Jessica is back in the USA

Hi everybody! I saw Pat Christensen at work the other day. She said she had read Jessica's blog that day. This made me feel excited to write again. Pat is so cute. For those of you that don't know her she is Kellie Knowle's, my brother David's wife's mother. Pat is always so cheerful and happy no matter what. She has had some very serious medical problems in her life but she always has a smile on her face. She laughs and makes the room just feel happy. Her husband Blaine loves her so much. If anybody ever wants to see an example of the perfect institution of marriage you can observe them. They are very devoted, loving and a wonderful examples of how marriage should be. Blaine was out in the waiting room holding Pat's purse in his lap. He is this big bank president but really protects and loves Pat. I told him his purse went perfect with his shoes. He said he had really worked on it. They are just cool people that we love.



Well here is the news you have been waiting for. Jessica is back from Croatia safe and sound. This is a miracle. I had some of her Dr's. at Huntsman say she would never make the trip alive. They did not know Jessica. When she had called yesterday she sounded very weak. She said she was tired but had such a wonderful experience. I can't wait to get all the details. She said she took so many pictures. They had driven from Seattle to Tri-City Washington and then on to Baker City Oregon. When in Tri-Cities she took her camera to Costco and got about half her pictures developed. They told her the one hour development promise could not apply. It took them three hours and she said she has a box full of wonderful pictures. So I will have Robert teach me how to upload pictures.



She said the trip was long. I think in Belgrad they had overbooked the plane and she did not have a seat. Uncle Dennis said he would stay behind and Jessica could go. At the last minute a seat opened up. Her luggage made it just fine too. She said for two days now she has not worn a bandanna on her head as he hair is like, "A short boy's cut but it feels great to not have a scarf on my head". They had taken a catamaran across the Baltic sea from the island they were on to Splits. They had spent the night in another one on her grandmother's houses. She said the family stayed up in a part that had not been occupied for years and was dusty and dirty. The bottom floor is a working kitchen. I guess like a restaurant. Jessica slept down in the kitchen on a twin bed where it was clean. I am so thankful for Grandma Annie, Grandpa Eugene and Aunt Shirley and Uncle Dennis for taking such perfect care of Jessica. After that night stay they went flew to the states with stops in several places in Germany I think. We can get all the details right when Jessica is home. She will stay and rest and visit her father in Baker City for about a week and then fly home so she can be to her Dr. Appointment with Dr. Zimpalic the oncology surgeon about her huge abdominal tumor on her uterus. As you my remember they did not want to do surgery as they felt she was too weak. I am anxious to hear what she thinks. Jessica has a lot of tumor pain.



In closing today I want to openly thank Heavenly Father for the blessing of Jessica having this experience. I went to bed last night with joy in my heart for all my many blessings. I am so thankful that we have a father in heaven that can watch over us. As parents we can turn our dear children over to him and he can keep them in the hallow of his hand. Jessica is going to take out her endowments when she gets home. We are so excited. Jessica and I plan on going to the temple as much as she has strength.

We are going to have a party for Jessica when she gets home so plan on attending everybody. I love you all and appreciate your support. Love Sandy.

Jessica's Trip to Croatia

Jessica and I flew to Seattle Washington where we met Steven the end of August. We decided that this was best to have Jessica rest a few days before flying off to Croatia on the 30th. She would have a 24 hour trip of nonstop travel to reach her destination. We had fun while we were in Seattle. Jessica had never been, I don't think Steven had either. We all went to Pike's Market. Jessica really enjoyed this as it was full, I mean full of fabulous flowers this time of year. She was able to watch the cute fishermen throw fish around and be show-offs. That was funny. The next day we met her cousins, Matt and Rebeca Dinger and we all rode the ferry over to an island. It was about a two hour trip all in all. We then ate really good seafood. The next day Jessica slept all day in preparation to her journey. Aunt Shirley and Uncle Dennis and Grandpa Perkins met she and Steven on Thursday the 30Th and then all but Steven flew off on the voyage. Jessica called two days later when she reached her destination. I could only talk to her for a brief minute and then she had to end as it was so expensive. She said it was very very long. She had traveled on planes, trains, automobiles and boats. She said she had slept every chance she could. She was exhausted but had reached the remote island in Croatia in the Baltic Sea at ten o'clock at night. She said she was staying in a 500 year old family home built by the Romans. She had gone to the home her grandmother had lived in and found some pictures of her great grandparents and her grandmother as a little girl. I ask if she had a good bed in this house and she said she slept in her own king sized bed. She said the country was indescribably beautiful. A message was left on Steven's phone that she was doing good. That is all we have heard. She comes home the end of this week, a two week stay. I pray she will have a safe and good trip home. We can't wait to see her again and give her a big hug. I love you my Jessica.