Markeva Jones-Parker here. Sorry I haven't written in a while; life threw us a curve-ball, the latest insult being the flooding we've had to endure as of late.
We are staying with friends until the waters recede somewhat and until the necessary repairs can be made to our home. Thank God nobody in our family lost their lives, but until the chaos lessens somewhat, the kids won't be going to school. I just thank God for caring friends who took us in during our time of great need!
Our kids were doing well, but then the snow (and the insuing rains hit, which only complicated matters), and now they're as stressed out as I am. Antonio, our oldest, has taken to sassing me at any given chance, and Colinda, our ten-year-old has also gotten very mouthy in nature.
Wendell has been whining practically nonstop: he is bored; he wants nothing more than to go outside, but he has to realize that the yard is a godawful mess and it's going to take weeks to clean up the damage from the flooding. We will probably be here at Cynthia's place for at least another month or two.
Spirit, our youngest, has been fighting colds on and off (mostly on), but now she appears to be feeling better: she is more like herself. (Spirit is six. She has severe disabilities, among them being blind, nonverbal, and unable to walk, talk, or feed herself. She was born five months early, and it left her permanently disabled.)
I thank God for His keeping Spirit safe and keeping her from going into the hospital again with another one of her respiratory ailments! It's been an answer to our prayers!
I am understandably upset about the flooding, but God has provided us a place to stay, and I always have to keep reminding myself: things can be replaced, while human lives cannot.
Collin, my husband, has been working overtime cleaning people's toilets and doing plumbing work. That will mean more money in his pocket, but with the ever-rising gas costs (and just about everything else), the money probably won't last as long as we would like it to. Add Spirit's medical bills to it, and we might as well kiss the extra money goodbye!
I just pray and hope we don't get any more rain (or even snow) for a while (but alas, according to the forecast, we may). I am more than ready for some warmer (let alone, drier) weather; I have had enough of rain, snow, and cold!
Well, I hate to go, but Spirit is awake; I hear her cooing in her room. Have to go tend to her and get the other children up. Just keep us in your prayers and pray we get to return home soon! And most of all, pray that the rains and flooding stop!! It's really been bad here! Thanks in advance!
Take care and God bless!
~Your friend in Ohio, Markeva. :(
