And hope does not disappoint Dear all, So it looks as if we are finally on our way to rehab tomorrow, a center called Vogtareuth, near Munich! We have been slated to go before, so I will believe that we are there when I see the entry gates with my own eyes. But the transport is scheduled for tomorrow a.m. between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Dad, Else, and I will follow along behind (yet another example of God's working--precisely as we were talking last week about how we will get to the rehab center, the telephone rang, and Rhona Dunphy, a Scottish friend, said, "Anna, we are off to Scotland for vacation, and got to wondering if you would be able to use our car for some time, say, three weeks or so. Would that be helpful?"). Dad will stay with us, and Mom will stay behind to help the Tim, Cyndi, and Jonathan Olson family pack us up for our move to Sioux Falls. We still do not know when we will be back, and will find that out probably in two weeks, after the center has a chance to evaluate Karl's condition. Karl is medically very stable. His head wounds from the latest surgery are healing nicely, and all of his basal functions are super. He is eating, and since yesterday, his eyes are moving much more freely in both directions. Today, early in the a.m. (our dear friend Amy Gebauer stayed the night and was up with him while Else and I slumbered away in the bed next to him), Karl began to vocalize again, but this time with more than a hint of his own voice rather than a gravelly, guttural sound. His arms are relaxing, as are his hands. For prayer, I ask that you continue to keep Karl's overall health in mind, and never stop asking God for Karl's complete restored health (something that the doctors all say is not outside of the realm of possibility, though they can promise nothing. They can promise nothing, and I understand that, but God, the God of promise, has and does. With God all things are possible!) Specifically and most immediately, we are concerned about his legs and feet, which remain very stiff. His legs can be convinced to be flexible, but it takes much work. We need them to loosen up so that he can walk and run again as he should. Yesterday it was six weeks since the accident. When we think of Karl seven weeks ago, it is crushing. But when we think of Karl two weeks ago, the heart lilts with hope! When I think of my understanding of the Gospel and of the community of the saints seven weeks ago, I realize that I "got it" superficially, but in reality was unaware of its true-ness, its substance, its tangible strength. But now, thanks to you, your prayers, your warm messages, and, quite obviously, to God's constancy in the midst of this tragedy, I know that God's hope is real. As Paul said, "...we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us." (Romans 5:3-5). I always found this text odd, but now know it rings nothing but true. I found myself telling my father last week that although I would never be thankful for this horrible turn of events, I am finding myself thanking God for the privilege of participating in this miracle of healing, in being so close to God's workings. Karl will do it, people. Karl will do it. Peace, Anna