Airplanes, earthquakes, saying good-bye and finding a Savior!

We got Danielle off to the airport today and when we were almost home people here started calling Ken's cell phone asking if we were okay. A 6.8 earthquake hit up past San Jose at 1:21 p.m. and Danielle was scheduled to take off at 1:45. The town where it originated is near the airport. We didn't feel it as we were driving back towards San Jose or home, but we had no idea if Danielle got off to Houston safely. We checked the T.V. and saw the damage to office buildings, glass blown out, in stores things off shelves. We checked with Continental Airlines as soon as we got in and found that she left a little over an hour later than she was scheduled too, so I am not sure she will make her flight in Houston, but we know she is safe and did leave the country!

On a happy-sad note, Ken's Great-Aunt died and his parents have been in Texas with his sister for the funeral. We hadn't been able to reach his parents on Monday to tell them the good news about the biopsies and started to get concerned. They called us on Tuesday, while they were on the road, but having arrived in Texas safely and told us of her passing. Aunt Joanne was a believer, so it makes the news easier, though we wish we could be home with her family. Selfishly, we will miss her tremendously! She was a great spiritual influence on Ken and his siblings. Aunt Joanne has been an unrelenting prayer warrior for us on this missionary journey! We are happy that she is no longer suffering!

Today, was a sad day. It's hard to not have Danielle here on a day-to-day basis with our family. When she leaves, it feels like your heart is being pulled out of your chest and her personality leaves an obvious gap in our family. We are so thankful for this time that we had with her! God is good, He is gracious and this time of letting her go was a little easier than last time, though everyone is a little more subdued and quiet this afternoon. So, hug her BIG for us when she gets back home!

With the team here, Ken & I are like two ships passing at port being pulled in different directions. Today, I just found out that Ken had the privilege of leading a man to the Lord on Tuesday night at the homeless shelter! Praise the Lord!!!