All The Desires of My Heart: An Unexpected Start

   At the time of my last post, Dec. 16th, we had finished school for the day, for the weekend (it was Friday) and for the next 2 weeks because it was the beginning of our Christmas break. I had lots of plans. I had all sorts of things I was going to do.... areas that I needed to organize, presents to wrap, one more shopping day planned with the kids so that they could buy a few gifts.
   Dan was not feeling well at the time. He had the day off, and had gone into the doctor that morning. They couldn't find anything wrong with him.... no fever, normal urinalysis, normal blood work, normal X-ray. However, he had been having pain in his lower abdomen for 2 days, and it was getting worse. He went to bed early (that's probably when I made my post), but was up again in a good bit of pain by 11:00 pm. We started self-diagnosing (suspecting appendicitis), and he decided to try to go to bed again and see if it got worse. In just a few hours, we were up and heading to the ER. I left a note for the kids. In less than an hour, while in the ER, his appendix ruptured. He was transferred by ambulance to another hospital where he could have surgery. Christmas vacation plans changed!!
   The kids were great!! My mom, dad and sister all were close by to help out, and our 3 oldest girls did wonders to keep things moving smoothly at home. I honestly was completely pleasantly surprised by how well Jonathan did. God most certainly gives grace when you need it. It was the first time that we'd been away overnight from him..... and this was not just overnight.... it was over 36 hours before we returned home. Sunday evening we made it back and continued on with "Plan B" for Christmas vacation. Things didn't get done in the timely way I'd wanted. The shopping trip was put off until the following Friday after Dan had gotten his drainage tube removed and was doing better. My "to do" list has a lot still "to be done!" But, even after the surprise to our holidays, the Lord blessed us with lots of happy times to remember!