Hello Folks--Phil here.

Lydia's MRI went well today. The initial report from her Oncologist is that tumor looks stable and that we can probably wait 9 months until the next MRI. We will know more when we get the official Radiology report and see her neurosurgeon and neurologist in the next weeks and months.

Lydia is getting old enough to remember her past visits to the hospital. Somewhat surprisingly, she was still looking forward to going this morning--even talking about getting "poked" quite casually. Not so surprisingly, when they prepared her arm and then leg for the actual "poking" to take some blood and put in an IV line, Lydia was considerably anxious and upset. She is also getting bigger and harder for Papa to hold still when she doesn't want to be still. All worked out in the end.

It is noteworthy and interesting to me that it is not easy for me to pray in the midst of these situations. I do not say this as a faith crisis, but instead to say how thankful I am that so many of you hold us in prayer, allowing me to rest in the midst of prayer and grace even when I do not have the energy or words myself.

Again, the news is very good: Lydia's tumor does not appear to have grown at all, and she is growing and developing at a healthy rate (following in the Gebben footsteps, she is still at the 97th percentile for height). Thanks be to God, and peace to all of you this day, Phil