“He knoweth the way that I take:  when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”  Job 23:10  Never would I presume to compare myself to Job, nevertheless, my desire is that we should be as tried gold in the service of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Tuesday evening, August 21, our youngest son, Nathan, had an accident with his motorcycle.  The accident occurred right in front of the house where our daughter Kassie and family live.  For reasons not yet completely understood, he was thrown from the bike, landed on a grassy spot where there was also some poison ivy, broke his nose, and suffered a traumatic brain injury.  He wasn’t wearing his helmet, but the fact he had no broken bones in his head indicates the injuries “could” have been worse had he been wearing it.

Wednesday morning, I received a call from Kassie to inform me of the accident, and ask that we pray for Nathan because he was in very bad shape in the ICU of one of the hospitals in Lafayette.  The doctors handling his case warned family of the probability of 12 to 18 months of therapy and that Nathan might never be anything like his old self.

Friday, September, 21, I participated via speaker phone in a conference dealing with Nathan’s progress, this time with doctors and staff of Hook Rehab Center in Indianapolis.  He had been there for three weeks.  We were told that Nathan was making great progress and would probably be released to outpatient therapy after two more weeks.  By then, talking with Nathan by phone was beginning to be “normal.”

One week later, he was released from the rehab center for the rest of the day, Friday, and was to return to a house where he would continue more intensive therapy Sunday afternoon.  In less than two months Nathan has gone from a drug induced coma to being very nearly like his old self.  ¡Praise God for His merciful kindness and grace shown us!

While all this was going on, we were blessed by the visit of our European Director, Brant Holladay, and his wife, Maylou, the weekend of September 9.  While they were here we took advantage of their presence to discuss plans for the future.  Following his advice, and with the enthusiastic support of our pastor, we plan to start a medical furlough in December of this year.  “Thanks“ to Nathan’s accident we have discovered two centers in Indiana that have special departments for treating stroke patients.  As you can see in the photo taken while the Holladays were here, Cheri has lost a lot of weight.  She just doesn’t seem to have much interest in eating.  There are times when she eats well (today’s lunch, for example) and others when she will hardly touch her food.  Please pray for us as we seek God’s guidance for Cheri’s treatment and therapy.

 Since the time necessary for Cheri’s recovery is unknown, we are currently trying to find a couple (family) that can continue the work here.  At the same time we are trying to get everything processed so we can sell our home.  Please pray for a smooth transition in the church leadership and a willingness to follow a new pastor.

Before closing, another blessing:  September 16 we welcomed the arrival of our thirteenth grandchild, Hadassah Lynne Jones (I haven’t confirmed the spellings).

Thank you all for being faithful to pray for us and for our family.  Your faithfulness has made it possible for us to serve God our Savior, and Lord Jesus Christ these past 25 years in Spain.  Thank you, and God bless you.

In His service together,

Clayton and Cheri Livengood