Thanks for your continued prayers! They are very appreciated!

Ella's surgery

We got to the hospital around 12 today. I dropped off the kids, and met up with James and Elle. They had just got a room, and I gave her my present I had for her, which included new pajama pants, and the book that I made for her of messages from supporters and family back home. She loved them!

It was then time to get all the paperwork and pre-op stuff happening. I held onto her rings, and then it was time to go in for her op. If you know Elle, she hates anything medical related and passes out easily. Seeing things can do this as well. So, we prayed with her, and she pulled the covers over her as they took her in.

The surgery started at 2:20ish and lasted about 45 minutes. They were able to do the smaller incision, which is great. The doctor told her she has Endometriosis, and that he was only able to get about 80-90% of the cyst. So, she'll go back next week to discuss what all that means. She did well....she was pretty out of it, but still had her humor and made us laugh. :) (I won't tell you what she said) I left at 6:15 to get the kids, and she was still pretty out of it. James went and got her scooto's, and if she could eat, they were going to discharge her tonight. If not, she'll come home tomorrow, and the recovery should only be about a week or two now. Praise the Lord for that!

Thank you all for your prayers, phone calls, and the meals many of you will be providing this next week. And thank you to all of Ella's supporters for the ecnouraging messages for the book. It was a pleasure for me to put together, and I enjoyed reading all of your kind words as well. It's great to know that so many people all over the world are praying for you during difficult times. Please continue to pray for us this week as Elle recovers. I'm excited to teach the kids, and I'll do my best to make sure Ella RESTS!

Love to you all!

Please pray!

Please pray for Ella tomorrow as she has surgery to remove the cyst on her ovary. They are going to try and get it out in a small incision, which would make it outpatient. We are praying this will be the case. If not, they will make the bigger incision, and she will be in the hospital until Thursday. She needs to be there at 11:30, and they will do the surgery whenever the doc is available. I'll try and keep everyone posted. Much love from Jo'burg, and thanks!

26.2

James and one of his students from the college ran in the Soweto Marathon on Sunday, so we all went to cheer him on. James stayed with Derrick the entire time, even when they had to walk because Derrick started getting cramps in his leg. Their finish time was 4:11. I don't know how Derrick is feeling, but I'll find out tomorrow when I see him at class. James was doing great, a bit sore, but seriously....who wouldn't be after running like that? :) We had so much fun cheering them on! Great job James and Derrick!!

Piano Recital!

Yesterday, I had my first piano recital in 16 years. I played Parade of the Tin Soldiers, a duet with my teacher, and it went great. Hannah and Max also played, and did great too.