August 28, 2000 #4

Dear Family,

It is Monday evening, less than a day since Skylar has gone home.
I feel as though I have so much to say, so many things that have
yet to be said.

This is not the end of the story that I would have penned were I
the author; I liked the ending of the earlier chapters much, much
better. And yet I know that the Author of our deliverance is a far
finer writer than I, Master of the dramatic plot twist and the
narrow escape.

"God is to us a God of deliverances; And to GOD the Lord belong
escapes from death." - Psalm 68:20

And so I must remind myself that this is NOT the end of the story, and
that God has the best of all possible endings planned for all of us who
wait for Him. "Tribulation works patience, and patience experience,
and experience hope, and hope makes not ashamed." - Romans 5

Several months ago, when the outcome of Skylar's Bone Marrow Transplant
was still in question, I thought of an analogy that I might use had
Skylar died at that time. I thought about it, and then I never used
it. I was very thankful that I did not have to. However, now the time
has come when the analogy is appropriate.

When Skylar, Suzanne, and Chris moved from Escondido to Corcoran, Nana,
Papa and Uncle helped them move. We rented a big truck and drove to
Corcoran, where we stayed overnight in a hotel. Early in the morning,
Papa and Uncle drove the truck over to the apartment where the kids
were going to live.

When I walked into the apartment that morning, my heart sank to my
feet. I don't remember ever having seen a filthier, smaller, more
repulsively roach-infested place. But there was no alternative for
the moment! Nana worked for hours just to clean the bathroom to the
point where a human might be willing to set foot inside. The carpet
was all matted, caked with spilled food and dirt. The place was so
small we had to stack boxes against the walls in rows.

That day, after the truck was unloaded and returned, I went and found
a far better place for Skylar and family to live; but it was not to be
available for another month. And so, when we drove away, my heart was
breaking, having to leave a not yet two-year-old Skylar in such a
dismal and dirty place. I could hardly wait for the month to pass,
and finally we came back up and moved them into a better place.

It occured to me that now the tables are turned. Skylar has had to
leave Nana and Papa and Uncle and Mama and Daddy and Brother here in
this dismal, filthy, sin-cursed world.

"For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains
of childbirth together until now... For the anxious longing of the
creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God...
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not
worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us."
- Romans 8:22,19,18

One day, O may it be soon! the Lord will fulfil his promise to make us
a new home. "According to His promise we are looking for new heavens
and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells." - II Peter 3:13

Pam and Chris are headed for home on a quick turn-around trip to get
some clothes and take care of a couple of things. Please pray for
a safe trip for them.

Thank you for your love and prayers for us all.

Love,

-Dann