Detroit Driving

It's hard to write another post after the sobering last post. But I guess what I can say, is that it puts life into perspective. So, this new post will be merely a story, remembering that, if money can fix it...it's really not a problem right? (a quote from my mother).
Wednesday was a typical day at work...not too busy this time of year and rather quiet. I happened to get done early with my patients and since the Doc doesn't see pts on Wed I headed home early. The snow is beginning to fall and I wanted to try to get home before the crazy 5 o'clock hour on the interstate. As I'm cruising down the interstate listening to the chronicles of Narnia my car kicks into a lower geer...and refuses to up shift. Though snow has slowed things down I'm still getting passed as I have to slow my car down to 50 mph on the interstate (speed limit is 65) I'm a little nervous about going against traffic but think, "just get home Bekah." Much to my dismay as I go over a hill I see a sea of red lights...Either there's an accident on 94 or just crazy traffic...but I'm stopping 3 miles before my exit to I-94. As I start up again, my car won't go, it's put itself in neutral and starting to roll backwards...I hit the break, calm myself and try again...it kicks into gear and jerks me a foot or two..but I have to stop again and it falls back into neutral...on it's own. At this point I'm starting to panic, it's snowing hard, the cars in the next lanes over are cruising by and I'm not sure if I can even pull my car off the road or what....I call Aaron, he recommends I get off the interstate...but "how" I wonder. After about 10 minutes of watching cars wiz by and many prayers I pull into the lane and drive past I-94 and get off at the next exit...the car starts acting stranger and stranger so I end up pulling off on a side street near Wayne State Campus. Here I call Aaron again, he calls our mechanic while I call AAA insurance (funny that just last month we were debating whether this insurance was worth it!). After several phone calls and tears all is arranged and I just need to wait for Aaron...who, the wonderful guy that he is, called a good friend of mine who lives on campus to come sit with me till he gets there. So Kendria showed up and we chatted while waiting for the tow truck and Aaron.
All in All, it turned out fine, Thank the Lord I was able to get off the interstate...Aaron had worked night shift...so he was available when this all happened. I was on Wayne State Campus, and thus a safe part of Detroit and Kendria just happened to be out of class and willing to come over. Amazing how God takes care of us isn't it. So even though my car is officially "dead" and we're looking for a "new" car, it can be fixed right? So many others are facing situations in life that can't be "fixed" as we would like. Guess we do have to Thank the Lord for each day He gives us and each little gift of grace.
Missing you all in Michigan
Bekah

An excerpt from Lisa's journal...

I cut-and-pasted a part of Lisa's journal entry from today. Just thought you might like to hear her amazing words and feelings...

So how do I pray and what do I hope? Well, I hope that this works, however, God knows best and I have to trust Him. If it is my time to go, Heaven sounds comforting and restful. You see, I am tired of fighting, tired of the struggle, tired of the ups and the downs, tired of this world. But you also see, I have family and friends here that I do not want to leave. After losing Micah I realized how bad it hurts to lose someone close. I don't want my friends and family to hurt because of me. I have events that I want to be here for. Lots I would still like to do and places I would still like to see. And the dying part - well what is it like to die? Would I go slowly or quickly? Would I hurt?
Is all hope gone? NO! Dr. Gingrich says he has seen this work before, and hopes it works now. Me, I hope for a little longer life, however, like I said, I am weary and tired of the fight so Heaven looks good too. My heart is heavy. I am a worrier and I dread getting sick again and wonder how bad I will get. Then will I get better or not? Oh, the questions and the tears. Then I question my life, have I lived a good enough life, I should have read and prayed more, and done more for others, etc. Oh, round and round my mind goes. I cry and cry and then laugh and then cry some more. I just can't seem to to get myself under control.
Yes, I am hopeful and realize that God can heal me anytime with or without the Dr. help. I am hoping for good results for the donor T-cells (they gave them to me yesterday and they take about 2 weeks to take affect) and that we will be rejoicing in the miracle of recovery. But God is facing me to really look at my life and saying "are you really ready to come if I call you?" Oh, and there is a little boy in Heaven standing by the gate, jumping up and down, waiting for me and cheering me on through the rest of my days here. How I long to hold Micah.
Please pray that God's ultimate will be done. That's all I really want is His will. But I need courage through this all. I need strength and peace and comfort. Please pray and help hold me up no matter come what may. God bless you.

Please Pray!

Hi, fam! (if there's anyone out there) =) I am asking for some prayers on behalf of my friend, Lisa, who had Leukemia and lost their 6 mo old 1.5 years ago. She had a biopsy yesterday, and the Leukemia is back. She is not a candidate for another transplant, and they won't give her any more chemo, either. (her body didn't take it well the other times) They have given her more blast cells (i think those are the donor cells), as a final attempt to kick this. They feel that this is the last option they have. The Dr told her he has seen it work before, so don't give up hope yet. But clearly they are devastated, and now all they can do is wait about 2 1/2 weeks to see if things improve. She said today that Byron is really broken over this. He has been so strong through all of their trials, and He's just now realizing that he could loose her too. If you could read her journal entries on her web site... I just cry. She has almost given up, as she can just picture Micah at Heaven's gates jumping up and down...ready to welcome her. But yet she knows her family and friends will grieve, and she doesn't want them to go through that, either. It has really hit me hard today, the realization of how serious this is, and I just can't imagine all their emotions right now. So these next 2 weeks are going to be terribly long for them, so any time you think of them, lift them up to our Father in prayer. Thanks...love you all! Kristy

Queen's Cottage here we come!!

May 4th - 6th is the date! Soon this kitchen and this table will be full of Hoffmann cousins & memories!! I can't wait...Going through these pictures brought back some great memories! =) I have the queen's cottage reserved, and am holding off on getting the 'pea princess' with it as I will loose 5% if we have to cancel it! So, I wanted to make sure everyone can come before I book both! They are giving us 10% off if we book both, so here's the totals: Just Queen's Cottage: $1070 Total - 2 nights & taxes. Queens & Pea Princess: $1550 Total. SO: divided by 18 (let's say everyone can come) that's $86 / person (for both nights - $ 172 per couple)

Hope I didn't loose you...let us know if you can make it! I know it's 4 months away, but I wanted to make sure it didn't get booked. It's really the only house(s) there that fits our clan well! I'm hoping we have better weather this time...

Love you all! Kristy

Virginia

We went to my cousin Sally's wedding in Virginia this last weekend (see Aaron's blog). We had a wonderful time touring the city of Richmond (well on Sat morning) and then visiting some amazing plantations on the James River. Enjoy the pics!

Happy New Year 2007!

Just a few pics from our family Christmas. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and Happy New year. We love you!




Our First Christmas!