Where did the month of June go?!?! It seems like just yesterday we were finishing school and looking forward to the slower pace of summer. June however was another busy month packed full with activities.
Maggie, as always, had a fantastic week at church camp. She loved every minute of activity and learning. As part of a leadership group, she along with two others led one morning's devotional time. She's developing a real servant heart. Her summer mission project "Carpenter's Project" is just around the corner and she'll have many opportunities for serving in and around the community. Cross country training has started already and Maggie is running four days a week. Maggie's dance recital was wonderful. She has really grown in her dancing ability and her solo as the Sugar Plum Fairy was absolutely beautiful! She has developed her dancing skills so much that she brought tears to her teacher's eyes. Our energetic little Maggie has blossomed into a beautiful young lady - it's hard to believe she will turn 15 in two weeks.
Kate has been diligent at her studies and has completed her first on line course and started the second one. She is also persevering with working out and seems to be walking a little more steadily. While exercise is far from being Kate's favorite thing to do, she makes an effort knowing the stronger leg muscles will make getting around campus a little easier in the fall. Kate will see the endocrine specialist next week for a follow-up ACTH test to see if the cortisone has helped improve her adrenal function. As you pray please remember Kate's upcoming MRI on July 20th.
Our sweet little Grace was the focus of our attention in June. Small breed dogs like Bichons are prone to something called a luxating patella. In other words, the knee cap moves out of place. This has happened a couple of times each year and within a few days, the limping stops and she's been as good as new. This last occurrence, however, after almost a week, she was still really favoring her leg, so I took her to the vet to have it checked. He said there was a 50/50 chance it would heal and be ok until the next occurrence, but upon examining the affected leg he found some ligament/tendon damage. He said with repeated incidences down the road she would end up with arthritis in the joint. So Grace ended up knee surgery. I must confess that I've gone over the edge when it comes to being a dog person. When I left Grace at the vet for her surgery I walked away with tears in my eyes, feeling like I'd just sent my little toddler off to surgery. With the hovering, smothering nursing care of the three Dillon girls, Grace had more attention than she knew what to do with and has made a great recovery. She's back to her feisty self, getting into mischief whatever chance she gets.
June brought sadness to our hearts as we said good bye to a sweet friend who we've known on the cancer journey. Our hearts ache for her parents as they must go on with out their sweet young daughter, who at sixteen after successfully battling cancer, would lose her life to infection. It's very difficult to make sense of it, but one day we will understand why.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful red, white, and blue July 4th, filled with family, friends, fun and fireworks!
