I Talk Too Fast

Today as Leland and I were having a ceviche snack in the Marriott Restaurant, I was asking the waiter something that he was having trouble understanding. The reason he was having a hard time understanding me is that I talk too fast. Now, that has to be a first. I've never had anyone tell me that I talk too fast. Leland and I have laughed over that one.The ceviche was just the thing I needed to set me up for a 3 hour nap.

Earlier today Leland and I were picked up for a trip to the stem cell clinic. Today they extracted 7 vials of blood to somehow use with the stem cell injections. .

Beginning of Second Panama Trip

By the grace of God, we arrived at the hotel, minus my wheel chair, which may still be in Dallas. Landing at Panama at about 9:25 (88 degrees), that is when things started looking questionable. First, we learned that the chair didn't arrive. I do have my walker and a borrowed wheel chair from American Airlines. They are looking for mine. When they find it, and it arrives in Panama, they will bring it to the hotel. The man, Carlos, who helped us through immigration was very helpful and easily understood. Next, our taxi came to pick us up. He told us that as he was coming down the freeway, the muffler came loose and is making lots of noise. As we took off, we heard the noise. What a noise! There were lights all around us as we drove off from the airport. So, we didn't notice at first that the lights to the taxi van were off. When we were in a darker area, I mentioned to the driver that they were off.

He said, “Oh no, no!”

I said, “Well, I can’t see, and how can other cars see us?” On we drove, with other cars passing while we were driving using the emergency flashers. I asked Leland if we had any tail lights. He confirmed my suspicion with, “No. Other cars probably see us as the sparks fly out from under the van. I was definitely questioning our decision to come back to Panama.

Thankfully, we made it to the hotel for a really good night's sleep. Today, we are not getting far from the hotel room and resting. Did I say resting?.......................

Home, Home at Last!

We are back home. It is so good to be in the good ole USA. It is great to be back in good ole Texas! It is fantastic to be back at Content!! When we got home, everything was so dry. We didn't get any of the recent rains that were in Taylor and northern counties. Yesterday evening, we were so blessed by a wonderful downpour. The Lord sent 2.2" to us, and we got to experience it. What more could we ask for?

I want to thank you all for your prayers and your continued prayers. The stem cell treatments' effects are gradual which can take 6-9 months. At that time, we can choose to go back for more treatment. When they performed the mini-liposuction, they harvested enough adipose tissue for another treatment. As bruised and sore as I have been, I would think that they got enough for two more treatments!

We had a good trip back, with much kind assistance at the airports. We flew from Panama to Miami to DFW to Abilene. Surprisingly, all of the flights were 10-20 minutes early. On Saturday morning, I rose at 3:00 to board the airplane at 6:30 and take off at 7:15. We landed at Abilene at 6:20. Brent and Megan picked us up with Sharon's BBQ to eat when we got home. Yummy! Sunday, I could hardly get out of bed after such a good night's sleep. Sunday was a day of recuperation. Leland went to work today. We are quickly getting into our routine.

We are anxious to see all of you. Hopefully, we can tell you about some of the people that the Lord sent across our path. May God bless you as you bless others!

Panama City

Yesterday we went on a short tour to Ancon Peak,the highest peak in Panama, 199 meters high (not quite Pikes Peak). You can see a beautiful view of Panama City.

In the taxi

Pictures at The Market.

Our taxi.

Trees outside of Canal Adminiistration Building. The distance between them is the same as the width of the canal.





Panama Flag at the top of Ancon Peak can be seen from anywhere in Panama City.

View of Old Panama City from Ancon Peak.

View of Panama City from Ancon Peak.

 

View of Canal area.

Bridge of the Americas. Entry into Panama Canal.

These pictures were taken from Ancon Peak on a hazy evening. That's why the pictures were hazy. It seems as though the clouds build up in the afternoon bringing a shower. This is a Rainforest, so I guess we can expect some rain.

Freight Area of canal.

More of the same.

PRAISE BE TO GOD!

This morning has been such a blessing. As we were waiting for time to go to the clinic, I was doing exercises, and walking with a walker in the room. The Lord is doing a work in me physically. I am able to lift my foot and do some exercises with it that I was not able to do before. Praise be to Him!

While we were at the clinic, we discussed how God works through medicine. The reason I am showing improvement is that God has willed it so. It is only through Him that medicine or therapy helps. They agreed and both told us their testimonies. We spoke of our love for the Lord, what He has done for us, and is doing for us. We stayed there just visiting for about 30 minutes. Dr. Barnett, the female doctor, said that she asked God to give her something to make her smile today.  "This is it," she said, smiling her beautiful smile. Dr. Fernandez, the male doctor administering the treatment, said that this is what makes his work worthwhile. Both of these doctors are strong believers who seemed to be encouraged as our conversation progressed. To God be the glory!

Pictures in our room



We are glad to have a WiFi hookup and a MajicJack phone which keep us connected with home. 

The housekeeping is immaculate! We are really impressed.

Buenos Dios

This morning, an unusual thing happened. Our air conditioner went out. They moved us to a new room. We got to the new room in over an hour from the time we reported it.  When we got in the new room, workers were in the restroom. I hope they get this fixed soon. It is 10:20 now. We leave the hotel at 10:45 for my 2^nd stem cell treatment. The first stem cell treatment went smoothly.  First they flush my vein with a saline solution. Then they inject the stem cells and finish it up with saline solution. It takes a total of about 10 or 15 minutes.

The second stem cell procedure went well. I am back in the room now, ready for a nap. It has been very rainy here. That makes the humidity seem even higher. Everything sticks.

Many of you have sent notes of encouragement. They have been such a blessing. Some of the scriptures that have been sent with the notes are very special. I thought I would share some of them with you.

Philippians 4: 6 & 7 – “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.....and the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Zeph. 3:17 - "The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."

Psalm 121 - "I lift up my eyes to the hills -- where does my help come from?  My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot slip -- He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.  The LORD watches over you -- the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.  The LORD will keep you from all harm.  He will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."

May these scripture bless you as they have me. What a great and mighty God we serve! He holds All in His hands. He will do as He pleases, and that pleases me.

Prayer Requests:

We have met a sweet couple from Grand Prairie. Justin and Laela have a little girl, Emma. She will turn 1 in July. She is a believer who is not going to church right now, but she sounds like she reads, or listens to, the Bible.  Justin, on the other hand, does not have a spiritual background. We need to be open to the leading of the Spirit in this situation.

I have a bruise in the bend of my left arm. It is the same place that I gave blood for tests on June 5th. The doctor said that I could have bruised it easily and to be careful not to even rub it on anything. Since he withdrew blood there, it is very tender and easily bruised.