John and I have been busy taking care of our grandkids and praying our youngest grandson, not quite five months old, through open heart surgery. The last months have been quite an adventure. James is two weeks out of surgery at this writing and is doing well with a prognosis to live a normal life (his corrected heart defect is the same as experienced by Olympic snowboarder Shaun White). Regarding the postscript written December 21 (below) the problem that sent James back to PICU was resolved and he was dismissed from the hospital December 24. We are grateful to the Lord! Prayers for his safety through cold and flu season this year still appreciated. We will continue to shelter for about 8 weeks longer so we can remain available to the kids to babysit without exposing them to the sicknesses that seem rampant right now. We are really going to enjoy spring this year!
Below is our Christmas letter for 2025:
December 20, 2025
Dear Friends and Family,
As I write this, a Veggie Tales movie is playing on the TV to my right, and directly in front of me are two very cute little girls eating popcorn and drinking root beer. We’ve had ice cream for dessert most meals, but each time I serve fruits or vegetables I photograph them attractively for evidence of my generally responsible grandparenting.
Rebekah, 10, and Kathryn, nearly 3, have been here for several nights while their mom, dad and baby brother, James, are at Children’s Mercy in Kansas City for four-month-old James’s open-heart surgery. He is recovering well, but we request your continued prayers for healing and protection from illnesses while he recovers fully over the next few months. We are filled with gratitude today as James smiled for the first time since his surgery 4 days ago. Our family has been carried on the wings of many loving prayers, and our hearts are lighter tonight than they’ve been all week in the light of James’s smile.
Our Rausch kids and grandkids are doing well. Daniel, 17, is a senior in high school and will attend K-State next year. Logan, 13, is rocking junior high as he exhibits an unexpected talent for trombone playing (who knew?) and an expected talent on the basketball court. Isaac, 10, is a fourth grader, and Lydia is a year old. Brian and Melinda are right in the middle of a very busy but greatly blessed season of their lives.
John is farming just as he has done for fifty-some years, and I do a lot of cooking, cleaning, praying, and praising God for our blessings. I have tabled work on a book of devotions for homeschooled kids entering the public school but plan to return to it soon.
Prayers for each of you in the challenges and joys you are experiencing in your lives.
John and Linda
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
P.S. As of this morning, December 21, James is back in ICU for what we think will be a temporary problem in his recovery. Continued prayers appreciated! Love and prayers to you all.
No comments:
Post a Comment