Personal

Two days ago, we got an email from daughter Jennifer who is staying in our house. Even before opening her email, the subject didn’t look good. Can you call? Hummpph. I wonder what’s up? The first line didn’t help me feel better. hey dad and mom! I woke up this morning to the downstairs bathroom toilet flooding.

This is definitely not how I envision starting a new day in Thailand! Have you ever tried to fix a plumbing problem from 10,000 miles away? I’m pretty new at this kind of home repair.

So we called and learned that we had 2 inches of water in the bathroom and a soggy carpet in the living room and bedroom. Well, not all of it was soggy, just 2 feet or so around the door, and under the wall into the next room, and into the bedroom… You get the picture. Not terrible. But not good either!

Jennifer had turned off the water to the toilet and begun using towels and fans. I asked our next-door neighbor Scott to take a look. Also, my friend and colleague Doug came by to see what he could do to help. Everyone agreed that we could probably avoid hiring a professional. So Jennifer has fans going, the air conditioner on 68 or so to keep it dehumidifying the house, and we’re monitoring it for mold or any other problems. We’ve called Jennifer daily to keep updated. It seems to be drying.

This is a first – dealing with a soggy carpet from 13 timezones away. I hope it is also a last!

At MinistryNet: Bangkok, every table was given an assortment of pipe cleaners. Everyone was encouraged to create designs. Here’s some of Kay’s creations. Guess what is on her mind?

Kay and I are in Bangkok and are relying on our family for Lucy photos. And they are responding!

Little Lucy. 8 pounds. 20 1/2 inches long.

Sisters.

Michelle writes

Abby loves her sister…she often tells us to “get it” when Lucy cries. She seems to be adjusting well. Keep praying for her and for us to know how to best respond to her as all of us are going through changes! We love hanging out together with the girls, and watching them interact. So fun!

Daniel and Michelle have posted lots of photos online.

Uncle Jonathan and Aunt Meredith have visited and took photos also. Photos and stories are posted on their website.

Lucy Hope Seabourn was born to Daniel and Michelle on Friday morning in the early hours. She came a week earlier than expected thereby declaring that she may be daughter #2 for Daniel and Michelle, but she is her own person and will arrive when she is ready!

So Abby is a big sister!

It feels kind of strange to be half a world away.

I read Daniel’s email about 5:30 am this Saturday morning. Jet lag means I don’t always sleep solidly for the first night or two. So I got up and read email. When I saw Daniel’s “She’s here” email message, I opened it first! I debated whether to wake Kay up to tell her the news, or just wait another hour or two until she woke up normally. I debated about 2 seconds! So I went in, woke her up, and told her about her newest granddaughter! She told me I had better wake her up to tell her!

I’m glad I woke her up. I definitely don’t want to be on the wrong side of a new grandmother, in Bangkok!

We celebrated. We prayed. We rejoiced. We’re excited!

I’ll post photos as soon as Daniel recovers and gets some online!

Welcome to our family, Lucy Hope!

Kay and I have been watching an osprey nest in our neighborhood. I took my camera out this afternoon and captured these photos of the birds.

When I first set up my camera and tripod. the birds would not return to the nest. So I sat down and remained still for a half-hour or so. Here comes the male back to the nest.

I didn’t realize that the female had remained with the nest. She was down inside. When the male returned, she hopped up to take a look around.

The male moved over to a branch. The female look on for a while, then went back down inside. Must be some eggs in there.

Overall, a great afternoon watching some of God’s amazing creation.