Nan and Keanna decorate the tree

Dear Friends and Family,

Once again it is nearing time to head to bed. I surprised nan last evening and changed the sheets so she went to bed with crisp cold clean sheets. Our room is about the same temperature as outside so we really snuggle down under our warm winter blanket. We try to coax Starr to our side of the bed because she sleeps so warm. Getting up at night is an act of courage braving the cold winds, I sort of expect to step out onto snow when I roll out of bed. But we sleep well.

Nan just finished an english muffin with light peanut butter and a glass of chocolate milk so she can take her meds. We started TPN early this evening and we'll start the TPN even earlier tomorrow so she will be free of it before head to the hospital on monday. We are going to be able to once again experience the hospitality of Brad and Kathy and stay in the city on sunday night so we can avoid hours of traffic on monday morning getting to the hospital. Nan will be staying over night at the hospital after the procedure which will mean we head home sometime on tuesday during the day we hope.

Nan sent me on a mission today, to come home with mandarin oranges from Trader Joe's. We have a brand new Trader Joe's in Brentwood and sure enough they had beautiful tasty mandarins. We finally ran out of the ones Barb and Gerry picked and brought to us weeks ago. Well Nan has eaten 5 of them since I got home along with a lemon. All of this is in spite of the serious nausea that has plagued her all day. She rested and enjoyed the warmth of the fire, napped for a few hours in the middle of the day, talked to several people on the phone.

This evening Nikki and Keanna came to visit. nan and Keanna decorated the tree with silver and red balls, what fun to see Keanna in action. nan would prepare each little ball with a colorful string and then Keanna would walk into the living room to the tree and find a place for it. She did a great job and loved helping. Nikki made dinner and checked out the internet since hers has been on the injured internet list for a few days. I shot a few photos which I have included at the head of this message.

The mails were kind to us again today, more wonderful Christmas cards and even a couple checks. I attended part of the worship hour in Tracy today and enjoyed a slide presentation by someone who does mission work in the Phillipines. It sure reminds us of how nice we have things here and how poor and desperate much of the world's population finds living. I got to speak to the pastor a few minutes and my friends, Emily and Loren Dunston, Wes, Bob Miller, Ted Tryon, Kevin Ahn and Zack Huffman.

Nan and I have high hopes for the procedure on monday and we really ask you to pray that God's hand will be over the entire process. We have been very pleased with the level of care we have experienced at the UCSF medical facilities. We are in the hands of people who are at the top of their medical profession yet are very kind and hopeful, helpful and take enough time to explain what is going on. We are very hopeful that nan can find relief for the constant nausea. It sort of saps the fun out of living and makes just sitting up in a chair difficult.

Art and I have spoken a couple times today and he is doing well, said his mom's service was very positive and beautiful. He has been a very good son to her and I know he will miss her for the rest of his life. He really appreciates Connie's help through it all.

Tomorrow is a very busy and important day. There are about 6 appraisals that have to be completed tomorrow which will require that I use my time wisely. Wish us well.

Please pray for Nan especially on monday at 10 am which is when the procedure is scheduled. I'll take the laptop and try to get word out after the process but that may be a few hours.

We are sending you our love tonight,

tim and nan