Where are those Palmers? How are they doing? Well, I’m glad you asked, or at least are wondering. We are so thankful for the privilege of being in the care of our daughter Judy and family in the home they are buying here in Sanford.

Our health is fairly stable right now; that is, we have been spared the ongoing problems suffered by many folks our age. My oncology doctor, along with other specialists, have found, with MANY tests, no signs of cancer developing. The Barrett’s Esophagus found last year has not progressed toward cancer. My present struggle is mainly with a severe case of cellulitis in both legs. For  further control over that, I am due next week to start using Lymphedema compression wraps for a while to reduce the extreme swelling. Then I’ll go back to wearing compression socks.

My dear wife of 70 years – our anniversary is (or was) this Sunday, the 19th – is pressing on. She still has fewer Drs’ appointments than I do. Her main trials are regarding her boring life, losing vision and hearing, memory and balance. She walks pretty well with her walker, but she needs constant attention to help her keep from falling.

One Sunday a few weeks ago she and I arrived at Sunday School and were turning around to sit down on the cushioned chairs. It can happen so fast! While I was putting my things down so I could help her get organized, she fell forward onto the soft chair. But she landed on her shoulder and bumped her head on the wall beside the row of chairs. With help to check her out, she seemed uninjured. But in a week  or so,  pain set in and Heather in caring for her, noticed her shoulder area was bothering her, and bruising appeared. She took her to the hospital for X-rays, and also to check on her continuing cold symptoms. She was admitted and she was found to have a broken collar bone plus a slight case of pneumonia.

I was there already, so we had 3 days there at the same time, but I got to visit her only once. I was held there for 5 days to make sure there was no blood clot in these legs, because one doctor reported he saw one, and urged me to go to the ER. I was rushed there, and after 3 different ultra sound looks, there is no clot, praise the Lord.  I must elevate the legs as much as possible. Corinne just now finished 6 weeks of inactivity, not leaning on her left arm, letting it heal. Another Xray showed healing is well under way but she was advised to not raise her arm above her shoulder. So she goes on, with no pain, no complaining, enjoying Heather’s expert care. She and I both are getting home physical therapy, by visiting therapists, to strengthen her legs, and to keep my legs moving for healing, and also to relieve me of pain due to poor posture.

Though officially retired, we are still seeking to be a blessing at a distance to some of our Hamtai believers, mainly through the 4 men working with me as the Hamtai Translation Team. I am committed to helping them and other Hamtai church leaders as long as I am alive and well enough to do so. However, it is obvious that I will not be able to work with them to finish, and get checked, the amount of the Old Testament we had hoped to get done for the sake of the Hamtai churches. So field leadership asked me to stop doing so. So I am going to concentrate on helping them produce more Bible lessons and outlines. More on all that next time.

During the past year or so we have had trials and blessings as usual. Repairs or replacement needed for cars, house appliances, computer. The yard work is more  than Jim can handle, (I help a little bit for exercise,) my computer needed to be replaced because of viruses; we chose the wrong insurance coverage (my fault) causing larger health bills, etc. However, I’ve experienced personal revival, God is supplying extra funds for various needs. More details later.

Trusting the Lord,

as in Habakkuk 3:17-19

Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.

The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to tread on the heights.