We will be returning to Luleå in June so we have started looking for apartments!! We’ve applied for 3, which is the most we can apply for at one time! Please pray!!! There’s a lot of competition for apartments in Luleå as the supply seems to be lower than the demand! So we really need to see God move on our behalf here! And we need to be there in June as our visas expire the next month. THANKS FOR STANDING WITH US IN THIS!!!!
The kids enjoyed celebrating the American Hallowe’en holiday this year with our traditional “trick or treatin” with family and friends!! Just thought, especially for our overseas friends, you might enjoy seeing it from our eyes. Of course, it got dark quickly and with all the movement, not all of the pictures are real good. But we enjoyed it and are still enjoying all the candy!!
Excitement!!! That describes Jensina and Gwen when we visited IKEA and found out we could come to their Crayfish Festival!!!! IKEA has really stepped up to the plate here and has their own crayfish festival here in the US!!! We went with our extended family (unfortunately, my brother, Gary, was away with the army) and had a great time eating crayfish, shrimp, smoked dill salmon (gravadlax), cheese, Swedish meatballs, etc., etc. and walking through IKEA!!! YUM!!! A little taste of Sweden here in the USA!!!
Today, we were supposed to leave to return home to Luleå, Sweden. Unfortunately, we needed to change our tickets as our financial support is not at 100% yet. Hopefully it will be soon and we’ll be able to return!! We are around 58% of the $4000 that we need now, so we know it’s just a matter of time. Please continue to pray with us for God to release the needed support! Thanks!! We’d love to be back there this year!!
Seven years ago today our nephew, Jonathan, had a heart attack that left him severely handicapped. We never, ever saw this coming. Never dreamed that when we kissed Jonathan and Caleb good-bye for college that year, that it would be the last time he would be able to talk to us. But it was…for now. We continue to pray for God to heal your brain, Jonathan. But we’re so glad for every smile, every eye blink that tells us that you hear and understand us. One day, we will hear your voice again, whether here on earth or in heaven, we just don’t know yet. We’re so glad that you know God and we know that He is carrying you through this time of your life. Sure wish you could tell us how God is working with you in your spirit. I can’t even begin to imagine the spiritual truths God is teaching you! Love you, dear nephew!!
Gwen’s nephews, Joshua, Jonathan, & Caleb
Please continue your prayers for my nephew, Jonathan (also called JD). He’s in the hospital with a very serious infection. He has a medicine pump in his body for baclofen that keeps his limbs more mobile. This is the second time, in a month, that site has become infected. Now the infection is in his blood. That’s really very serious, especially for him in his condition.
This is from his mom. “The infectious disease doctor came in today. Told me his blood culture came back positive for infection, MERSA. She said it is serious, but she tried to encourage me by saying he is in good hands. She said the sooner they can take the pump out the better. She added what I believe is a probiotic, although she said there isn’t convincing evidence that will prevent CDif. I told her anything that might prevent it was worth a try. Good grief he has enough to deal with.
I came home and Gary stayed with him for a few hours. When he left JD had another 102 temp. He is sleeping often, with intermittent cries of discomfort or pain. What is causing the pain is a guessing game for all of us. We go through our mental check list with him. Called in tonight and his temp had come down some. She said at present he is content.
I am not going to sugar coat it, I am worried. He is a sick boy right now. Thank you all for your prayers. Pray for wisdom for all the staff. We appreciate all of them doing their jobs and their caring ways. There are some disagreements between them so they need wisdom to do what is best for JD over all.
After almost 7 years of this, I am still amazed at how fast things can turn around. He was doing so well and the pump was really doing its job yet now it has to come out and we start over. Discouragement, frustration and even fear are right there to be had for the taking. Trying to focus on the positive and trust God for his grace and healing. Thank you for your prayers for both Jonathan, his medical caregivers and for us. Good night and Love from the Taylors”
If you want more information, you can go to Jonathan’s website at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jdtaylor.
Jamie, Jonathan’s sister, just shared this on facebook.
“Please pray for JD and mom. Mom took JD to Jefferson ER earlier this afternoon because the site of his baclofen pump in his back is red, swollen, and hot to the touch. JD himself is in pain and running a 101.8 temp. Mom is worried they might have to take the pump out. So please pray that won’t be the case, JD’s temp will come down, the Doctor’s will have wisdom and answers and Mom will have some peace. Thank you.”
Thank you for praying!!!
Last Saturday was Swedish-Finnish Day at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia. This year, they are celebrating the Swedish and Finnish settlers landing here 375 years ago and founding the colony of New Sweden, which is now Wilmington, Delaware. (King Carl and Queen Silvia were even here a few weeks ago for the celebration!!)A replica of the Kalmar Nyclel ship (kalmarnyckel.org) was there; that’s the ship the first Swedes and Finns came to the New World on. Personally, I wouldn’t have wanted to be one of them!! 24 crew members and 125 passengers – that means standing room only on the top deck for the 4 month trip!! SOOOOOOO glad for planes!!!! Besides the ship, there were lots of Swedish & Finnish merchants plus Swedish and Finnish music! A national Finnish group, a woman who studied opera in Stockholm and had ancestors that came over on the Karmar Nyckel, and a group imitating ABBA! What fun!! The only thing missing was some good Swedish fika!! I don’t know how that detail could have escaped the creators of the day, but…. it did!! Here’s some of our pictures!!
Today was a happy occasion in Sweden. Princess Madeleine married her Prince Charming!!! Below, you can see some pictures of the happy event!!
Hope you enjoy them!!
We are now back “home” in Pennsylvania! After traveling for 6 weeks, we’re happy to be out of the car for a while!! We had wonderful visits with family, supporters, and friends. And had lots of new experiences!! We’re especially thankful to have had several good days with Tony’s dad. He was doing really well while we were there, but is now not doing so well again. As you think of it, please keep him and Tony’s sister (Dad’s care giver) in prayer. Thanks!
Now, we’re finishing up our home-school year and continuing with raising our financial support to hopefully be able to return to our ministry in Luleå, Sweden in mid-August. Please contact us if you’d like to get together and hear how God is working in Sweden! We may be contacting you also!
Here are some photos of our road trip!
Tony just received a call from his sister, who leaves very close to Dad in Texas (we live very far away in Pennsylvania). They had to take Dad to the hospital early this morning and found that he has a very serious infection and is very near death. Please pray that either God will heal his dad or that He will give the doctors the wisdom to quickly find the source of the infection and treat it successfully. We have not been able to get down to see him yet and were hoping to do that in March or April. Thanks for your prayers.
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