Update - 21 March 2015

Although we don’t have any major news for you (which is a good thing!) we thought we’d update the blog as people often ask how things are going if we leave it too long between posts!  We have been very touched by all the cards, emails, texts and phone calls – we value each one as it reminds us that so many people are supporting our family and praying for us all.  We have had messages from people we don’t even know, and last Sunday evening Jen was chatting to a lady who said “oh, we’ve been praying for a little girl called Phoebe, but we didn’t know who she was”!

It is strange how quickly we have all got used to our new way of life.  Phoebe goes each weekday morning to the cancer hospital for radiotherapy and usually spends part of the day at school if she feels well enough.  There is a wheelchair in the hall, containers of “meds” on top of the microwave,  a wig has been fitted.  Phoebe’s hair looks lovely in her new bob haircut but she is getting ready to lose her hair which she will find really hard.

Meanwhile 3 year old Reuben plays and chats his way through life, sometimes at home with Rachel and Phoebe, sometimes with us, sometimes at toddler group or nursery.  After Easter he is due to go to nursery for 3 hours each weekday morning.  He enjoys the familiarity of the toy box at our house, the park just over the road, and on Fridays taking Grandma to play with Ned, a friend from church who lives a few doors away from us.  He likes Grandpa to read him a story before and after his after-lunch nap!

During February when Phoebe was an inpatient and we were staying most of the time at the Lollars’ home, Marcus did very little of his usual work as trustee and treasurer of Friends of Mandritsara Trust.  Now we are based back at home he has been able to catch up again and is gradually getting the paperwork back under control – if he is not required for reading duty!  He is planning to go to London for the Friends of Mandritsara Prayer Day on April 25 at Tooting – if you are in that area, you are very welcome to go along and be encouraged by the latest news from the hospital and associated projects.

Some very kind friends from our church in Stevenage have invited us to share their chalet at Word Alive, a Christian holiday conference in North Wales.  Reuben is included in the invitation so on Saturday 28^th March the three of us will be off to enjoy a 5 day break together – it’s great to have something so positive to look forward to!