Well, I think I spoke too soon regarding my recovery and it is only now that I am beginning to make some progress. It has been a very tortuous journey and would not wish it on anyone! I have actually managed to have three consecutive pain free days which is an absolute first, but today has been pretty rubbish. Still, when I have the not great days, I know that the Candida is putting up a fight and is dying-off, which means that all my hard effort is working, although it doesn't feel like it at the time :-)
As a result of my being so poorly and then Dave having a relapse we were forced to look at our family situation and make some drastic changes. With help from family, we are in the processes of moving house to a bungalow just outside of Garstang, our favourite place to be. It has been a totally crazy time but in amongst it all, we have witnessed God's guiding hand throughout the whole process, from the caravan being sold, to someone stepping in and sorting the garden, to a neighbour helping clear and sort the loft room. Within three weeks of the house going on the market, we had a buyer, which in turn enabled us to make an offer on the bungalow.
The bungalow is really lovely. It has been recently decorated throughout and has just been fitted with a brand new kitchen. It has a lounge/dining room, bedroom and toilet with shower downstairs. Upstairs are two really good sized bedrooms with a family bathroom. Outside there is a very manageable garden with a converted garage that is currently being used as a games room, but will be ideal as a home school area and craft room. There is even room at the back of the garden for Dave to have a workshop :-)
The neighbours are lovely and are very involved in the local Catholic church. Not only is the church building fully accessible for wheelchair users but the community itself is a very lively and caring parish. We are hoping to be in the new place by the end of September/ beginning of October providing their are no hiccups! The person buying our house is currently living at home with his parents and the bungalow is empty, as the previous owners have moved on, so in reality it is a very "short chain."
The good Lord has also sorted my job situation! One of our Little Flowers' Friends will be stopping with us during term time, from Wednesday til Friday whilst her mum teaches at a local primary school. Pip and Anna get along really well and they are both looking forward to homeschooling together on a regular basis. Rita will set the work for Anna and it will just be a case of overseeeing and helping with any difficulties.
These past few months have been pretty horrendous and it has taken its toll on the kids, most noteably Ben. In order to alleviate any further stress, he has been stopping with Shein (a lady who normally has them both on a Wednesday) each week from a Monday to Thursday. Shein is really great at keeping him busy and getting him out of the house. Ben does not cope well with change and to have a house move suddenly appear from nowhere has really unnerved him. He is slowly coming round to the idea, but still it is not easy for him.
I have managed with help to take Pip to various summer activities and she has been out of the house most days these past weeks. She has attended her usual Mad Science sessions, followed by a week at Heron Corn Mill with felting, pin hole photography, nature art and den building. This past week she has been at the University sports centre every day and has a brilliant time. She has swum every day, had several goes on the huge climbing wall, played cricket, football, dodge ball. squash, short tennis and badminton. God also answered a prayer in this regard and it was one that I hadn't even said! On Pip's first day she met a lovely girl called Eva who also happens to wear hearing aids!! They just clicked and had a lovely week together. I met her mum on Thursday as she was waiting to give us her telephone number as I was also going to give her ours! Eva will be at sports camp next week and then after that we can arrange meet up times on a weekend. They also live not far from our new home!
Well I guess that is me, finally caught up! If you could pray for continued improvements regarding my health, that the house sale will go smoothly and that Ben's anxieties regarding the move are eased it would be much appreciated. I will keep you posted as we go along.
With love, San xx
