Hi again from the Beairds

Well it's been a ridiculously long time since an update ~ I have at least 6 drafts of things I wrote and never published.. so don't anyone fall over that I finally updated.

A few weeks ago we found out I had a very large amount of lead and was told I needed IV chelation therapy.  It was quite frustrating to call no less than 14 different Doctors in the area to ask 'do you offer chelation therapy?'  Um, no we don't but try Dr. ______.   In case anyone is interested there is NO one in Kerrville or San Antonio, Texas that does this.  So I've been driving twice a week to Austin, getting hooked up to an IV for an hour, drive home and then itch like crazy all night.  So please be praying for me to "get the lead out"  HAHAHA! :)

James' Mom had eye surgery on the 15th so James was able to help take care of his Dad.  Thankfully everything went very well with the eye surgery.

The kids are growing like crazy!  They are all in basketball right now and we're enjoying watching them learn a new skill. (soccer is the big sport in Russia so not a whole lot of basketball watching or playing going on)  Watching 4 & 5 year olds play basketball is highly entertaining ~ they don't have to dribble, and it's more a mix of rugby, basketball and just run around with out a clue of what's going on.  Caleb is loving it although he informed me he thought it would be more fun to play basketball if you could tackle the person with the ball.. hmmm.

We talk with Andrei in Russia every day and get updates on the different Bible studies and news.  So far our house has not burned down, our dog is alive and well and we have a very full house for all of the Bible studies.   During Christmas break they visited 120 homes of children (most have a parent in jail) to give out presents/candy/fruit basket/children's Bible.  They said everything went very well ~ huge praise!   We are all a bit homesick and wanting to be a part of our life over there.. and yet at the same time trying to embrace and treasure each minute here in America and the opportunities we are given. 

In December our precious Rachel turned 10!!  I still can't believe I could possibly be that old.... this point really struck me last week when we went shoe shopping and a women's size 8 fit her quite nicely.   It seems like there is no possible way I should have that grown up an offspring??!?!?  She is a priceless gift and blessing in our lives and we praise God for the privilege to be her parents.  For her birthday she invited some friends to a *jump around on inflatable stuff* place.  They had a blast.. here's a picture of the birthday girl.  I've been glad to see the great friends she's been able to make this trip to the States.

We fly out of Houston Thursday, February 26th.  Thank you for your love and prayers for our family.  Please continue to pray for my health and this final month before we return.  Much love from the Beairds