What a year!

This past week has been rather eventful.  Actually, it seems this entire year, so far, has had it's share of drama.  In the past 8 months we have moved twice, been burglarized, had oral surgery, welcomed a new baby in the home, made an unexpected 6+ hour trip one way to take an HIV patient to a AIDS clinic, also made an unexpected trip to Johannesburg (5+hrs one way) to work on US paperwork for Shoshanah, started homeschooling Isaac, and many other smaller activities and details that have barely allowed us time to stop and catch our breath.  A few weeks ago I was talking to Gwen and I said, "I wonder what is next?"  And then this week...  Sunday night I, Steve, had terrible abdominal pain and didn't get much sleep. Monday was fairly normal except for being exhausted from the lack of sleep. Then Tuesday morning after breakfast I started feel uncomfortable again.  After lunch I again began experiencing severe pain in my stomach. Finally we decided to go see the doctor.  He first gave me a shot for abdominal cramping, which I reacted to.  So he then put me on an IV and gave me some strong pain meds and sent us to the ER an hour and a half away.  In the ER they did x-rays and took blood samples.  All the tests that were done came back clear.  The doctor told us he thought is was gallstones or a stomach ulcer. We stayed that night with some friends who live in Bloemfontein and the next day we went back to the hospital so I could be tested for gallstones.  That test was also negative.   A couple of hours after leaving Bleom I was again in a lot of pain.  I hoped it would go away, but I actually spent the entire night tossing and turning, getting in and out of bed, sitting in a chair and on the floor but with no relief.  Thursday morning the pain subsided a little but by the afternoon it was back again.  Some friends took me to the doctor again for more medication.  I was finally able to sleep the whole night.  My diet at this point is yogurt, papaya and bananas.  (Great weight loss program!)  I am scheduled for an endoscopy next Monday to verify whether my problem is a stomach ulcer or not.  We are so thankful to those who have helped us and have been praying. We trust the Lord to work out His will in these events.