Hello Everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It has been too long since my last update, but life happened quickly and I am a terrible correspondent.

First – GOD WAS, IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We had just met with disappointment when Mary tested positive for COVID and we had to cancel our trip to England and miss the wedding.

But God had other plans for us.

Quite unexpectedly, the UK changed its rules and eliminated the quarantine period, we just had to test clear of COVID – something that was not likely, but we had to try.

So we tested three days before the last day we could fly and Jon called us the next day – “I don’t believe it, but you are both clear.”

Now we raced to get tickets, hotels and (hardest of all) to figure out what we needed to do to satisfy the new UK COVID requirements.

As we are not very spry anymore, we allowed for a three hour layover between landing from Dayton in DC and leaving for England.

Naturally, the flight out of Dayton was delayed 2 hours and 45 minutes and, of course, we did not make up any time in the air.

We landed and then had to wait to be pushed to the gate, so by the time we left our flight…….well, you can guess.

Once again, God had other plans.

Our wheelchairs were waiting and we were loaded up and sped down the terminals.

United Airlines had held the flight for Mary and I – that has never happened to me before in over 45 years of flying.

We made the wedding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  (If you have a choice in flying – fly United.)

The wedding was at Trinity Hall at Cambridge University and it was MARVELOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our new daughter Dunja was dazzling and James was dashing.  It was a truly excellent wedding.  (Ask Mary about it next time you speak to her, I’m sure she will be a bit more descriptive.)

Now we started the long trek home…to Virginia. 

That’s right - we finally made it back to Franklin, VA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are getting back into the swing of things – home has not changed, but we have – so new routines and norms.

We started with a temporary bedroom downstairs, Mary has already some work done by her dermatologist, we have a physical therapist, and we’ve made appointments with several doctors to keep up her treatment.

This last part has been tricky, but we now have local doctors to see at least.

Friends from every part of Mary’s life have shown up to greet us home - it has been truly touching.

Did I mention how AWESOME IS OUR GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Blessing to all of you that have  supported us with prayers and cards and good wishes – it has sustained us for this past year plus.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please keep praying for us - Mary is not yet fully recovered, but she is making progress every day.

We are greatly blessed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Habakkuk 3

¹⁷ Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:

¹⁸ Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

¹⁹ The Lord God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds' feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places.